UFC 323 – Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira: Preview & Betting Tips
On a night when the flyweight title is on the line, Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira meet in a pivotal clash that could determine the next man to challenge for UFC gold at UFC 323.
While Moreno (23-8-2) is just 31 years old, he’s still in the typical prime window for flyweights, but he enters with 33 professional fights and the kind of accumulated damage that comes from wars with Deiveson Figueiredo and several other high-octane battles.
Tatsuro Taira (17-1) arrives as the 24-year-old prodigy whose rise has been methodical and calculated. And whilst there’s a clear gap in experience, he owns the advantage in terms of freshness.
Tale of the Tape
Brandon Moreno – Odds 2.10 (Sky Bet)
Record: 23-8-2
Age: 31
Height: 5ft7
Reach: 70”
Weight: Flyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Tatsuro Taira – Odds 1.73 (Sky Bet)
Record: 17-1
Age: 25
Height: 5ft7
Reach: 70”
Weight: Flyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira: Analysis
Moreno has been through championship camps and five-round wars, and this matchup marks his first three-round fight in some time. How he adapts to that shift is one of the biggest X-factors surrounding this matchup.
Taira’s grappling is as clean and clinical as any flyweight rising prospect in recent years, and his ability to transition from positional control to submission threats has produced a series of dominant performances. That said, he has never faced anyone remotely close to Moreno’s level of competition, durability, and scrambling ability.
If Moreno is to win, he’ll need to lean into the very attributes that made him champion: pace, pressure, variety, and unbreakable spirit. He is the more seasoned striker, possessing better combinations, a sharper jab, and the kind of mid-range boxing that can force Taira into exchanges he may not be comfortable with.
Taira’s clearest route is to turn this into a grappling match as early as possible. Moreno is a good defensive wrestler, but he can be taken down, especially early in fights when reading his tempo. Taira thrives when he can establish top control, patiently progress, and force opponents into giving up back exposure.
Moreno vs Taira: Prediction & Betting Tips
Taira is a real top prospect, but Moreno may be a step too soon. Over three rounds, Moreno’s pace and experience should allow him to land the cleaner shots and survive the grappling exchanges long enough to edge the scorecards.
Despite being through some hard fights, Moreno is still one of the best flyweights in the world, and he’s still hungry for success. I’m taking Brandon Moreno to win outright at odds of 2.10 (Sky Bet). I am shocked by Moreno being the underdog. I would have this one flipped in terms of the odds.
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