Brett OkamotoJul 29, 2025, 01:32 AM
CloseBrett 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.
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.