The reigning UFC flyweight champion, Joshua Van, is set to face a highly promising and dynamic challenger from the division for his inaugural title defense, scheduled for later this year.
Though only a few weeks have passed since he secured the UFC flyweight championship, the current titleholder, Joshua Van, is eager to arrange his initial title defense without delay. Van claimed the championship belt at UFC 323 by overcoming Alexandre Pantoja, following an injury Pantoja sustained mere minutes into their bout.
Shortly after the conclusion of UFC 323, the prevailing expectation for the division’s subsequent championship contest was a rematch involving Van and Pantoja. Pantoja had held the title for an extended period and is widely considered among the sport’s all-time elite flyweight competitors.
While Pantoja’s camp has conveyed confidence regarding a potential return timeline, the former UFC flyweight champion still lacks a precise schedule for his re-entry into the Octagon. Consequently, Van will engage in combat against one of the division’s formidable challengers for his initial defense of the championship.
Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira Scheduled, Rumored for UFC 327
During a recent question-and-answer event held at UFC Houston, Van disclosed to the audience that he had recently entered into an agreement to compete against Tatsuro Taira (18-1-0) in his upcoming match. Both Taira and Van secured victories at UFC 323 in December, with Taira notably overcoming former champion Brandon Moreno via a second-round finish.
Taira has made a strong recovery subsequent to experiencing his inaugural professional loss to Brandon Royval through a split decision in October 2024. Prior to his triumph over Moreno at UFC 323, Taira bested Hyun-Sung Park in what was his second UFC main event appearance of his career.
Subsequent to Van’s disclosure, reports emerged from Krazy Kev MMA, which were subsequently corroborated by MMA reporter Marcel Dorff, indicating that the contest between Van and Taira is slated for UFC 327 in Miami. At the present moment, the UFC has not made an official declaration regarding the Van vs. Taira bout.
What are your initial thoughts on the potential outcome of the Joshua Van versus Tatsuro Taira matchup? Share your insights below!
