UFC Vegas 108: Taira vs Park – Can short-notice replacement Park spring a shock at the UFC APEX?

UFC Vegas 108: Taira vs Park – Can short-notice replacement Park spring a shock at the UFC APEX?

The UFC action returns to the promotion’s Las Vegas home, as the UFC APEX plays host to UFC Vegas 108, where a late change to the main event offers up a fascinating clash between two talented flyweights with very different motivations heading into the weekend.

Sixth-ranked Japanese star Tatsuro Taira was looking to earn himself a title shot with victory over number-four contender Amir Albazi this weekend, but injury to Albazi forced a late change, with dangerous, unranked, undefeated South Korean prospect Hyunsung Park drafted in as a late replacement.

Can established contender Taira cement his status and turn back the challenge of his short-notice opponent, or could Park deliver a career-defining performance to thrust himself into the championship picture in a talent-rich flyweight division?

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Tale of the tape: Tatsuro Taira vs Hyunsung Park

Tatsuro Taira: Can Japanese star demonstrate championship quality in showcase appearance?

Japanese flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira has already shown the world a glimpse of his capabilities in the UFC flyweight division. But now, as he targets a top-five spot in the flyweigh rankings, he has the opportunity to show his class in a fight he’s widely expected to win.

Taira has lost just once in his professional MMA career – a split-decision defeat to top contender Brandon Royval last October – and has turned in a string of impressive performances inside the Octagon. But now, sitting sixth in the UFC’s official flyweight rankings, he finds himself as the hunted, rather than the hunter.

This is a fight that puts the pressure firmly on Taira, who will be expected to deliver a performance worthy of a future title challenger. But against Park, who has never tasted defeat, he faces a dangerous opponent who sees a huge opportunity to make an impact.

Taira will need to prove there are levels to the flyweight division, and show that he sits levels above his opponent. If he does that, he’ll remain in the championship conversation at 125 pounds. Defeat would be unthinkable.

Hyunsung Park: Can South Korean prospect upset the applecart at 125 pounds?

On the flip-side of this matchup, Hyunsung Park has been gifted a golden opportunity to become an instant contender in a weight class that is incredibly difficult to navigate.

The flyweight class is stacked with hugely talented fighters, and fighting your way up the 125-pound ladder is a tough proposition for anyone. So for Park to be handed the chance to leapfrog most of the division with one big win, it’s a chance of a lifetime for the South Korean star.

He’s never lost a fight, and he’s finished all three of his UFC opponents so far. However, against Taira he’s making a monumental step up in class as he takes on a man viewed by some as a potential champion of the future. If Park can get the job done this weekend, it could transform his career and change his life.

Defeat merely keeps him at prospect level, so the downside here is minimal. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain for the fighter with the unusual moniker of “Peace of Mind”. And it means that if he adopts a positive mindset, he could give Taira all he could handle this weekend.

Tatsuro Taira vs Hyunsung Park: The key factors

The biggest factors at play this weekend are mentality and strength of schedule. Taira undeniably has the more impressive resumé of the pair, having fought higher-rated fighters so far in his UFC career. He has more UFC fights to his name, and his victories have come against better opposition. He may have one loss to his name, but it came via split decision against one of the division’s very best – Brandon Royval.

Park, meanwhile, has a flawless record, and has been to the judges just once in his 10-fight career. That came in his professional debut, and he’s reeled off nine straight finishes (five submissions, four TKO/KOs) since. One point to note: All of Park’s submission victories have come via the same technique, the rear-naked choke. His ability to win, and finish, fights is clear, but now he’s moving up several levels to face Taira, can he keep that run going?

That’s where the mental game comes into play. 

Taira may be the higher-ranked fighter here, and the man who has had a full training camp for this event. But it’s hard to shake the thought that this weekend is all about defence for him. He has to defend his ranking spot, and defend his position as a potential title contender as he faces a fighter who hasn’t yet earned those credentials inside the Octagon.

But this fight gives Park a golden ticket to the division’s elite. He’s the short-notice replacement. He’s unranked. He’s the one facing top-level opposition for the first time. All of those things make him the underdog in this fight. With zero pressure on his shoulders, he can step into the cage and fight with complete freedom. That makes him incredibly dangerous.

Taira will need to be on point and on his game against a fighter with nothing to lose. And with his ability to take his opponents to the mat and dominate them from top position (he is statistically among the most dominant fighters in top position in UFC flyweight history), expect him to put that ability to good use.

FIRST’s top tip for Tatsuro Taira vs Hyunsung Park

Against a slightly lower-ranked fighter, the temptation to go with the underdog would be much stronger here. But against Taira, who has shown himself to be a legitimate threat to the division’s best, it’s probably a bridge too far for the South Korean to spring a shock this weekend.

Due to the dynamic of the matchup we’ve described above, it should be a thrilling clash for as long as it stays in the stand-up realm. But expect Taira to look to take the fight to the ground, where he has proven ability to control his opponents – he is ranked fourth all-time in control time, and second all-time in top-position percentage in UFC flyweight history. 

That should see him nullify Park’s dangerous arsenal and eventually break him down en route to victory. The 33/20 available on Taira to win by submission looks a tad stingy, but if we’re looking for value, the 6/1 on offer for a KO/TKO/DQ victory looks an excellent opportunity. Taira may initially look to secure the win by sub, but if Park is defensively sound, it may eventually end up with a stoppage due to strikes. If you want to play it safe, take the submission route. But if you fancy more of a gamble, with a bigger upside, that 6/1 looks like a great chance.

PICK: TATSURO TAIRA TO WIN BY KO/TKO/DQ @ 6/1 (BETMGM)

Extra tips

Argentinian lightweight Esteban Ribovics is one of those fighters who gets you excited just by seeing his name on the fight card. While not an elite contender in the 155-pound division, “El Gringo” is one of the most exciting scrappers you’ll find at lightweight. 

On Saturday night he takes on Elves Brener, who is no stranger to finishing fights, either. He has 11 submissions and three KOs to his name. But against Ribovics, he simply has to take the fight to the mat.

That’ll be a tough task, though, and Ribovic’s spectacular striking game should prevail via KO or TKO.

PICK: ESTEBAN RIBOVICS TO WIN BY KO/TKO/DQ @ 33/20 (BETMGM)