UFC flyweight Tatsuro Taira wasn’t bothered by the opponent change now that he faces Hyun Sung Park at UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday night.
It’s something that’s he and his team have trained for in a way.
“Obviously the opponent change, short-notice, last minute, but I’ve been preparing very well. My team has been very supportive and I’ve been working on my strength to get stronger and get better,” Taira told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.
“I train with a lot of fighters from my team so I’m actually prepared to fight anyone.”
Taira (16-1) is coming off a loss to Brandon Royval in October. The lessons he took from that bout he brings into the octagon against Park on Saturday.
“I learned a lot from that fight, and gaining experience as well. Now I’m fighting Hyun Sung Park who is younger opponent so it’s my turn to show the experience and what UFC fighters are,” he said.
Taira has posted on Instagram a sort of cryptic quote saying, “When one door closes, another opens, let’s go have a fire.” The flyweight seemed to look for the silver lining once he lost out on fighting Albazi.
“The post was made when Park came in. Albazi was out, now I have a new opponent, and just felt like there’s fire burning in my heart. Getting ready for the new opponent and happy that I’m still able to fight on this second day of August,” said Taira.
Earlier in the day Park had made a prediction that he will finish Taira in the second or third round. Taira didn’t show much emotion, but clearly stated what he believes will be a tough lesson for his opponent on Saturday night.
“I would say this will be the first time Park will be fighting against a fighter at my level. Likely in the first round he will understand that what he said was a mistake,” he said.
Watch the entire media day scrum with Tatsuro Taira above. He headlines UFC Vegas 108 against Hyun Sung Park on Saturday night.
