UFC Vegas 93 wasn't without its challenges, with last-minute cancellations and the removal of two separate bouts throwing the original lineup into disarray, but the main event, headlined by 24-year-old Japanese up-and-comer Tatsuro Taira, managed to salvage the night, impressing fight fans and earning a major boost to his status as a top contender in UFC's powerful flyweight division.
Undefeated Japanese flyweight fighter Taira faced battle-hardened veteran and former Dana White Contender Series fighter Alex Perez in the five-round main event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC Las Vegas 93 Main Event: Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira
The main event at UFC Las Vegas 93 featured No. 5-ranked flyweight Alex Perez (25-8-0) against No. 13-ranked and unbeaten Tatsuro Taira (15-0-0). The bout was scheduled for five rounds, but Taira, a talented grappler, wasn't going to rely on the judges' score as he got a foothold on Perez early on in the bout.
The bout began with both fighters trying to get to their feet and regroup, trading leg kicks and slowly trying to close the offensive distance.
One of the techniques Taira used consistently throughout the fight was the Thai clinch, where he held onto Perez's head.
Perez, being the veteran he is, was able to fend off these attacks and eventually managed to push Taira against the cage and clinch.
The 32-year-old former UFC title challenger began to gain momentum in the striking battle, landing a number of body shots in the pocket and stabilizing with powerful leg kicks.
While Perez appeared to have the advantage over Taira in the first round's striking, the biggest blow of the round was a powerful right uppercut from Taira that backed Perez up against the cage.
With about a minute left in the first round, Taira accidentally poked Perez in the eye while trying to gauge his striking distance.
As the first round ended, Perez appeared to be finding success, landing successive punches in a menacing Thai-style clinch.
The second round saw the same dynamic continue, with both fighters trading heavy leg kicks and Taira beginning to threaten the clinch, while Perez continued to land inside punches to the body and head.
The bout was stopped again after Taira accidentally poked Perez in the eye twice, but Perez shook off the thrusts and quickly resumed the fight.
The two met halfway and began a kickboxing match, trading punches and kicks.
In the end, Taira found his greatest strength in this flyweight bout was his grappling ability, as the 25-year-old phenom landed a deft takedown near the cage.
Taira, an elite Japanese grappler, quickly got behind Perez and applied a body triangle on the veteran, from which Taira threatened a choke or face crank on a shaken Perez.
In the center of the Octagon, Taira used his legs to take down Perez, but the move proved to be the end of the fight, as Perez suffered a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament as he was pushed to the Octagon mat.
Taira landed a flurry of punches on the hurt Perez, forcing the veteran to tap after a series of blows.
The final result of the main event of UFC Las Vegas 93 was a TKO victory for Tatsuro Taira due to a knee injury.
Taira spoke to the media following his impressive second-round win over Alex Perez, and you can watch his comments here, courtesy of MMA Junkie on YouTube.
Remaining results from UFC Las Vegas 93
Main Card:
- (135 lbs) Myles Johns defeated Douglas Silva de Andrade Decision via
- (145 lbs) Lucas Almeida defeated Timmy Cuamba decision
- (125 lbs) As Almabaev defeated Jose Johnson decision
- (135 pounds) Brady Heistand defeated Garrett Armfield R3 via submission (rear-naked choke)
- (170 pounds) Adam Fugitt defeated Josh Quinlan Decision via
Qualifiers:
- (125 lbs) Nathan Maness defeated Jimmy Flick Decision via
- (125 lbs.) Gabriella Fernandez defeated Kari Giudice Decision via
- (145 lbs) Westin Wilson defeated Jeka Saragi R1 submission (triangle armbar)
- (145 lbs.) Melquizael Costa defeated Shaylan Nueldambieque Via R3 submission (face crank)
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