LAS VEGAS – Tatsuro Taira wants a bigger stage after UFC on ESPN 36.
Taira (11-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) scored a lopsided win over Carlos Candelario Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where his grappling and striking skills were on full display en route to a unanimous decision.
The 22-year-old unbeaten Japanese prospect enjoyed his experience at the UFC Apex, but he wants to perform in front of fans for his next fight.
“Singapore is too soon, so maybe not,” Taira told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 36 post-fight press conference on fighting at UFC 275. “But I’d like to have an audience next time, and the Apex was really good, it was really fun. Just like very entry, going to elementary school.”
He continued, “I hope I can have maybe one, at least, or two fights in 2022 this year.”
Although Taira went the distance for just the third time in 11 professional wins, he had Candelario in some bad positions and finished the fight off in dominant position on the ground.
“I had a couple of chances to finish it, but basically the opponent was tough, and he just slipped away,” Taira said. “So I just realized that this is my current level, so I will train more, and I will be stronger, and I’m gonna come back again.”