Tatsuro Taira has massive respect for Demetrious Johnson and while he hopes to break the inaugural UFC flyweight champion’s record, the honor that comes with such a feat would not be lost.
One of the brightest prospects in Japanese MMA, Taira (13-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has passed each UFC test to date with flying colors. Saturday, he returns at UFC on ABC 5 in Jacksonville, Fla., when he takes on who deems his toughest challenge to date, Kleydson Rodrigues (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC).
“I hope it places me in the Top 15 rankings,” Taira recently told MMA Junkie through a translator. “I will be 4-0 in the UFC at that time and will have defeated everyone they put in front of me. That being said, I try not to think too much about rankings, etc. I’m just focused on the fight, and we’ll see what happens when the new rankings are released. All I know is that I’m on the path to the belt.”
Taira has remained respectful of his youth and relative newness to the UFC organization. However, his self-confidence has remained as he continues to march toward title gold.
At 23, Taira is one of the youngest flyweight fighters on the promotion’s roster. If the timeline he’s laid out for himself to win UFC gold materializes in reality, Taira will become the youngest UFC flyweight champion in history.
The record is currently held by “Mighty Mouse”, who earned the inaugural UFC flyweight title in September 2021 at 26 years, 1 month, 1 week, 2 days old.
“That’s an interesting fact; I’m just learning that now,” Taira said. “He’s one of my favorite fighters and a true legend of MMA. I see myself winning the belt in 2024, and it will be my honor to set the new record. I have huge respect for Demetrious.”
In Taira’s way Saturday at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena is rising Brazilian Kleydson Rodrigues (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who missed weight at Friday’s official weigh-ins. The bout will also be Taira’s first UFC fight in front of a full-sized venue’s worth of fans.
“There’s no doubt that he possesses dangerous weapons, but I’m confident that I have more weapons, and my blades are sharper,” Taira said. “He’s a tough opponent, and I believe a win puts me in the Top 15 rankings.
“… (The fans) will see the most dangerous and complete version of myself to date, and they will hear, ‘I am happy. Thank you!’ The happy feeling is spreading and contagious. I want to bring happiness and peace to the world through my fighting.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 5.
