“Basically, he could be special, but I don’t think of this as special; it’s just another fight I’m facing,” Park said of Taira, who opened his UFC career with six straight victories to advance to 16-0 before dropping a competitive decision to Brandon Royval last October. “Three rounds, five rounds — to me, it’s all the same.”
While short-notice fights can always be a little tricky, this feels like a near-ideal situation for Park, and a “nothing to lose” opportunity for the ascending Road to UFC alum.
He was already in the final stages of a training camp, preparing for an elite talent in Erceg, and though he’s had to bump things up a week, the spotlight has grown a little brighter and the opponent across from him stands several spots further up the divisional ranks.
MORE: Danny Silva Returns | ‘Bang Bang’ For Ribovics | Mateusz Rebecki Interview | Taira Interview | Nathan Fletcher Interview | Main Event Breakdown
Should things not go his way, few would fault him, as he rolled the dice against fighter many have tabbed as a future title challenger, if not champion. And if things work out in his favor…
“Beating a fighter like Tatsuro Tatsuro would give me (more) opportunities,” acknowledged Park. “I would be (ranked) and I would be closer to title contention, but right now, I don’t really concentrate on that stuff — I’m just focused on winning.”
