MMA Junkie has live coverage of UFC 323 with round-by-round analysis of every fight.
Tatsuro Taira wanted to make a statement to earn the next flyweight title shot and was successful in handling his end of the bargain.
On the main card of UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Taira (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) took on former champion Brandon Moreno, with potential No. 1 contender stakes on the line. Taira brought the fight to Moreno (23-9-2 MMA, 11-5-2 UFC), and secured a TKO stoppage at 2:24 of Round 2.
Moreno patiently studied Taira’s movements in the opening moments. Taira offered a big punch and then shot in for a takedown. Moreno countered by slapping on a triangle, putting Taira in a dangerous spot along the fence. Both fighters calmly worked through the position as time ticked away.
For some reason, a few boo birds were chirping, perhaps not realizing that the slightest adjustment could end the fight. Even the referee strangely warned the fighters to keep working while Moreno had a triangle locked in.
Taira slipped out with 10 seconds remaining, and the fight continued into Round 2.
Moreno came out striking, scoring nicely, but Taira shut it down with a takedown. This time on the ground, there was no counter, and Taira scrambled to Moreno’s back. With a body triangle locked in, Taira flipped Moreno over, flattened him out, and began to unload heavy ground and pound.
The shots went unanswered, and referee Mark Smith called for Moreno to move. There was no change as Taira continued to rain down shots, and the TKO stoppage was awarded midway through the round.
TAIRA FINISHES MORENO FOR A STATEMENT WIN 🔥 #UFC323pic.twitter.com/PUjqx8hTaV
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 7, 2025
During his post-fight interview, Taira asked the UFC to give him a title shot. With the flyweight title will be on the line in the fight that follows as Alexandre Pantoja takes on Joshua Van.
Taira has now won back-to-back fights after suffering the first loss of his career last October. He finished Hyun Sung Park in August and now has a win over a former champion. For Moreno, the result halts the momentum of back-to-back wins over Amir Albazi and Steve Erceg.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 323 results:
- Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:24
- Payton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov declared majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
- Manuel Torres def. Grant Dawson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:25
- Chris Duncan def. Terrance McKinney via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 2:30
- Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:59
- Brunno Ferreira def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jalin Turner def. Edson Barboza via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:24
- Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:29
- Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:09
- Mairon Santos def. Muhammad Naimov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:30
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 323 results: Tatsuro Taira TKOs former champ Brandon Moreno
