Japanese flyweight standout Tatsuro Taira got his toughest test to date at UFC 323, taking on former champ Brandon Moreno.
Taira was coming in off a win over Hyun-Sung Park, a short-notice fill-in after Amir Albazi withdrew from the August match-up.
Tatsuro shot in on a takedown about a minute into the fight, but in a wild scramble, it was Moreno getting in control. Albeit on his back, Moreno was able to lock up a triangle, trapping Taira. The pair were in close against the fence, and Taira, while not in immediate danger, had to be wary of Moreno tightening things up. By the final minute of the round, Taira was still in the triangle, but in no more danger, and was punching the body of Moreno. Taira would finally break free at the end of the frame, with all of 15 seconds on the clock.
Round two had the pair slowly circling at center, each man looking for a way inside. Taira would finally land a takedown, getting on top; in a scramble, Moreno nearly escaped but instead, Taira took the back. Taira had a body triangle, but let up on it, switching to hooks as Moreno went belly down. Taira began unloading some serious ground n’ pound, as Moreno covered up. Soon enough, the ref waved it off, and while Brandon Moreno protested, Tatsuro Taira had the TKO victory – becoming the first to finish Moreno!
Replay showed Moreno was still moving, trying to reposition himself, while covering up as the ref waved things off, adding some credence to his complaint about the stoppage. Still, the result will stand, and Taira now has a victory over a two-time champ in the UFC.
“Give me the title shot baby!” Taira called out after the win.
Official Result: Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno by TKO, Round 2, 2:24
