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          Tatsuro Taira to now face HyunSung Park at UFC Fight Night

          • Brett OkamotoJul 28, 2025, 01:32 PM ET
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          The UFC has reshuffled its main event for Saturday's UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas, as flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira will now face a new opponent in HyunSung Park, it was announced Monday.

          Taira (16-1) was supposed to face Amir Albazi (17-2) in a five-round main event, but Albazi was forced to withdraw due to undisclosed reasons. Park (10-0) was scheduled to face Steve Erceg on Aug. 9, but he will now compete a week earlier in Saturday's main event.

          Taira, of Japan, is the UFC's No. 6-ranked flyweight contender. He is coming off the first defeat of his career, a split decision loss to Brandon Royval in October.

          Park fought his way into the UFC in 2023 and has finished three consecutive opponents inside the Octagon. He has recorded a finish in his last seven bouts, dating to 2018.