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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Tatsuro Taira explains punting his mouthpiece into T-Mobile Arena crowd after UFC 290 win

LAS VEGAS – Tatsuro Taira beat Edgar Chairez with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Taira, who stayed unbeaten and won for the fourth time in the UFC in just 14 months.

Edgar Chairez vs. Tatsuro Taira

Result: Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Updated records: Taira (14-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Chairez (10-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Taira outstruck Chairez 121-26 and had nearly 10 minutes of control time.

Taira on the fight's key moment

Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Tatsuro Taira (red gloves) reacts to defeating Edgar Chairez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“I had a lot of fun – a major event, a lot of fans … I had fun. At points, I couldn’t move the way I wanted. I could definitely hear my coaches, what they were saying, and I really wanted to make that finish, but I couldn’t. I would have to say it was a bit frustrating, and that frustration kind of went to my mouthpiece (when I kicked it). I’m sorry, mouthpiece.”

Taira on his warning for illegal elbows

Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Tatsuro Taira (red gloves) fights Edgar Chairez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“The elbow – I know (referee Herb Dean) was trying to tell me something about it. I didn’t realize if he was trying to stop me or was he trying to make me (do it) in a different way. So that was my question to him.”

Taira on what he wants next

Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Tatsuro Taira (red gloves) fights Edgar Chairez (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“I want (another) step up (in competition). I will be champion. I would love to (fight in Singapore) if there’s an offer.”

To hear more from Taira, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.

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