Tatsuro Taira remains undefeated after defeating Alex Perez by TKO in UFC main event

LAS VEGAS — Unbeaten Tatsuro Taira earned the biggest win of his UFC career by stopping Alex Perez in the second round in the main event of UFC on ESPN 58 at the UFC Apex.

However, the fight did not end the way Taira would have liked, as he took Perez down with a unique body triangle while holding him on his back, injuring his leg, causing Perez to collapse awkwardly and cry out in pain as he fell to the canvas.

“It's a special technique that only I can do,” Taira said after scoring the goal.

Although it was a surprising outcome, the 24-year-old Taira (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is beginning to settle in and show why he deserves to be in contention for the flyweight title.

The Okinawa, Japan-based UFC flyweight ranked #13 was originally scheduled to face Joshua Vann at UFC 302, but will instead face an opponent in the Apex who is gunning for a title shot.

Perez (25-9 MMA, 7-5 UFC), the No. 5-ranked UFC flyweight, came into the bout coming off a three-fight losing streak with a stunning second-round win over Matheus Nicolau in April. Despite being ranked higher, Perez was considered the underdog in the stakes, and the reasons for this became clear as the fight progressed.

Perez came on the offensive, landing combinations and leg kicks throughout the first round, but Taira regained his composure, fending off Perez's attacks and finishing Perez with a beautiful counter right late in the first round. Perez scored a takedown late in the round, but Taira quickly got back to his feet.

In the second round, Taira got into a rhythm and started to damage Perez with precision strikes and leg kicks.

After a delay due to Taira accidentally poking him in the eye, the Japanese fighter timed it perfectly to quickly take Perez to the mat. Taira quickly got behind Perez and went for a rear-naked choke. Sensing danger, Perez got to his feet, but found Taira had locked on a body triangle and was unable to shake it off.

In the finish, Taira wrapped around Perez's back and twisted his body trying to twist his leg free, causing Perez to make an awkward call and injuring his leg. Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout at 2 minutes, 59 seconds as Perez writhed in pain on the ground. Perez was eventually carried out of the Octagon on a stretcher.

With this win, Taira has almost certainly finished in the top five, his record is excellent and he is well within his grasp of a title shot.