Tatsuro Taira Says A Win Over Royval Gets Him A Title Shot

UFC APEX – UFC flyweight Tatsuro Taira takes his undefeated record into UFC Vegas 98 where he believes a win over Brandon Royval will get him a title shot.

“Definitely focused on this one (Royval), but thinking of title fights. I’ve always dreamed and though about the title fight,” Taira told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.

“That’s something I always have in mind.”

Taira (16-0) may be the closest thing to a star that Japanese MMA has in the UFC. Could a title fight finally bring the promotion back to Japan?

“I’d love to have UFC back in Japan. Am I the star? Hopefully I am. I want to be the star to bring that back to Japan,” he said.

In Royval he gets a former title challenger who’s seen his share of ups and downs in the promotion. With plenty to gain for Taira, including in ranking, he sees the fight as a title eliminator of sorts.

“Get this win and I think I’m going to get the title fight,” he said.

“(I’ll) keep pressuring from the first round. By second or third I’ll take the finish.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Tatsuro Taira above. He takes on Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 98 on Saturday night.