UFC will once again host “Fight Night” at the APEX on Saturday night, with the main event being a matchup between key flyweight contenders, featuring Alex Perez (25-8 MMA, 7-4 UFC) taking on unbeaten Japanese sensation Tatsuro Taira (15-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC), who is on a 24-fight winning streak, including amateur bouts.
Taira made his UFC debut a little over two years ago and has had five successful appearances in the Octagon, most recently against Carlos Hernandez in December 2023. It was his first fight in five months and he knocked Hernandez out with a powerful left hook in the second round.
Perez, meanwhile, comes into the bout having lost two of his last three fights, with a few cancellations thrown in between. It's been a quick recovery for Perez, who last competed at APEX in April, where he won by decision over fellow challenger Matheus Nicolau. Nicolau has won four of his last five fights, with his lone loss coming against Brandon Royval.
There are currently 11 bouts scheduled for the card. The preliminary bout between Tagir Uranbekov and Joshua Vann was removed from the tournament because Uranbekov exceeded the flyweight limit at 129.5 pounds. The remaining fighters on the card, including the main event participants, made it safely to weigh in.
UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Tyra loses again in big bout on weigh-in day
Now, Sports Illustrated's MMA Knockout has you covered with the newly announced fight order (subject to change), betting odds, start times and where you can watch the card.
• Main Event: Alex Perez (+170) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-205)
• Co-Main Event: Miles Johns (-148) vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade (+124)
• Lucas Almeida (+164) vs. Timmy Cuamba (-198)
• As Almabaev vs. Jose Johnson
• Garrett Armfield (-205) vs. Brady Hiestand (+170)
• Adam Fugit (+105) vs. Josh Quinlan (-125)
• Nate Maness (-550) vs. Jimmy Flick (+410)
• Carli Giudice (+140) vs. Gabriela Fernandez (-166)
• Jecha Zaragi (-360) vs. Wetin Wilson (+280)
• Chaylan Nueldombieque (+160) vs. Melquizael Costa (-192)
• Julia Polastri (+154) vs. Josefine Knutsson (-185)
Odds provided by the UFC section of DraftKings Sportsbook.
This marks UFC's 20th event of the year and third consecutive this month, having held events in New Jersey and Kentucky earlier this month.
UFC Fight Night: Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira live results and highlights
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*Game odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.
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