UFC's Tatsuro Taira 'looking forward again' after shock of first career loss
Tatsuro Taira was hard on himself after suffering the first loss of his UFC and professional career.
After going unbeaten in his first 16 fights, including a finish over former title challenger Alex Perez, Taira (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) lost a split decision to Brandon Royval in the UFC Fight Night 244 headliner last October.
Although he earned his fourth-career UFC bonus, Taira didn't take the loss too well.
"It was a tough, five-round fight," Taira told MMA Junkie Radio through an interpreter. "I was only thinking about winning the fight and going next to the title fight. So, I was very shocked, I was depressed, but now I'm just looking forward again, and I'm only looking to get that title shot soon."
The 25-year-old Japanese fighter will look to rebound when he takes on Amir Albazi (17-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in a UFC Fight Night main event on Aug. 2 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
"He's physically very, very strong," Taira said of Albazi. "But I think I can imagine myself either getting a submission on the ground or getting a win by knockout."
Taira isn't sure about title implications with a win over Albazi but sees the fight as a must-win situation.
"I'm coming off a loss, he's also coming off a loss, so ranking wise it's (No.) 5 vs. 3, and we're both in a jeopardy position, and we both cannot lose this fight," Taira said. "I won't necessarily think the next fight will be a title fight, but a big fight for both of us (and) definitely cannot lose."
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