By:  | October 16, 2022 9:10 am

Tatsuro Taira remains undefeated after a submission win over C.J. Vergara at UFC Vegas 62. The Japanese flyweight finished the fight at the Apex Centre with a second round armbar.

Vergara missed weight for the second time in his UFC career, coming in at 129lbs. He gave up 30% of his purse to the Japanese opponent but came in with a 3lbs weight advantage.

The Shooto flyweight champion was coming off an impressive decision win on his UFC debut and made the stronger start, securing an eye catching takedown before securing side control. He immediately looked to establish mount and Vergara was able to fend him off at first but eventually succumbed.

Top position

But no sooner had Taira secured mount than Vergara was able to sweep him and briefly secure top position. The Japanese flyweight used his feet to push the American away and got back to hos feet.

A second takedown for Taira followed and the Japanese fighter was clearly in command of the fight as the round ended. At the start of the second he showed a different side to his game, knocking Vergara off his feet with a low kick.

With the American back on his feet he switched strategy again, using a knee to set up a takedown. He eventually got Vergara down and looked to take his back before attacking with rear naked chokes.

 

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Remaining undefeated

Vergara was in defensive mode and appeared to have survive but Taira suddenly transitioned from a rear naked choke to an armbar. The American attempted to stand up but the submission was locked on tight and the tap came at the 4:19 mark.

With the win he improves to 12-0 while Vergara drops to 10-4. Afterwards Taira announced his intention to remain undefeated until becoming the UFC bantamweight champion and said he wants to fight on the rumoured Seoul event next year:

Best of the rest

Taira and his team didn’t stay for the main event, they were pictured in the supermarket shopping for a celebratory barbeque. But if they had stayed they would have seen Alexa Grasso (15-3) earn a one sided decision win over Viviane Araújo (11-4) in their flyweight fight.

UFC Vegas 62, Las Vegas, October 16th
Alexa Grasso def. Viviane AraĂşjo via Decision (Unanimous)
Jonathan Martinez def. Cub Swanson via TKO (Leg kick) at 4:19 of R2
Duško Todorović def. Jordan Wright via TKO (Punches and elbows) at 3:12 of R2
Raphael Assunção def. Victor Henry via Decision (Unanimous)
Alonzo Menifield def. Misha Cirkunov via KO (Punches) at 1:28 of R1
Leomana Martinez def. Brandon Davis via Decision (Split)
Jacob Malkoun def. Nick Maximov via Decision (Unanimous)
Joanderson Brito def. Lucas Alexander via Submission (Rear-naked choke) at 2:02 of R1
Piera RodrĂ­guez def. Sam Hughes via Decision (Unanimous)
Tatsuro Taira def. C.J. Vergara via Submission (Armbar) at 4:19 of R2
Pete Rodriguez def. Mike Jackson via KO (Punches and knee) at 1:33 of R1