LAS VEGAS – In just a few days, the UFC flyweight division will need a new title challenger.
Saturday, Alexandre Pantoja defends his 125-pound belt against Joshua Van in the co-main event of UFC 323, which goes down at T-Mobile Arena. Should there not be an immediate rematch, a new title challenger would have to be appointed, and Tatsuro Taira believes he’s got the best matchup to determine that, as he takes on former champion Brandon Moreno on the same card.
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“After the last fight, I wanted a top-ranked, and hearing the name Brandon Moreno was the perfect opponent that I wanted,” Taira said through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 323 media day. “I think it would be the perfect match to determine the next title contender.”
Former Bellator and Rizin FF champion Kyoji Horiguchi looked good in his UFC return last month, which is why Taira (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) feels he needs to do something big in order to secure himself a shot at gold.
“Looking at Kyoji’s fight, I think he showed a great performance,” Taira said. “Obviously, that’s something we have to show this Saturday as well, make sure I finish Moreno – which he has never been finished – so give him his first finish. That’s what I have to show.”
Should Taira beat Moreno and get the next shot, the Japanese fighter isn’t too sure who he would end up fighting. He initially thought Pantoja would defend his belt, but now he’s having his doubts.
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“I’ve been asked this question so many times, and I’ve always answered the champ will win, Pantoja,” Taira said. “But being here in fight week and kind of seeing both and the condition, they look awesome. So I don’t know, I’d say 50-50 at this moment.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 323: Tatsuro Taira sees Brandon Moreno fight as No. 1 contender
