Main: Tatsuro Taira is interviewed after his win over Hyun Sung Park at UFC Vegas 108. Inset: Alexandre Pantoja poses with his UFC title in Rio de Janeiro ahead of his fight at UFC 301. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Tatsuro Taira gives confident prediction for Alexandre Pantoja’s next UFC title defense

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Aug 3, 2025 8:53 AM ET

Tatsuro Taira put himself into the title mix at UFC Vegas 108, and he has predicted the fight that could determine who he challenges down the line.

All eyes were on the flyweight division at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, as the highly touted Taira returned in the main event to do battle with South Korea’s Hyung Sung Park in a short-notice matchup.

The Japanese star bounced back from his close loss to Brandon Royval last time out in style, submitting Park 66 seconds into round two with a face crank.

With that, Taira has reignited his push toward the throne. And when he gets there, the 25-year-old is evidently expecting the current king to still reign.

Who do you want to see @TatsuroTaira in the Octagon with next? #UFCVegas108 pic.twitter.com/e56NjD5pl1
— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2025

Tatsuro Taira reveals what will win Alexandre Pantoja the fight against Joshua Van

Alexandre Pantoja faced off with Joshua Van after his successful title defense against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 this past June. Van defeated Royval on the same night to make it victories at back-to-back pay-per-views for the rising Burmese fighter.

Unsurprisingly, that matchup is now set to mark the fifth defense in Pantoja’s reign, the success of which has seen the Brazilian fast approach legendary territory on MMA’s biggest stage.

Against Van, Taira expects ‘The Cannibal’ to move a step closer to Demetrious Johnson’s numerous records in the 125-pound division. And if all goes to plan, the UFC Vegas 108 headline victor will be there to meet Pantoja next.

“(The way Van has risen up the ranks) and got up to that title contention, very surprising,” Taira told MMA Fighting ahead of his victory on August 2.

“But a lot of inspiration I get from him, gives a lot of energy to me as well. So I’m excited to see how that fight goes (against Pantoja).

“I’ll wait to see who wins between Pantoja and Van and hopefully I get the next shot,” Taira continued. “Pantoja has proven a lot. It’ll be a jiu-jitsu vs. boxing battle, for sure. I think Pantoja’s jiu-jitsu will win the fight.”

Tatsuro Taira was once booked to fight Joshua Van

Taira is well placed to preview Van’s expected title challenge, having previously been preparing to fight the 23-year-old himself.

The Japanese contender was briefly matched up with Van for UFC 302, an event headlined by Islam Makhachev’s submission win over Dustin Poirier in June 2024.

Plans changed a few weeks after Taira vs. Van was announced and the former instead headlined a UFC Fight Night at the Apex against Alex Perez in his following fight.

Meanwhile, Van was knocked out by Charles Johnson. While that result left him far from the title picture, five straight wins since, including three this calendar year, have fast-tracked ‘The Fearless’ to the top.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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