Taira Turned a Late Opponent Change Into a Second-Round
Tatsuro Taira submitted Hyun Sung Park on August 2, 2025, at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Their UFC Vegas 108 flyweight main event ended with a face crank at 1:06 of the second round after Park replaced Amir Albazi on short notice.
Medical clearance changed the main-event pairing
Albazi was not medically cleared to compete, opening an opportunity for Park less than a week before the event. Park had originally been scheduled to face Steve Erceg at the following week’s UFC card.
The South Korean accepted a significantly different assignment against an established contender. He entered unbeaten through ten professional fights, while Taira was returning after the first defeat of his own career.
Early striking prevented the replacement from settling
Taira landed right hands that dropped Park during the opening round. The knockdown led immediately into sustained grappling pressure, with Park working to stand and Taira repeatedly reattaching to him.
Park survived the initial attacks and reached the second round. He could not, however, create enough separation to make the fight develop on more favorable terms.
Back control supplied the finishing position
Taira completed another takedown early in the second and advanced to the back. A body triangle helped hold the position before the face crank forced Park to submit.
The victory improved Taira’s professional record to seventeen wins and one defeat. Park’s unbeaten run ended in his first UFC main event, while Taira successfully handled the late replacement and returned to the win column after losing to Brandon Royval.
Sources
- MMA Fighting: replacement timing, original Erceg matchup and record
- Cageside Press: Albazi medical withdrawal
- Cageside Press: body triangle and official face-crank result
