Alexandre Pantoja is recovering from injury, but Tatsuro Taira is already looking to face him in a historic fight in Japan.
What's at stake for Alexandre Pantoja?
Tatsuro Taira is set to fight Joshua Van at UFC 328, but he's already eyeing a fight against Alexandre Pantoja, who he calls a great and legendary champion.
Taira has met Pantoja multiple times and has expressed his respect for the former champion.
Why does Tatsuro Taira want to fight Alexandre Pantoja?
Taira wants to fight all the top contenders, and Pantoja is at the top of his list, with Taira stating he's ready to take the championship away from Pantoja.
The flyweight division is heating up, with Taira emerging as a compelling domestic challenger.
What comes next for Alexandre Pantoja and Tatsuro Taira?
A fight between Taira and Pantoja on Japanese soil would be one of the most significant UFC events in the country's history, but first, Taira needs to win his title fight against Van at UFC 328.
Taira's message to Pantoja was clear: he's ready for the fight and is looking to capture the championship.
As of May 3, 2026, Taira is focused on his upcoming fight against Van, but his sights are set on Pantoja.
Su Mudaerji, another fighter in the division, believes Van will beat Taira at UFC 328, but Taira is confident in his abilities.
The stage is set for an exciting fight between Taira and Pantoja, with the former looking to make a statement in the flyweight division.
Taira's respect for Pantoja is genuine, but he's not intimidated by the former champion's reputation.
The fight between Taira and Pantoja would be a historic event, with both fighters looking to make a statement in the division.
As the flyweight division continues to heat up, fans can expect an exciting fight between Taira and Pantoja in the near future.