Home / Sports / Van Knocks Out Taira in Epic 5th Round Finish!
Van Knocks Out Taira in Epic 5th Round Finish!
10 May
Summary
- Joshua Van retained his flyweight title via fifth-round TKO.
- The championship bout was declared one of 2026's best fights.
- Tatsuro Taira lost his bid to become the latest Japanese UFC champion.
Joshua Van has successfully defended his UFC flyweight championship, defeating Tatsuro Taira by TKO in the fifth round. The electrifying bout, held in Newark, has already been hailed as one of the standout fights of 2026. Van's victory marks his first successful title defense.
Taira, aiming to become a UFC champion from Japan, employed a strong grappling game early on, securing multiple takedowns in the first round. However, Van demonstrated remarkable defense and resilience, managing to get back to his feet repeatedly.
By the second round, Van found his striking rhythm, landing significant blows. Despite Taira's persistent takedown attempts and control, Van landed a decisive right hand that visibly affected the challenger. The fight continued with intense back-and-forth action, with both fighters showcasing their skills and determination.
In the final round, Van's effective striking and defense against Taira's takedowns proved decisive. The referee stopped the fight late in the fifth, confirming Van's TKO victory and continuing his reign as flyweight champion. Taira's efforts, though valiant, were not enough to unseat the champion.
