Overview
- UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van will make his first title defense against Tatsuro Taira in the UFC 327 co-main event in Miami.
- Former UFC fighter Alan Jouban says Taira's quick scrambles to the back, which he calls the "cheetah shot," create constant choke threats.
- Jouban describes Van as a polished striker yet questions his ability to fend off takedowns and extended scrambles for five rounds.
- Betting lines list Van as the underdog as Taira rides momentum from a TKO of ex-champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.
- Van won the belt at UFC 323 by a 26-second injury stoppage against Alexandre Pantoja, leaving uncertainty about his defense in long grappling exchanges.