"Joshua Van entered UFC 328 as the promotion's flyweight champion, with a whole host of questions surrounding his legitimacy. That's what happens when you win the title off of an injury, as Van did against Alexandre Pantoja late last year. Against Tatsuro Taira, however, there was no such injury, and while some including Taira may feel the fight ended early, there wasn't too much controversy on Saturday."
"Taira started strong, using his wrestling until Van erupted and knocked the Japanese challenger down. Taira suddenly found himself under fire but miraculously recovered and even managed to land some takedowns later in the same round. Then, in the fifth, Van dug the body and eventually landed enough punches for the ref to come in and wave off the fight, though Taira would protest."
"The bout earned Fight of the Night honors on Saturday, UFC CEO and Dana White told media outlets including Cageside Press after the fight. A better fight than Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland, a decent bout that was perhaps overhyped in the build-up."
"Performance of the Night bonuses, meanwhile, went to 42-year old Jim Miller, and former Bellator welterweight champ Yaroslav Amosov. Miller snatched the neck of Jared Gordon, locking up a guillotine choke inside of a round. Amosov for his part submitted Joel Alvarez."
Joshua Van entered UFC 328 as flyweight champion amid questions about his legitimacy after winning the title due to an injury. Against Tatsuro Taira, the fight featured early wrestling from Taira, followed by a Van eruption that knocked Taira down. Taira recovered, landed takedowns in the same round, and continued to compete despite being under pressure. In the fifth round, Van attacked the body and landed enough punches for the referee to stop the fight, though Taira protested. The bout earned Fight of the Night honors. Performance of the Night bonuses went to Jim Miller and Yaroslav Amosov, with Miller submitting Jared Gordon via guillotine choke and Amosov submitting Joel Alvarez. Bonuses totaled $100,000 for winners and $25,000 for other finishers. Attendance reached 17,783 with a $7.5 million gate, breaking the UFC’s Prudential Center record.
Read at Cageside Press
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