MMA Preview – Alex Perez vs Tatsuro Taira at UFC on ESPN 58
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ALEX PEREZ VS TATSURO TAIRA FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 58? Sunday 16th June, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 58? UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 58? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC on ESPN 58 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 58? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEX PEREZ VS TATSURO TAIRA LOWDOWN
Alex Perez (25-8) somehow headlines his second UFC card on the bounce with one win in four years. After stepping up for his first title shot off the back of three dubs, he endured a tough run and injuries. He got submitted by Deiveson Figueiredo (2020) and then submitted again by the current champion Alexandre Pantoja (2022). He took another couple years off and returned to lose a unanimous decision to Muhammad Mokaev (2024). He made a quick turnaround and made up for lost time by pulling off a majestic second-round knockout over Matheus Nicolau (2024) picking up a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus in the process.
Now he welcomes the unbeaten prospect Tatsuro Tairo (15-0). It is good to see the UFC build him up gradually as he now has five UFC appearances in the bank and is prepared for the upper echelon. He outpointed Carlos Candelario (2022) on debut and then went on to submit CJ Vergara (2022) and Jesus Santos Aguilar (2023). He then graced his first pay-per-view card where he outpointed Edgar Chairez (2023) at UFC 290 before knocking out Carlos Hernandez back in December at UFC Fight Night 233.
ALEX PEREZ VS TATSURO TAIRA PREDICTION
Taira’s preparation has not been the smoothest as he was initially scheduled to fight Tim Elliott back in May and then Joshua Van at UFC 302. He has unexpectedly been bumped up to the main event, but we feel he is ready to take centre stage.
Perez’s recent win has closed the odds right up and another win will complete his career U-turn. He has always been a quality striker with strong wrestling, and he will now have the confidence to find the knockout and control the wrestling.
Taira will be confident in his own striking, but we expect him to exploit the holes in Perez’s submission defence. If he can initiate the takedown, win the scrambles and end up in top position, he can work on a submission.
However, if the young gun has not tightened the holes in his defence, Perez has the power to find the chin. Perez can easily cause the upset as he is the better wrestler and striker, but if Taira has continued to improve, he should be able to hold his own on the feet and win the grappling exchanges.
Prediction: Taira via Decision
Value Bet: Perez to win
