Prediction: Tatsuro Taira via Submission
Taira’s game is built on technical excellence, not brute force. His jiu-jitsu is clean, calculated, and always a step ahead. We’ve already seen how he performs when the lights get bright and the fight gets deep. That five-round war he went through proved he can dig into that second, third, even fourth wind. That’s not something you can teach. It’s instinct and grit, and it’s what separates guys who just have skills from the ones who know how to win.
But let’s not sugarcoat anything—this is no easy matchup. Park is a real problem on the feet. His striking is way sharper. He’s not out here winging wild shots or chasing finishes. He applies pressure like a slow burn, picks his moments, and when he lands, it hurts. He doesn’t get reckless, he doesn’t get sloppy, and his power will be a factor. If Taira tries to get too comfortable in striking exchanges and starts reacting to Park instead of making Park react to him, that’s when the tide shifts fast—and not in his favor.
Taira’s entire approach has to be built around discipline. Footwork first. Distance second. He can’t play the “let’s see who lands cleaner” game. He’s got to stay at range, dictate when the engagements happen, and use those moments to close the distance and chain his grappling. Because once it hits the mat, the balance tips hard.
Park has decent grappling, no doubt. He can scramble, and he’s strong—but strength can’t outlast pure technique forever. Park has shown he likes to muscle opponents down when he’s the one initiating the grappling, but that burns gas fast, especially when it’s not working. And against someone like Taira, who flows through transitions and doesn’t force things, that muscle-heavy style starts to crack.
If Taira commits early to the grappling, makes Park work from defensive positions, and doesn’t fall in love with the stand-up, the submission will come. It might not be instant, but the accumulation of back takes, mat returns, and constant threats will break Park down—mentally and physically. And that’s when Taira closes the show.