Van vs Taira Prediction
📣 UFC 328 is set to deliver a significant event for the flyweight division as newly crowned champion Joshua Van defends his title against Japanese fighter Tatsuro Taira. This clash will serve as the co-main event of the evening in Newark. Van puts his belt and a six-fight winning streak on the line, despite entering the bout as the bookmakers' underdog. But are these odds justified? And what can we expect from this title showdown? Read our prediction below.
Fascinating Fighter Facts
Joshua Van
- He ranks among the most active strikers in divisional history, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute.
- His journey to the top began in the regional Fury FC league, where he became champion just a year after turning professional.
- Despite being a young champion, he already ranks in the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC.
Tatsuro Taira
- He was seriously involved in baseball during his childhood and initially planned a career in the sport before fully committing to martial arts.
- He holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is considered one of the most dangerous grapplers in his weight class worldwide.
- He became the champion of Japan's oldest organization, Shooto, at just 21 years old before signing with the UFC.
H2H Stats Fights and Previous Results
Joshua Van Player Overview
Joshua began his professional journey in 2021 and quickly emerged as the main star of the Fury FC organization. In 2022, he claimed the flyweight title in a regional promotion, which paved his way into the elite of world MMA - the UFC. In the world's premier league, Van showcased phenomenal progress, securing nine victories with just one defeat. Before heading into a title fight, he strung together a series of five impressive wins, establishing himself as the most resilient and high-volume striker in the division. In December 2025, fate handed him a gift when champion Alexandre Pantoja suffered a leg injury 26 seconds into their fight, and Van became the titleholder.
Match Results: Joshua Van
Tatsuro Taira Player Overview
Tatsuro made his professional debut in 2018 in Japan, systematically dismantling opponents with his grappling skills. By 2021, he reached the pinnacle in his home country by capturing the Shooto title, before moving to the UFC in 2022. The Japanese fighter quickly adapted to the American octagon, delivering an impressive winning streak, stumbling only once in a controversial bout with Brandon Royval in 2024. After this setback, Taira returned even more dangerous, submitting Hyun Sung Park and reigniting discussions among experts about his title potential. In December 2025, he achieved a major career breakthrough by knocking out former champion Brandon Moreno in the second round.
Match Results: Tatsuro Taira
⭐ Editorial Prediction
This matchup stylistically represents a perfect balance of power, inevitably leading to an extended showdown. Tatsuro Taira is an elite grappler, but Wang's phenomenal takedown defense rate of 81% will make every attempt to take him down extremely energy-draining and prolonged. At the same time, Joshua is unlikely to quickly finish the Japanese fighter in striking exchanges, as Taira possesses excellent distance control and a chin of steel, tested against top-tier strikers. Both fighters understand the five-round format and will distribute their resources with utmost composure, avoiding unnecessary risks in the first half of the bout. Most likely, we're in for a high-speed chess match, with the outcome decided in the later rounds.