Joshua Van is set to make the first defense of his flyweight title when he takes on Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327, the promotion announced.
Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) and Taira (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will go head-to-head at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 11 in a bout that will serve as the co-main event.
Van became the 125-pound champion under unusual circumstances in December when then-titleholder Alexandre Pantoja suffered a catastrophic injury just 26 seconds into their title fight at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. Speculation had been mounting that “The Cannibal” had recovered sufficiently to earn an immediate rematch with Van, but it now appears the UFC matchmakers have opted for a different direction.
Taira was also in action at UFC 323 in December, earning a second-round stoppage victory over former champion Brandon Moreno. Six of the Japanese star’s eight UFC wins have come by stoppage, marking him as one of the promotion’s most exciting prospects.
While the flyweight title fight between Van and Taira has been confirmed as the co-main event for UFC 327, no headlining bout has yet been announced.
UFC 327 Fights Announced So Far:
- Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight Championship)
- Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
- Tatiana Suarez vs. Lupita Godinez (Women’s Strawweight)
- Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa (Light Heavyweight)
- Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr (Featherweight)
- Kyle Daukus vs. Vicente Luque (Middleweight)
- Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown (Welterweight)
