On “Spinning Back Clique,” our panel discusses Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303, the booking of Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka, more.
Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.
This week’s panel of Farah Hannoun, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:
The UFC 303 and [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] saga has finally come to an end. Unfortunately, the Irish superstar has been ruled out of his return at UFC 303 on June 29 due to injury. This is devastating news for McGregor, but what exactly does this mean for his career? Where does this leave his opponent [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]? We break it all down.
McGregor’s injury did not affect Chandler alone. This forced the UFC to strengthen the International Fight Week event by adding new bouts, including a light heavyweight title fight between [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] and [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] for the main event, and a pivotal featherweight bout between [autotag]Brian Ortega[/autotag] and [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] in the co-main. Additionally, [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] suffered an injury and was replaced by [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] for his fight against [autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag]. We chat about the latest updates for UFC 303.
This past Saturday, young, Japanese rising contender [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag] got past his toughest test – former UFC title challenger [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag]. In a competitive bout, Perez suffered a knee injury while Taira had his back, thus losing by TKO. What’s Taira’s potential? Where does he go next? We discuss.
The UFC’s debut event in Saudi Arabia this Saturday has a new main event. [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] pulled out due to illness, and now [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] will take on undefeated [autotag]Ikram Aliskerov[/autotag]. We break down the new main event, along with the rest of the card.
Injuries are part of the game in MMA, but there’s nothing worse than one ends a marquee UFC fight.
While the term “freak injury” might not be appropriate to use when discussing a sport that is inherently dangerous, 14 UFC main events have ended in unforeseen injuries – broken legs, separated shoulders, eye pokes, etc. – that don’t typically come in the sequence of MMA combat.
Scroll below to see a chronology of UFC main events that ended in that nature.
Note: Injuries sustained on a TKO due to strikes or tapout due to a submission are not included, nor are retirements on the stool due to extended fight damage or exhaustion. Laceration-based stoppages also are not included since they come as an intentional result of the opposition’s attack.
UFC on ESPN 58 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.
LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 58 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $116,000.
The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.
UFC on ESPN 58 took place at the UFC Apex. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
The full UFC on ESPN 58 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,580; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $58,000 while title challengers get $58,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-58 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
Undefeated flyweight Tatsuro Taira emerged victorious in the UFC on ESPN 58 main event, although not in a manner he expected.
Japan’s [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag] kept his unbeaten record intact, but an injury to Alex Perez was an anti-climactic finish to an exciting flyweight bout.
In the UFC on ESPN 58 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Taira (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) would see his hand raised after Perez (25-9 MMA, 7-5 UFC) could no longer continue due to a knee injury in a takedown sequence. The official time of the stoppage was 2:59 of Round 2.
The action was fast and frequent as long as it lasted, with the flyweights keeping referee Herb Dean light on his feet.
Taira started the fight working behind a left jab with clean technical striking, while Perez blitzed forward with combinations. Taira weathered his opponent’s offense, eating a few clean strikes on the chin, consistently fired back immediately. Round 1 was intense and built anticipation for how the rest of the fight would unfold.
Perez continued his forward blitzing in Round 2, making for more nice striking exchanges early in the frame. Taira found an entry for a takedown and quickly scrambled take Perez’s back, which would lead to the unfortunate ending of the fight.
Initially on the mat hunting for a rear-naked choke, Taira remained firmly attached to Perez’s back as he stood up. In the center of the cage, Taira leaned back while putting pressure on Perez’s legs in an attempt to get the fight back to the ground. He was successful, but Perez’s knee gave out as they went down.
Perez tapped and began writhing in pain as the cageside physician quickly entered to assess the situation.
Taira, 24, one of the brightest rising stars in the flyweight division, remains undefeated and now holds a win over a former title challenger. While he could not anticipate an injury would be the cause of his win, he improved to 6-0 in the UFC, a run that includes four finishes.
Perez, 32, entered on the heels of a Performance of the Night upset stoppage over Matheus Nicolau in April. Unfortunately, an injury cut short what was a competitive bout against Taira.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 58 results include:
Tatsuro Taira def. Alex Perez via TKO (knee injury) – Round 2, 2:59
Analyzing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 58 odds between Alex Perez and Tatsuro Taira, with MMA picks and predictions.
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In a 5-round flyweight bout in the main event, Alex Perez and Tatsuro Taira meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 58 — also known as UFC Vegas 93 — at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC on ESPN 58: Perez vs. Tatsuro odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.
The prelims begin at 7 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ESPN2/ESPN+, while the main card starts at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+.
Records: Perez (25-8-0) | Tatsuro (15-0-0)
The 32-year-old Perez fights in his 2nd consecutive main event since battling for the flyweight title against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 255. Perez lost that fight in Round 1 via submission, and he has dropped 3 of the past 4 fights total. He did snap a 3-bout skid with a 2nd-round KO/TKO last time out in a main event against Matheus Nicolau in late April.
Taira has won all 5 of his fights since arriving at the UFC level in May 2022. That includes a 2nd-round KO/TKO win over Carlos Hernandez last time out. He has had finishes in 3 of his past 4 fights, with the KO/TKO and 2 submission victories, while posting a unanimous-decision win over Edgar Chairez at UFC 290.
Taira holds a 4.5-inch reach advantage, while Perez has a slight 4.10-to-3.51 significant strikes landed per minute advantage. Taira is far more accurate at 74.17% with those strikes, while Perez checks in at just 54.41%. Both are decent on the takedown, posting similar numbers, but Taira has a 2.42 submission average, so it might behoove Perez to avoid going to the mat.
Taira (-200) heads into this one having already cracked the top 15 among flyweights, and he has designs of much bigger things. The prospect is on the fast track, and a win over a previous contender like Perez would be a nice resume builder. However, risking 2 times your potential return is not a recommended wager.
Perez (+165) is a tempting play, as he is ranked No. 5 among the flyweights and still a very dangerous fighter. The key for Perez will be to avoid going to the canvas, where Taira is a beast in the submission game. Perez has an 82% takedown defense, so he’ll do his best to remain upright. He also has a 59% striking defense, and he has the experience to deal Taira his 1st loss at the UFC level.
However, Perez has lost via submission twice in the past 4 fights, while the favorite has 2 wins via submission in the past 4 outings. It might not be quick, but TAIRA BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+100) on the 5-way line at even-money is a strong play.
OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-145) is a strong play. The wily veteran Perez won’t let Taira catch him with a knockout blow, and the only way this fight ends earlier than the middle of Round 3 is if Perez ends up going to the canvas, falling into the dangerous web of Taira, who is tremendous in the rear-naked choke and triangle choke.
Taira has ended up going the distance twice in 5 fights since arriving at the UFC level, while Perez went the distance in early March in a unanimous-decision loss to Muhammad Mokaev.
However, while I think this fight can go past the midway point of Round 3, it isn’t likely to go the distance.
Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.
Tatsuro Taira is younger and undefeated, but has he been tested by someone with Alex Perez’s veteran savvy?
MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC on ESPN 57 main event between former flyweight title challenger [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] and [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag].
Supplemental info:
+ Tachi Palace flyweight title
+ Wrestling base
+ Multiple wrestling accolades
+ 6 KO victories
+ 7 submission wins
+ 11 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Improved striking ability
^ Combinations and bodywork
+ Hard calf kicks
+ Excellent wrestling ability
+ Solid transitional grappler
^ Dangerous from front-headlock
+/- 2-2 in the UFC Apex
Supplemental info:
+ Shooto flyweight title
+ Amateur MMA accolades
+ 4 knockout victories
+ 7 submission wins
+ 8 first-round finishes
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Steadily improving striking
^ Hard kicks from the left side
+ Serviceable takedown ability
^ Chains well against the fence
+ Excellent transitional grappler
^ Superb back-taker
+/- 4-0 in the UFC Apex
Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira point of interest: Flyweight fisticuffs
Alex Perez
The main event in Las Vegas features an interesting pairing of flyweight talents who continue to progress in the striking realm.
Despite growing up as a wrestler, [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] has developed more and more of a taste for the striking arts since stepping onto the MMA scene.
Initially implementing more of a wrestle-boxing style to start his career, Perez has steadily refined his approach after years spent working with Team Oyama and company. Applying better feints and footwork, Perez will typically prod with jabs off of a high guard as he looks to make his way inside.
Perez displays a decent ability to slip to the outside, usually looking to change levels off it by going to the body. This range of motion also lends itself to the left hooks and leg kicks that the 32-year-old contender has been punctuating his combinations with – skills that were on full display in his fight opposite Jussier Formiga.
Nevertheless, Perez will still need to respect continual striking improvements of [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag].
Fighting his frame and stylistic sensibilities, Taira will typically look to play all the way in or all the way out when it comes to his operating range.
At distance, Taira looks to set up long straight shots off his in-and-out movement. When feeling in stride, Taira will attach solid kicks to his combinations.
Although Taira’s switch kick from his left side could serve him well against a wrestle-boxer like Perez, the Japanese fighter will likely be looking to get to his A game given that he’s the less proven competitor in the pocket.
Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira breakdown: Winning the wrestling
Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Tatsuro Taira (red gloves) fights Edgar Chairez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Considering the arguable crux of Taira’s game, winning the wrestling will be paramount for both fighters this weekend.
A talented back-taker who is steadily rounding out his surrounding skill set, Taira appears to have no illusions as to where his bread is buttered.
Not only is Taira patient when it comes to setting up his shots, but the Japanese fighter does not seem easily discouraged when failing on his first attempt.
Akin to great MMA grapplers like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Taira looks to be perfectly content with using his first shot to drive his opposition toward to octagon walls. From there, Taira will chain to and from single-legs to trip takedowns that allow him to drag the fight into his world.
Nevertheless, I’m not sure how much success Taira will have when it comes to dictating grappling exchanges with a wrestler like Perez.
Indoctrinated into wrestling from a young age, Perez followed the path of his brothers, Julian Perez and Silverio Esparza (who were also Lemoore High School wrestling champs), excelling as a two-time divisional champ who maintained a top-12 state ranking for his weight class. And by his sophomore year at West Hills College Lemoore, Perez received All-American honors before eventually crossing over into MMA.
Stumbling into his fair share of submission losses on a deceptively tough regional circuit, Perez’s transition into MMA certainly wasn’t an easy one. But since his time spent on the Tachi Palace scene, Perez has appeared to make some serious strides, displaying the ability to both finish and control fighters at a high level.
Whether Perez is chaining off of singles and doubles in the open or getting things done inside of the clinch, the former Selma High School wrestling coach can pretty much do it all. And when he’s able to establish his favored front-headlock position, Perez is quick to abuse a plethora of options that range from front-chokes to back-takes, often chaining them off of each other (as seen in his fight with Carls John de Thomas).
However, if Perez does find himself underneath Taira this Saturday, then he’ll need to be careful with the back exposure that his wrestling-style getups typically offer.
A sign you know Taira is a good grappler:
Takes the back and immediately uses his hook to turn Vergara so Taira's hook is on bottom That stops Vergara from sliding out and Taira can lock the figure 4
— William – Open Note Grappling 📝 (@OpenNoteGrapple) June 13, 2024
Taira may still be developing large parts of his game, but the 24-year-old’s back-taking abilities are potent beyond his years. Whether Taira is looking for rear-naked chokes or baiting escapes that lead to armlocks, the native of Japan will be extremely dangerous anytime he attaches himself to Perez.
Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira odds
The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the undefeated fighter, listing Taira -205 and Perez +158 via FanDuel.
Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira prediction, pick
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 06: Alex Perez celebrates after his TKO victory over Jussier Formiga in their flyweight bout during the UFC 250 event at UFC APEX on June 06, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Despite my excitement for a new Japanese prospect with promise, I can’t say that I agree with the betting line listed above.
I get that Taira is undefeated and the younger party at play, but the 24-year-old has only been training martial arts for 9 years and is still largely unproven against top-level talent.
More importantly, I’m seeing way too many advantages for the underdog Perez from a stylistic perspective.
Not only does Perez have the wrestling ability to dictate grappling exchanges (as seen in a fight that he arguably won against another super prospect in Muhammad Mokaev), but the 32-year-old also has some crushing calf kicks that can potentially punish the stance of Taira considering the success past opponents have had on the Japanese fighter.
And though Taira is the more noted submission threat on paper, I also wouldn’t be shocked to see Perez catching him from the front-headlock position given that Taira will willingly put his neck in precarious positions in order to get his grappling going. For that reason, I can’t help but side with the American to deal out a classic “vet lesson” this Saturday.
The official pick is Perez to force a stoppage via strikes in round 2.
Prediction: Perez inside the distance
Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira start time, where to watch
As the main event, Perez and Taira are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 12:30 a.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 58.
The main event for the UFC’s latest home show is official after the headliners made weight Friday.
LAS VEGAS – The main event for the UFC’s latest home show is official after the headliners made weight Friday.
Ahead of UFC on ESPN 58 (ESPN2/ESPN+), which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex, former flyweight title challenger [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 7-4 UFC) and the unbeaten [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) stepped on the scale at the official weigh-ins, with both registering at 126 pounds.
Check out the video from their trips to the scale above.
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 58.
Watch Alex Perez put an end to his three-fight losing skid with his brutal KO over Matheus Nicolau back in April.
[autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] reminded the world in his last outing that he’s still one of the world’s best at 125 pounds.
On a three-fight win streak and winless since 2020, Perez shocked many when he viciously knocked out top contender Matheus Nicolau in the main event of UFC on ESPN 55 in April. Perez connected with a right hand on the chin that sent the Brazilian straight to the canvas in the second round of their contest.
You can watch Perez’s most recent win in the video above.
Perez (25-8 MMA, 7-4 UFC) returns this Saturday in his third fight of 2024. He takes on rising Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira (15-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the headliner of UFC on ESPN 58, which goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Alex Perez plans to take the hype of undefeated Japanese sensation Tatsuro Taira in the UFC on ESPN 58 main event.
[autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] is happy to put his ranking on the line against undefeated Tatsuro Taira in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 58 main event.
Former flyweight title challenger Perez (24-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) considers himself to be one of the true fighters in his weight class. He thinks he’s proving that again by accepting a five-round fight against surging Japanese contender Taira (15-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in a headlining act at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN2, ESPN+).
“People ask me, ‘Why did you take this fight? You could’ve got a top-five guy?’ I’m just here to fight,” Perez told MMA Junkie at Thursday’s media day. “If I keep winning, the title shot will be here. This guy’s a top prospect. He has a lot of hype behind him. I can take his hype when I beat him this weekend.”
Perez, 32, had been plagued with injuries and fight cancellations over several years leading up to UFC on ESPN 55 in April, where he reintroduced himself with a second-round knockout of Matheus Nicolau.
Now Perez, No. 5 in the official UFC rankings, looks to build momentum against No. 13-ranked Taira and show he’s not going to be used as a stepping stone.
“He’s 15-0 for a reason,” Perez said. “I know he was a champ outside the UFC. He’s fought really good guys. People are like, ‘Ah, it’s going to be an easy fight.’ He’s tough, very good striker, doesn’t really get hit a lot, very good grappler. Usually a lot of Japanese guys I’ve trained with in the past are very good grapplers and very good strikers. They don’t really have that blend. He has that blend.
“He is a tough guy. He’s very good. If you’ve seen his fights, he’s been able to drop people, been able to sub people, been able to go to decision. I’m excited for the challenge. I want to be the guy that solves that puzzle.”
Perez is confident in his chances to get the job done, and he said so long as he stays within himself, he will be successful.
“The key to victory for me is just go out there and have fun and do my thing,” Perez said. “When I’m having fun and when I’m working, no one can beat me.”
[lawrence-related id=2747363,2747374,2747329]
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 58.
In need of a main event, the UFC is turning to what could be its next big Japanese star.
In need of a main event, the UFC is turning to what could be its next big Japanese star.
Undefeated flyweight [autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag] has been booked to meet former title challenger [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag] in a UFC Fight Night headliner June 15 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Monday after it was initially reported by Marcel Dorff on X.
In order to book the main event, the UFC split a pair of matchups as Perez, No. 5 in the official UFC flyweight rankings, originally was slated to fight Tagir Ulanbekov on June 15, while No. 13 Taira was supposed to face Joshua Van on June 1 at UFC 302. As a result, Ulanbekov and Van will square off on the June 15 UFC Fight Night lineup.
Since joining the UFC in 2022, Taira, 24, is 5-0 with three stoppages. He most recently defeated Carlos Hernandez by second-round TKO last December to push his overall record to 15-0.
Perez, 32, will make a relatively quick turnaround as he’s coming off a second-round knockout of Matheus Nicolau on April 27. The victory snapped a three-fight skid, which included a title-fight loss to then-champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
Below is the current UFC Fight Night lineup for July 15:
