Tatsuro “The Best” Taira is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist regarded as one of the brightest young stars in the UFC’s flyweight division. Known for his elite grappling, calm demeanor, and technical finishing ability, Taira quickly established himself as one of Japan’s top MMA prospects after dominating the regional scene before making an immediate impact in the UFC.
As of 2026, Taira owns a professional MMA record of 18-2 and has earned victories over former UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno, Alex Perez, C.J. Vergara, and Hyun Sung Park. Despite suffering his first UFC defeat in a title fight against Joshua Van, Taira remains one of the division’s top contenders and one of the most promising fighters to come out of Japan in recent years.
Tatsuro Taira Fighter Information
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tatsuro Taira (平良 達郎) |
| Nickname | The Best |
| Born | January 27, 2000 |
| Birthplace | Naha, Okinawa, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Division | Flyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | The Blackbelt Japan Okinawa |
| Record | 18-2 |
| Former Titles | Shooto Flyweight Champion |
| @tatsurotaira |
What Is Tatsuro Taira Known For?
Taira is best known for five things:
- His elite submission skills.
- Becoming Shooto Flyweight Champion.
- His rapid rise through the UFC.
- Being the first fighter born in the 2000s to win a UFC main event.
- Representing the next generation of Japanese MMA.
Although many fans recognize his grappling first, Taira has developed into a well-rounded mixed martial artist. He mixes slick submissions with improving striking and excellent fight IQ. As a result, he has become one of the UFC’s most complete young flyweights.
Why Is Tatsuro Taira Called “The Best”?
Taira competes under the nickname “The Best,” a name that reflects his championship ambitions.
Rather than chasing attention through trash talk, Taira lets his performances speak for themselves. Throughout his career, he has consistently stated that his goal is to become UFC champion and bring the flyweight title back to Japan.
Because of that mindset, “The Best” represents both his confidence and his commitment to constant improvement.
Tatsuro Taira’s Early Life
Taira was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, on January 27, 2000.
As a child, he played baseball before eventually losing interest in the sport. However, everything changed when he followed his older brother into a local kickboxing gym during high school.
Soon afterward, he began training mixed martial arts under Ryota Matsune. From that moment forward, his natural talent became obvious. He quickly developed into one of Japan’s top amateur prospects and finished his amateur Shooto career with a perfect 10-0 record.
How Did Tatsuro Taira Get Into MMA?
Unlike many Japanese fighters who specialize in one martial art first, Taira embraced mixed martial arts from an early age.
After dominating amateur Shooto competition, he turned professional in 2018. He immediately continued his winning ways by capturing the Shooto Rookie Tournament while finishing opponents with submissions and ground-and-pound.
Moreover, his calm approach inside the cage separated him from many young prospects. Instead of rushing finishes, Taira relied on patience, positioning, and technique.
Tatsuro Taira’s Rise Through Shooto
Before signing with the UFC, Taira established himself as one of Japan’s top flyweights.
He remained undefeated while competing in Shooto and eventually captured the Shooto Flyweight Championship in 2021 by submitting Ryuya Fukuda in the first round.
Soon afterward, he defended his reputation with another submission victory before signing with the UFC in early 2022.
His dominant performances in Japan convinced many observers that he was ready to compete against the world’s best.
Tatsuro Taira’s UFC Career
Taira made his UFC debut in May 2022 against Carlos Candelario.
He won the fight by unanimous decision and immediately impressed fans with his composure.
Afterward, he continued climbing the rankings by defeating C.J. Vergara, Jesus Aguilar, Edgar Chairez, Carlos Hernandez, Alex Perez, Hyun Sung Park, and former UFC champion Brandon Moreno.
Along the way, he collected multiple Performance of the Night bonuses while extending his unbeaten streak to 16 professional victories before suffering a split-decision loss to Brandon Royval.
Nevertheless, Taira quickly bounced back and earned a UFC title shot by stopping Moreno in impressive fashion.
What Is Tatsuro Taira’s Fighting Style?
Taira is one of the UFC’s best young grapplers.
Although he continues to improve his striking, his greatest strength remains his submission game.
He attacks from every position and constantly looks to advance rather than maintain control. Consequently, opponents often struggle to defend his transitions once the fight reaches the ground.
Furthermore, Taira combines excellent timing with outstanding patience. Instead of forcing submissions, he waits for mistakes before locking in armbars, triangle chokes, and rear-naked chokes.
Has Tatsuro Taira Fought for a UFC Title?
Yes.
After defeating Brandon Moreno in December 2025, Taira earned his first UFC Flyweight Championship opportunity against Joshua Van.
The bout was originally scheduled for April 2026 before being postponed because of Van’s injury.
When the fight finally took place in May 2026, both flyweights delivered an outstanding championship battle. However, Van secured a fifth-round TKO victory, handing Taira his second professional defeat.
Even so, the fight earned Fight of the Night honors and confirmed that Taira belongs among the division’s elite.
What Has Tatsuro Taira Accomplished?
Despite still being in his mid-twenties, Taira has already built an impressive résumé.
His accomplishments include:
- Former Shooto Flyweight Champion.
- Three UFC Performance of the Night bonuses.
- Two UFC Fight of the Night bonuses.
- First fighter born in the 2000s to win a UFC main event.
- One of the youngest title challengers in UFC flyweight history.
- Multiple victories over ranked UFC flyweights.
Why Tatsuro Taira Stands Out
Many prospects arrive in the UFC with hype. However, few rise as quickly as Tatsuro Taira.
He dominated Japan’s regional scene, became Shooto champion, and then carried that success into the UFC without changing his patient, technical style. Although he fell short in his first title opportunity, Taira proved he could compete with the very best flyweights in the world.
At just 26 years old, “The Best” still has plenty of time to achieve his goal of becoming UFC champion. If his development continues at the same pace, he could remain one of Japan’s biggest MMA stars for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tatsuro Taira?
Tatsuro Taira is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC flyweight division. He is a former Shooto Flyweight Champion and one of Japan’s top MMA prospects.
Why is Tatsuro Taira called “The Best”?
Taira uses the nickname “The Best” because it reflects his ambition to become the world’s best flyweight and win the UFC championship.
Has Tatsuro Taira fought for the UFC title?
Yes. Taira challenged Joshua Van for the UFC Flyweight Championship in 2026 but lost by fifth-round TKO in a Fight of the Night performance.
