A top Japanese prospect will be making making his promotional debut this April.
On Wednesday, UFC officials added a flyweight bout between Tatsuro Taira and Carlos Candelario to the promotion’s April 30, 2022 Fight Night event. The bout is now reflected on the UFC’s Japanese language website.
Taira (10-0) made serious waves in Shooto the past few years, claiming the promotion’s flyweight championship last July. He followed that up with a win over Alfredo Muaiad in Vale Tudo Japan in November.
Impressively, Taira has been facing and defeating competition with vastly more experience than himself, including Yoshiro Maeda, who was 38-18-3 when they met in March of last year.
Carlos Candelario lost a split decision on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021 — but was still the recipient of a UFC contract regardless. The appearance was his second on DWCS, with the loss snapping his eight-fight win streak. To that point, Candelario had been undefeated as a professional.
The UFC’s April 30, 2022 Fight Night card is expected to take place at the Apex in Las Vegas. Thus far, the follow bouts have been reported for the event:
- Cortney Casey vs. Antonina Shevchenko
- Gina Mazany vs. Shanna Young
- Francisco Figueiredo vs. Daniel da Silva
- Mike Breeden vs. Natan Levy
- Gabe Green vs. Yohan Lainesse
- Jessica Penne vs. Luana Pinheiro
- Rafael Alves vs. Jared Gordon
- Tatsuro Taira vs. Carlos Candelario
