UFC 328: Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira Preview & Prediction
A flyweight title fight serves as the co-main event of the evening, with Joshua Van poised to throw down against Tatsuro Taira in his first defence of the 125 pound strap.
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira facts
What time are Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Prudential Center, Newark, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 328
What TV channel is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland main card
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland (Middleweight)
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo-Cortes Acosta (Heavyweight)
Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
King Green vs Jeremy Stephens (Lightweight)
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland prelims
Ateba Gautier vs Osman Diaz (Middleweight)
Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov (Welterweight)
Grant Dawson vs Mateusz Rebecki (Lightweight)
Jim Miller vs Jared Gordon (Lightweight)
Roman Kopylov vs Marco Tulio (Middleweight)
Pat Sabatini vs William Gomis (Featherweight)
Baisangur Susurkaev vs Djorden Santos (Middleweight)
Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Joshua Van: "The Fearless" looks to prove that he's no paper champion in emphatic fashion
125 pound kingpin, Joshua Van (16-2) makes the first defense of his title after winning the belt against Alexandre Pantoja in controversial fashion. “The Cannibal” suffered a fight ending injury posting out after Van caught a kick, crowning a new king of the division in decidedly anti-climactic fashion. The vitriol Van has attracted for the manner of his victory over Pantoja seems to have distracted many from the fact he’s still undoubtedly one of the best young talents in the division, standing as one of the best strikers at flyweight with a belt around his waist at the tender age of 24.
Tatsuro Taira: Can the flyweight phenom become the first Japanese UFC champion in history?
Perfect outside of a decision loss to Brandon Royval, Tatsuro Taira (18-1) makes his first appearance in a UFC title fight off the back of an impressive TKO victory over the former champion, Brandon Moreno, last time out at UFC 323. A superb grappler with ever improving striking ability, the 26 year old phenom has largely run roughshod over his opposition since joining the promotion back in 2022, earning six finishes in eight victories along the way. As such, it's always felt like a question of "when?" rather than "if?" he would eventually find himself in a championship opportunity.
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira prediction
Many will point to the pair’s mutual opponent, Brandon Royval, for an indicator as to how this one might play out. Van ultimately bested “Raw Dog” in a FOTY contender that earned him a title shot, with Taira coming out on the wrong end of a decision in his five round main event against Royval.
Van has been the subject of much ridicule for the manner of his victory over Alexandre Pantoja, but he’s solid value as the underdog here. “The Fearless” throws - and lands - at a ridiculously accurate and frequent clip, with his fight against Royval underlining the power that he also carries in his punches. Taira is a quality grappler but it’s easy to envision Van lighting him up during extended exchanges on the feet.
With that being said, the champ hasn’t proven to be impervious to takedown attempts from considerably lower ranked opposition; something that bodes ill when faced with a grappler of Taira’s ability. Even if he’s unable to work his grappling straight away, “The Best” also has a considerable size advantage over Van and also exhibited much improved striking during his most recent fight against Brandon Moreno.
There’s also the X-factor that Van was the fighter who caused the matchup to be shifted from UFC 327 at the eleventh hour. It’s not inconceivable that he’s still nursing a lingering injury; one could argue that in a matchup this close, it’s enough to sway it in favour of the Japanese fighter. However, the pick is still “The Fearless” to eventually take advantage of Taira’s lackluster striking defense, dropping the first round before gradually piling on the pressure to score a late rounds TKO.
Prediction: Joshua Van to win by TKO
