UFC Vegas 108: Taira vs Park Full Card Analysis

UFC Vegas 108: Taira vs Park – 8.2.2025 – Fight Predictions and Analysis

Welcome to our collaborative coverage of UFC Vegas 108: Taira vs Park. After last weekend’s action in Abu Dhabi, fights are back at The Apex in Las Vegas tonight with undefeated flyweights in the main event. Be sure to check out our full reasoning for every pick as our records will not reflect confidence in each selection. We will be picking every fight, but likely only recommend betting on a select few.

Current Record

• Anthony: 188-112-1 (Last Year 321-191-0, 63%)
• Nick: 190-110-1 (Last Year 316-196-0, 62%)

*Fight odds were last updated from Bet99 on 8-1-2025 at 8pm EST

Preliminary Card- Starts 6:00pm EST

Piera Rodriguez -220 vs Ketlen Souza +180

• Anthony: The event tonight begins at women’s strawweight with a fight between Ketlen Souza and Piera Rodriguez. This should be a competitive matchup perhaps a bit closer than the odds would suggest. These are two improved athletes that can potentially start to stack more wins together in sequence. Rodriguez impressed by defeating Josefine Knutsson in her most recent performance. I favor her in this matchup given her good offensive striking and higher volume attack than Souza. While Souza is a dangerous boxer here at strawweight, I do not think her hands will win out here over the course of three rounds. Souza will be reliant on landing a big shot early to sway the momentum of this fight. She could also look to engage Rodriguez grappling where we have seen her struggle on occasions before. I think Rodriguez continues to improve her takedown defense and Souza will likely struggle to earn much time in top control. It will likely be a bout that goes to the judge’s scorecards unless Souza can land a knockout blow. Rodriguez should be able to do enough to win with her output and own moments grappling along the cage. Piera Rodriguez by Decision
• Nick: Piera Rodriguez is a dangerous and aggressive striker with five of her ten professional wins coming via KO. Rodriguez is a tough and aggressive fighter who does her best work when she can push forward and pressure her opponents. She throws well timed strikes, she’s defensively sound, and against inferior opponents she can win off her excellent athleticism and speed. In spite of these strengths, she’s been inconsistent since she broke into the UFC and her defensive grappling ability leaves a lot to be desired. Ketlen Souza is a former Invicta FC Flyweight Champion. She is 15-4 professionally, with eight of those wins having come via KO. She is coming off a hard fought decision loss to a tough out in Angela Hill, a fight in which she seemed to show considerable improvements against a quality and experienced opponent. Souza is well rounded, but her strength for the division is what stands out when you watch her on film. She has surprising power and explosiveness, both beyond what would be expected of a fighter with her frame. This fight will be competitive early, but I expect Rodriguez’s size and strength advantages here will allow her to lean on her grappling. Souza will be competitive on the feet, but I expect she’ll struggle to keep this one standing. Piera Rodriguez by Decision

Rafael Estevam -500 vs Felipe Bunes +380

• Anthony: Next is a fight between Felipe Bunes and Rafael Estevam. This fight was scheduled to take place at flyweight but Estevam was four pounds heavy on Friday. Estevam is a pretty exciting fighter at 13-0 but it is bad he has now missed weight twice in the UFC. He could find some success fighting at bantamweight but you’ll notice he is not much bigger than Bunes. Estevam should dominate this fight by keeping out of Bunes’ submissions. He can win most exchanges here grappling against an opponent willing to pull guard. Bunes is most dangerous early in the fight when both of these athletes are dry. I think Estevam’s extensive training at Nova Unao should have him prepared to defend here. He himself is a jiu jitsu blackbelt. It is hard to handicap this fight appropriately after Estevam missed weight by more than four pounds. At flyweight, this should be a huge advantage in a fight he was already likely to win. Records don’t mean much in this sport but it is bad if undefeated Estevam loses to an opponent at 14-7 overall. He should cruise in this fight against Bunes. I expect him to use his strength to win grappling exchanges before finishing this fight with his striking. Rafael Estevam by Round Three KO
• Nick: Felipe Bunes 35-years-old and 14-7 professionally. He is relatively well-rounded, with eight wins coming via submission and three via KO. He’s dangerous offensively, but somewhat reckless in his attacks. He’s usually the better BJJ player in most of his match-ups, but he’s running into a difficult stylistic opponent here against Estevam. Rafael Estevam is 13-0 professionally, with four of those wins coming via KO and three via submission. He’s fought a decent level of competition regionally ,and he fights out of a solid camp via Nova União. He’s 2-0 in the UFC, coming off solid wins over Charles Johnson and Jesus Aguilar. Estevam is a technically sound striker, but his grappling is where he finds most of his success. He has solid BJJ and takedown ability. His cardio seems to deplete at times, but his grappling ability makes him stand out in a crowded flyweight division. Estevam has had issues making weight in the past, and he once again missed weight for this match-up. That being said, I expect he can stay a step ahead of his opponent in this one. He’s the better striker, and his grappling is more technically sound. Rafael Estevam by Decision

Austin Bashi -750 vs John Yannis +500

• Anthony: This is a fight at featherweight between John Yannis and Austin Bashi. Yannis is appearing here on short notice, replacing the injured Francis Marshall. It is known that Yannis was in camp training for a fight at Fury FC at the end of August. Bashi is a tough opponent to draw into even with a full camp to prepare. Yannis figures to have his hands full here facing the elite wrestler on such short notice. Bashi has excellent takedowns, control and transitions. He is also a blackbelt in jiu jitsu with top tier ground fighting strategy. Bashi is constantly looking to take opponents down and wear them out. His relentless grappling pressure should yield an easy victory here today against Yannis. The Texas professional has not proven capable of winning higher-level matchups like this. Yannis’ three career losses came against the three best athletes he has faced. I am expecting him to get flattened on the mat and eventually submitted here tonight. Austin Bashi by Round Two Submission
• Nick: Austin Bashi is 13-1 professionally and just 24-years old. He’s dangerous everywhere, with three wins coming via KO and five coming via submission. That being said, most of his success has come on the mat as he’s a credentialed wrestler with ever-improving BJJ. Bashi is an explosive athlete with a compact frame. He’s a skilled wrestler with solid durability. As talented as he is, he is still relatively inexperienced and ‘green’ in his ability. He’s coming off the first loss of his career to Christian Rodriguez in which he struggled on the feet when he couldn’t find consistent takedowns. John Yannis will be making his UFC debut here, taking this fight on short notice as a replacement for an injured Frances Marshall. Yannis is primarily a striker with true KO power. He throws effective leg kicks and he has solid cardio and durability, but the biggest hole in his game is certainly his defensive grappling ability. Given the short notice nature as well as the stylistic angle of this match-up, I expect Bashi to dominate. He should find takedowns at will until he eventually scores a submission. Austin Bashi by Round Two Submission

Andrey Pulyaev -155 vs Nick Klein +130

• Anthony: This is a close matchup at middleweight between Andrey Pulyaev and Nick Klein. It is a matchup between striker and grappler with Klein always urgent to takedown his opponents. The winner will likely be determined based on Klein’s grappling success in round one. Pulyaev has been tough to ground and I do not think Klein will easily hold onto positions against the Russian. Klein is a good jiu jitsu practitioner but he is also only a highschool level wrestler. Pulyaev is not the most potent striker but his kickboxing skillset will look elite here. Klein is an opponent that is easy to hit and Pulyaev is significantly faster than him. Pulyaev’s best weapon is his straight left and he will find a home to land it here easily against Klein. I think the damage caused by strikes landing will cause Klein to fall apart in rounds two and three. He could be desperately shooting here and eating a lot of clean shots from the southpaw. Pulyaev has a reliable gas tank and I do not think Klein will be able to outwork him by wrestling throughout this fight. He seems like the rightful betting favorite so I will trust him with my money here tonight. Andrey Pulyaev by Round Three KO
• Nick: Nick Klein is 29 years old and 6-2 professionally, with three wins coming by submission and two coming by KO. Primarily a grappler, Klein fights out of a respectable camp in Pura Vida BJJ in Wisconsin. While he does have offensive upside if he can take his fights to the mat, he’s had trouble against strikers as he’s very hittable in exchanges. He was KO’d his last time out in his UFC debut, but that fight came against a dangerous and highly regarded prospect in Mansur Abdul-Malik. Andrey Pulyaev is 27 years old and 9-3 professionally. He’s coming off a loss to Christian Leroy Duncan, which came in his UFC debut, but prior to that fight he put together a respectable five fight win streak. Pulyaev is relatively well rounded, but he prefers to stand and strike. Five of his nine professional wins have come via KO. Pulyaev can be dangerous, but his willingness to exchange in the pocket makes him an easy target for seasoned strikers. Additionally, his defensive grappling is still somewhat of a question mark as he hasn’t really been tested against any top level grapplers. This is a binary fight in which Klein has a grappling advantage and Pulyaev has a major advantage on the feet. This is a volatile fight to pick as it is a low level match-up as well. I slightly prefer the Pulyaev side as he should be able to keep this fight on the feet long enough to put Klein away. Andrey Pulyaev by Round Two KO

Rodolfo Vieira -220 vs Tresean Gore +180

• Anthony: Next is a fun fight at middleweight between Rodolfo Vieira and Tresean Gore. This is a matchup between striker and grappler with Vieira of course eager to take down every opponent. He is a blackbelt, formerly ADCC champion and a four-time IBJJF gold medalist. Certainly there is no comparing Gore’s grappling skills to his. Gore did not win his last fight as the +375 betting underdog but I was impressed with his performance nonetheless. Marco Tulio was battering Gore with clean strikes but he continued to move forward and showcase elite durability with a chin. Gore had his moments and proved that he can stand and bang with anyone upright on the feet. He should cruise in this fight against Vieira as long as he can stay standing. Gore has showcased above average skills when it comes to his takedown defense. He will need to stuff oncoming shots and keep distance. He has the advantage on the feet in terms of his speed and his power. Vieira will need to find a submission early or else Gore will probably be much fresher than him at the start of rounds two and three. Gore did miss weight but I do not think it will be a huge effect for this fight. In my eyes this guy deserves his spot in the promotion, but he will need to prove that true by winning today against this 35 year old. Gore is a solid underdog bet with equity to win by knockout, decision or even a submission of his own. Tresean Gore by Round Two KO
• Nick: Rodolfo Vieira is one of the most talented BJJ players in the UFC as a decorated Black belt and Five-time BJJ World Champion. He’s a Freestyle Wrestling and a Combat Sambo Master of sport, but he definitely leans on his jiu-jitsu as it’s far and away his greatest strength. Vieira’s striking is far from technical, but he’s a monster physically so he can put power behind his punches and close distance effectively enough to work opponents to the mat. As dangerous as he is, his cardio is a major liability. Tresean Gore has serious power in his strikes, but he’s known to have a solid wrestling base well. That being said, he comes into this match-up with a suspect 5-3 professional record. Gore almost always looks dangerous early, but he’s overly willing to eat shots in exchanges. Additionally, it seems he doesn’t really have the gas tank to lean on his wrestling for three rounds. Gore will be dangerous early here, and he’s also live for an upset if he can take over late. Vieira is inconsistent, but if the best version of him shows up here he should manage to submit Gore will relative ease. Rodolfo Vieira by Round One Submission

Rinya Nakamura -450 vs Nathan Fletcher +340

• Anthony: The featured prelim is a bantamweight contest between Nathan Fletcher and Rinya Nakamura. Nakamura is in a similar spot here as card headliner Tatsuro Taira. The Japanese prospect had previously been undefeated before enduring a close loss in his most recent matchup. This is an opportunity for Nakamura to show he has evolved, improving technique and relying less on his brute strength. He has a decisive edge here wrestling against Fletcher. Nakamura will likely pressure forward here and force Fletcher into fighting at close range. Fletcher got taken down on 6 of 12 attempts in his last fight against Caolan Loughran. Nakamura should have no problem scoring takedowns and racking up control time in this fight. He was a junior wrestling champion and has an incredibly effective grappling inside of the octagon. Nakamura is not afraid to use his strikes to close distance and force action against his opponents. Fletcher is the better technical striker but I do not think he will get enough space to let go with his kickboxing. Nakamura cracks hard with single shots and follows up with explosive takedowns thereafter. He should wrestle his way to a victory here tonight. Rinya Nakamura by Decision
• Nick: Rinya Nakamura has a compact and muscular frame. He is dangerous everywhere as an aggressive striker with power in all of his limbs. His pressure forward style can occasionally leave him there to be countered in exchanges, but his athleticism and speed have kept him safe on the feet up to this point in his career. As impressive as his striking is, he’s also a high level wrestler. He looks excellent in scrambles and he seems to know how to find takedowns from a wide range of positions. Nakamura is coming off the first loss of his career to Muin Gafarov, a fight in which he waited too long to lean on his advanced grappling ability. He’ll be looking to get back in the win column here, but he’s risky to back as a big favorite given his seemingly questionable fight IQ. Nathan Fletcher is a well rounded fighter who usually hunts for finishes both on the mat and in striking exchanges. He’s athletic, and he generally wears on his opponents with his aggressive and torrid pacing. He’s fought a solid level of regional competition, having primarily fought for Cage Warriors. He trains out of Next Generation in Liverpool, with the likes of Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann. His greatest strength is his dangerous BJJ, but he’s more of an opportunistic submission fighter as he’s certainly content to stand and trade on the feet. Nakamura’s fight IQ is in question after his recent loss, but if he wrestles here he should justify his juiced price in this matchup. Rinya Nakamura by Decision

Main Card- Starts 9:00pm EST

Kevin Vallejos -450 vs Danny Silva +340

• Anthony: The main card opens at featherweight with this fight between Kevin Vallejos and Danny Silva. This should be a very exciting scrap between two fighters known for their striking offense. Vallejos is 15-1 at just 23 years old. His only career loss came against Jean Silva on Dana White’s Contender Series. He is continuing to develop, growing into this weight class and fighting with more aggression in his recent fights. Vallejos has won four straight via stoppage, largely securing wins thanks to his power and explosive striking offense. He seems to pack a bigger punch than Silva. As these two engage at kickboxing range it will likely be Silva landing more frequent offense. He can match Vallejos in terms of his speed and precision striking, but Silva has much more porous striking defense. Switching stances allows him to land frequent strikes but his chin is also going to be exposed more often. He averages 7.36 significant strikes landed per minute but absorbs a greater rate of 7.96 significant strikes. He tends to get hit very often as he throws his longer combination attacks. Silva has proven capable of taking punches too and I figure he can last to a decision here. I think these odds are much wider than they should be and I consider Silva to be a live betting underdog. Vallejos will probably win by scoring knockdowns and landing the cleaner strikes. Kevin Vallejos by Decision
• Nick: At just 23 years old, Kevin Vallejos is already one of the more highly regarded prospects in the world at featherweight. He’s 14-1, with his only professional loss coming by decision to one of the division’s fastest rising contenders in Jean Silva. Vallejos is well-rounded, but most of his success has come on the feet. He’s an explosive striker capable of putting out effective volume as he throws lengthy combinations. He has KO power, and he does a good job finding devastating body shots against almost anyone he squares up against. He’s coming off an impressive KO win in his UFC debut over a decent opponent in Seung Woo Choi. He’ll be looking to build on that momentum here against Danny SIlva. Danny Silva is primarily a striker. He is 9-2 professionally, with five of those wins coming via KO. He’s a decent grappler, but it’s rare he leans on that part of his game. He throws out a lot of volume on the feet and he does well striking at range, but he’s hittable in lengthy exchanges. This fight should play out much closer than the line suggests, but I do expect Vallejos to land the more impactful strikes. Kevin Vallejos by Decision

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos -180 vs Neil Magny +145

• Anthony: Next is a fight at welterweight between Neil Magny and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Magny holds the UFC record for most wins at welterweight with 22 total. It should be a good scrap between two of the division’s grizzled veterans. Zaleski is the moderate betting favorite despite a loss in March facing Chidi Njokuani. He figures to have the edge over Magny in terms of his boxing and hand speed. Magny has lost both previous octagon appearances, but those were very difficult matchups against stellar prospects in the division. This fight against Zaleski should be much easier as he faces an opponent that is actually older than him. Zaleski is a more dangerous striker than Magny, but I expect Neil to limit his offensive opportunities by holding him up against the octagon side. Magny does well utilizing his grappling to win minutes and burn his opponent’s energy. I do not think he will struggle to wrap up Zaleski who is a much smaller welterweight. Magny could also score takedowns here making him a very attractive underdog. He is susceptible to the knockout but otherwise I think he will win this fight against Zaleski convincingly. The seven-inch reach advantage will be helpful at distance as well as when fighting in the clinch. Magny is my favorite bet on the card tonight. Neil Magny by Decision
• Nick: We have an interesting match-up here at welterweight between talented fighters that are both well past their respective primes. Zaleski dos Santos is one of the more creative strikers in this division. He does an excellent job throwing and landing wild spinning attacks. He’s a powerful puncher, and he does a good job mixing explosive kicks into his combinations. He has decent defensive grappling ability, but at 38 years old it seems his cardio and durability are both on the general decline. Neil Magny is a rangy striker who arguably does his best work in the clinch.He has a seemingly infinite gas tank and he’s shown an uncanny ability to wear on his opponents and take over as his fights wear on. Magny has solid grappling ability, but he can struggle to get back to his feet once he’s grounded. While both of these fighters are past their respective primes, it seems Magny is a bit further past his. I expect dos Santos can present a well-rounded gameplan on his way to a narrow decision. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by Decision

Karol Rosa -200 vs Nora Cornolle +160

• Anthony: This is a matchup between ranked bantamweights Nora Cornolle and Karol Rosa. It serves as a good test for Cornolle here facing a veteran athlete with great skills and durability. Cornolle has a strong base in muay thai, punishing her opponents with great clinch strikes and kicks in close. While Rosa is considered a rather high volume striker, her punches do not land with the damage and precision that Cornolle does. Cornolle will do well maintaining distance against Rosa and not allowing a strict boxing match to take place. Rosa is a jiu jitsu blackbelt but she does not often pursue takedowns or rush action to the mat. Cornolle will surprise a lot of people with her wrestling in this matchup. While her grappling may not be as polished as her striking, Cornolle’s ability to secure submissions on the mat has impressed me. She has shown good resilience on the ground and I think she can win in that area here facing Rosa. I’ll bet on Cornolle here as the underdog in what I consider a very even matchup on paper. She is the more likely fighter to finish and I do not expect Rosa to win these rounds with much authority. Nora Cornolle by Decision
• Nick: Karol Rosa has landed more than six strikes per minute in the UFC, and she also averages just under 1.1 takedowns per fifteen minutes. She is a well-rounded fighter, and she’s fought against the top of the division since she made her promotional debut back in 2019. Rosa has solid footwork and she does a good job forcing her opponents to fight moving backwards. She’s not very powerful on the feet, but she works well behind her jab and she generally does a decent job finding her target in spite of the fact she is relatively short for the division. She’s a serviceable offensive grappler who tends to exploit her opponents weaknesses if they aren’t as well-rounded. Nora Cornolle is 9-1 professionally, having spent most of her professional career fighting for UAE Warriors. She is 3-1 in the UFC, coming off an impressive submission win over Hailey Cowan back at UFC 314. Cornolle is primarily a striker who has surprising power for her frame. She fights out of a Muay Thai style stance, and generally does a decent job putting together high volume combinations. While she can be dangerous, she is hittable in exchanges. Additionally, her overall grappling ability leaves a lot to be desired. Rosa is inconsistent, but she’s the more skilled fighter in this match-up and she’s been tested against a much higher level of opponent. I expect she can pull away as this fight wears on. Karol Rosa by Decision

Esteban Ribovics -260 vs Elves Brenner +200

• Anthony: The featured bout is a good battle at lightweight between Elves Brenner and Esteban Ribovics. There is potential this will be Fight of the Night with these two ready to engage on the feet. Ribovics has earned FOTN honors in both of his previous appearances. He attempted a whopping 433 strikes in his last fight and 345 in the matchup before that. His last bout was a loss against Nasrat Haqparast but Ribovics’ continues to get better with each performance. He is patient and executes well, landing powerful attacks from range and leading with his kicks. He always lands timely counters. Brenner is very comfortable with competitive pocket battles but that is a dangerous proposition against a striker like Ribovics. On average, Brenner absorbs 5.30 significant strikes per minute. His chin is a great asset but he needs to drastically improve his overall striking defense. Ribovics should find plenty of openings to tee-off with his great kickboxing tonight. Brenner also tends to fade as fights wear on, making him susceptible to another late finish. I think Ribovics will score a knockdown and impress as he earns this victory. Esteban Ribovics by Round Three KO
• Nick: Esteban Ribovics is 14-2 professionally, with all but two of those wins coming via finish. He’s fairly well-rounded with surprising power for his frame. He has dangerous BJJ and a decent wrestling base, but it seems he’s most content to stand and trade on the feet. He’s a rising prospect at 29 years old, but coming off a hard fought decision loss to a tough out in Nasrat Haqparast. Elves Brenner is an aggressive striker who does well backing his opponents up against the cage. He has solid durability and cardio, but he sometimes leaves himself open to be countered as he seems to lack defense in exchanges. Brenner’s style makes him a volatile fighter to back, but he’s also a potent finisher. This fight should play out closer than the line suggests, but I do prefer the Ribovics side. He’s the more technically sound fighter in this match-up, and his durability has been excellent to this point in his career. Brenner will be dangerous early here, especially on the mat. That being said, I expect Ribovic’s striking will shine here after he weathers that early storm. Esteban Ribovics by Round Two KO

Mateusz Rebecki -220 vs Chris Duncan +180

• Anthony: The co-main event is a lightweight matchup between Chris Duncan and Mateusz Rebecki. Both men have outperformed expectations since their initial debut in the UFC. They have done well earning quality victories against skilled opponents in this talent rich division. Another victory here could earn either man a ranked opponent before the year ends. Rebecki is solid everywhere and I consider him the rightful betting favorite. Duncan has cashed as a moderate underdog in both of his previous appearances. Both occasions saw Duncan win via guillotine choke, wrapping up his opponents as they struggled to take him down. I do not expect Rebecki to execute a wrestling heavy gameplan in this fight. Duncan will have the chance to hurt Rebecki here on the feet but over the course of fifteen minutes I think Rebecki’s striking will win out. Rebecki has struggled to defend opponent takedowns but he has the size and strength to stuff Duncan’s shots. It will also be a benefit facing an orthodox striker from the southpaw. He is the much more consistent athlete, throwing more steady offense and great low leg kicks. Rebecki appears more durable too and I really think he is poised to look good here facing Duncan. Mateusz Rebecki by Decision
• Nick: Chris Duncan has one-shot KO power on the feet, but his aggressive style means that he is often open to being countered in exchanges. Duncan is 13-2 professionally, with seven of those wins coming via KO. Having recently shifted camps to American Top Team, it’s encouraging to see Duncan fighting with more of an intelligent game plan and leaning more on his wrestling lately. This is especially important given the questions surrounding his durability. Duncan is coming off back-to-back wins via submission since switching camps, and there’s a good chance he looks to grapple again here against Rebecki. Mateusz Rebecki is 20-2 professionally, and the former FEN Lightweight Champion. He’s coming off a narrow decision win over a tough out in Myktybek Orolbai. Rebecki is a gifted grappler with solid striking ability and a seemingly very high Fight IQ. He makes effective decisions in the heat of battle, he does a good job capitalizing on the weaknesses of his opponents and he’s very strong for the division. All that being said, he’s going to struggle to find consistent success at this level if he can’t conserve enough energy to stay effective until the scorecards. Duncan has improved dramatically since he made his UFC debut, but Rebecki is still a level above him in terms of technical ability. Mateusz Rebecki by Round Two KO

Tatsuro Taira -350 vs Hyun Sung Park +275

• Anthony: The main event comes at flyweight between Hyun Sung Park and Tatsuro Taira. This is a short notice booking for Park who steps in to replace the injured Amir Albazi. It is a tough task to ask him to make weight and compete with an opponent this caliber on less than seven days notice. Park is 10-0 after beating Carlos Hernandez in his most recent fight. The Korean has showcased a well-rounded skillset with good striking to pair with his wrestling offense. However, Park has won most of his fights via rear naked choke. I do not think he will be successful implementing his grappling offense here against a purple belt in jiu jitsu like Taira. He has seven professional wins by submission and great top control for a flyweight. Normally at 125 pounds we see a lot of high-pace scrambles, but Taira is sticky and does well keeping himself glued to opponents. Park has slightly better striking offense but Taira can also hold his own on the feet. I think he will be able to overwhelm Park as this fight progresses. Taira suffered his first loss in a Fight of the Night last fall versus Brandon Royval. He should be improved after that performance and more prepared for a tough five round bout. His opponent today is not as active with his boxing or experienced going the distance. Park will struggle to fight longer than fifteen minutes here without having a full camp to prepare. The odds seem wide on Taira but he is very likely to win by submission or unanimous decision here. Tatsuro Taira by Round Two Submission
• Nick: Tatsuro Taira is just twenty-five years old, but he already has a well-rounded skill-set which is highlighted by high-level wrestling and BJJ. Taira is tall for the division. He’s explosive when he strikes, with solid range management and footwork. He sometimes leaves his chin out in exchanges, but he already has a good grasp of how to utilize his length. He is 4-1 in the UFC, most recently suffering his first career loss to a tough out in Brandon Royval. Hyun Sung Park is taking this fight on just a weeks’ notice as a replacement for the injured Amir Albazi. Park is 10-0 professionally, and 2-0 in the UFC. Park has surprising power for his frame. He’s unconventional in his approach to striking, but he’s very athletic and has a decent understanding of angles offensively. He does a good job circling away from the strengths of his opponent and when he enters the pocket he does so with conviction. He seems to have solid offensive grappling ability with a decent understanding of BJJ, and he doesn’t settle on his back if his opponents take him down. While he’s able to overwhelm most of his opponents on the mat, that path is going to be difficult for him to pursue here against such a gifted grappler in Taira. I’m siding with the favorite. Tatsuro Taira by Round Three Submission

-Nick Marro

@NickMarroDFS

-Anthony Marro

@AnthonyMarro_

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