UFC 323 is set to be a thrilling night with two title fights, including Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan 2 for the bantamweight title and Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van for the flyweight belt. Naturally, the PPV event will be an end-of-year gauntlet. Almost as important as the flyweight co-main event is the Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira bout on the undercard: a clash between a battle-tested veteran and a rising star on a red-hot streak.

The ex-UFC flyweight champion, Moreno, has found himself at a career-defining crossroads after rebounding from recent setbacks. A win could put him back into title contention in the 125-lb division. For the 25-year-old Taira, defeating a fighter of Moreno’s calibre would propel him to true elite status in the UFC. In a bout between seasoned fighting groove and a rebellious underdog, who leaves the Octagon head held high?

Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira stats comparison

Mexico’s Moreno enters the cage with a decorated professional record of 23-8-2. The 31-year-old stands 5’7″ (170 cm) and has a reach of 70″ (178 cm), with a walkaround weight of 145 lbs (65 kg). A former 2x UFC Flyweight Champion, Moreno is a well-rounded fighter, combining volume striking and grappling. However, training at Team Moreno, with a pro-BJJ style, Moreno relies on submissions over KOs.

His Japanese opponent comes into the scene with a less extensive profile at 17-1-0. However, at 25 years, Taira has a clear age advantage over Moreno. But with a matching height of 5’7″ and a reach of 70″, neither fighter has an edge over the other. While Taira’s walkaround weight isn’t publicly disclosed, figures place him much higher than his weigh-in of 125 lbs.

Moreno bears the distinct advantage of experience. He has eclipsed the division’s elite, fighting in the trenches for over a decade. Even though he lost two of his last four fights, he has come back with impressive UD victories over Steve Erceg and Amir Albazi. His stamina and experience from big fights point to a goldmine of fight IQ—even if the results have been mixed recently.

In contrast, Taira commands momentum and explosive energy. The 25-year-old fighter has suffered only one defeat since last October. Besides that, he has been shining with clean performances and a strong finishing rate. Despite a grappling-heavy game, Taira has collected KO wins in his recent fights, refining his striking lead. Taira would lean heavily on his youthful speed to challenge Moreno’s veteran resume.

Stats show that Moreno relies on a carefully crafted sequence of attacks, focusing on volume striking. He lands 3.96 strikes per minute while absorbing 3.62 strikes on average, with a striking average of 44%. Landing 1.59 takedowns every 15 minutes, Moreno has a takedown defence of 64%, with his fights lasting an average of 17:08 minutes. With a striking average of 7% on the ground, Moreno hunts for the finish as soon as the fight hits the mats.

On the contrary, Taira is a quicker finisher, with fewer strikes but more TD attempts. With 3.21 takedowns every 15 minutes and 1.69 submissions, the Japanese fighter relies on both heavy strikes and submissions to clinch the fight. His fights average 11:05 minutes, with a terrifying striking accuracy of 60% and TD accuracy of 49%. Turns out, while Moreno goes for unrelenting attacks, Taira relies more on precision.

Despite an elite resume, defeating the likes of Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Royval, Moreno’s years at the top have taken a toll on him. In contrast, Tatsuro Taira is still young, hungry, and quickly climbing the ranks, supported by his precision striking and an impressive record. The real question? Will Moreno’s experience outclass Taira’s vigor and swift rise?

Stylistic clash between Moreno and Taira

Their collision is nothing short of a clash between the two worlds of MMA. Brandon Moreno brings the striking and pacing of a former champion with the experience of a veteran. His combinations, sharp jab, and mid-range boxing give him the upper hand in exchanges, which force his opponents into difficult positions. Changing from the five-round championship fights to this three-round format will be a challenge for him to prove how much he can impose his tempo early.

Tatsuro Taira, on the other hand, relies entirely on clean and slick grappling. He takes the best control of the position and immediately becomes a submission threat. When the fight goes down to the canvas, Taira is sure to dictate the rhythm. His style leans more on the aggressive side, but at the same time, patient. He likes to capitalise on his opponent’s mistakes.

When Moreno and Taira confront each other, the battle of the styles will be experience vs explosiveness. Moreno’s way is to keep the striking supremacy and use the high pace to outdo Taira’s grappling. Taira will look to bring the fight to the ground early, gain control, and work towards submission chances before Moreno can even find his rhythm.

Final prediction for Moreno vs Taira

The outcome could swing either way based on the first round. Should Moreno take control of the striking and keep a high pace at the beginning, his experience would help him carry the fight. On the other hand, if Taira imposes his grappling and puts Moreno in tough positions, he might even get Moreno to tap out.

In the end, it’s a battle of pacing and strategic game plan. While Moreno’s fight IQ can hand him a win by decision, Taira’s youth and submission instincts give him a path to an early victory. Ultimately, the odds seem ever-so slightly tilted towards Taira. Who’s your favorite to win between Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira? Comment below.