Tatsuro Taira maintained his undefeated record with a second-round TKO win over Alex Perez. In the first round, Perez landed some clean strikes, but Taira demonstrated his resilience in the second round with strong grappling skills. Following his victory, Taira expressed interest in challenging Alexandre Pantoja for the title in Japan, his homeland. Taira is poised to enter the top 5 of the flyweight rankings. While a title shot may be ambitious, let's consider three potential opponents for Taira's next fight.

1. Brandon Royval

As the number one ranked flyweight, Brandon Royval presents a significant challenge for Taira. Royval is known for his aggressive fighting style and is currently a top contender in the division. A matchup between Taira and Royval would likely determine the next title challenger after the winner of Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape at UFC 304. Royval’s well-rounded skills in both striking and grappling would test Taira’s abilities and provide an excellent gauge of his readiness for a title shot.

2. Winner of Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg

Kara-France and Erceg are set to fight at UFC 305 in Perth. Kara-France, a former interim title challenger, and Erceg coming off a title fight loss are both highly-ranked flyweights. The winner of this bout will be looking to solidify their contender status, making them a logical next opponent for Taira. Facing either Kara-France or Erceg would allow Taira to establish himself as a top contender and potentially earn a shot at the title with a decisive victory.

3. Brandon Moreno

Brandon Moreno, a former two-time flyweight title challenger, is currently on hiatus after a loss to Brandon Royval. If Moreno returns later in 2024 or early 2025 and remains a top contender, a matchup against Taira could be highly compelling. A victory over Moreno would be a significant statement for Taira’s career, showcasing his ability to compete with elite competition and potentially propel him into title contention. This fight would be pivotal for Taira and Moreno, offering him a chance to reassert himself in the division.