Tatsuro Taira gets win as injury stops Alex Perez

Field Level Media|published: Sun 16th June, 02:12 2024

Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Tatsuro Taira (red gloves) reacts to defeating Edgar Chairez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Tatsuro Taira extended his unbeaten mark to 16-0-0 with a second-round technical knockout of Alex Perez, who sustained a leg injury in their main event flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Perez (25-9-0), of the U.S., began the night as UFC's fifth-ranked flyweight contender, while Taira, sitting 13th, was looking to break into the top 10. After his win, Taira, of Japan, called for a shot at flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja. It would be Taira's first opportunity in a title bout.

Perez led in total strikes (45-43) and significant strikes (41-31).

In a bantamweight co-main event, Miles Johns of the U.S. won a decision over Douglas Silva de Andrade of Brazil.

Johns (15-2-0) won his fourth straight match, while Silva de Andrade (29-6-0) lost for the second time in his last three fights. Johns landed 52 total strikes to 36 for Silva de Andrade, and he led in significant strikes as well, 50-36.

Also, featherweight Lucas Almeida of Brazil defeated Timothy Cuamba of the U.S. by decision.

Almeida improved to 15-3-0, while Cuamba fell to 8-3-0.

--Field Level Media