UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van expressed surprise after learning his next opponent at UFC 327 would be Tatsuro Taira rather than the anticipated Manel Kape. The matchup was recently confirmed ahead of the event, marking a shift from initial expectations that Van would face Kape for the flyweight title defense.
Among the contenders considered for the fight were Alexandre Pantoja, pending his recovery, and Manel Kape, who appeared to be the favored challenger. Van and Kape had exchanged heated messages on social media, fueling speculation that they would meet in the octagon, but the UFC ultimately opted for Taira.
Joshua Van Shares His Perspective on the Booking
In an interview following UFC Fight Night 267, Van explained the circumstances surrounding the opponent decision and the short notice of the fight. He revealed that when the Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes bout was canceled, the UFC contacted him with just two weeks’ notice to step in.
“When I was in Cali, they called me on short notice because Kayla (Harrison) vs. Amanda Nunes fell off,”
Van said on Paramount’s UFC Fight Night 267 post-fight show.
He continued, outlining the confusion about the opponent’s identity:
“They offered me two weeks notice and I immediately said yes. I guess they called Manel and he said he can’t, so I said, Ok, cool.”
Van also addressed picking his preferred rival:
“He called me out for March 7 and Mick (Maynard) and my managers said, ‘Who you want: Manel or Taira for March 7?’ I said Manel, and I said yes on my part, and I don’t know what happened. A couple of days later, they said Taira.”
Additionally, when asked about the matchup by Alan Jouban, Van admitted his agreement with opinions favoring Kape as a more logical opponent but remained uncertain about the change.
“That’s what I thought, too,”
Van said.
“We were going off on Twitter. I said yes, and I guess something happened on his part. The UFC said Taira.”
Implications of the Opponent Switch and Future Expectations
The switch in opponents for Joshua Van at UFC 327 has left fans and the champion himself somewhat unsettled given the previous build-up toward a showdown with Manel Kape. How this change will influence Van’s preparation and fight strategy remains to be seen, with Taira presenting a different challenge than initially anticipated.
As the UFC flyweight champion adjusts to this late alteration, the fight’s outcome could have significant consequences for the division’s landscape. Fans continue to debate which matchup would have been more fitting, while Joshua Van prepares to defend his title against Tatsuro Taira in the upcoming event.
