Preview: UFC 290 Prelims

Catchweight (130 lbs.)

Tatsuro Taira (13-0) vs. Edgar Chairez (10-4)
Odds: Taira (-950), Chairez (+650)

It's nice to see Tatsuro Taira get a quick turnaround after his fight last month was scrapped, as he's both one of the most promising prospects in the UFC's flyweight division and one of the promotion's top Japanese talents. Taira's an accurate striker, but truly shines once he's able to get his opponents to the mat; after controlling Carlos Candelario for the majority of his UFC debut, Taira scored slick submissions of C.J. Vergara and Jesus Aguilar to keep his hype train rolling. If there's a criticism of Taira, it's that he's historically been too patient for his own good in terms of picking his spots, but he has yet to meet the opponent that makes him pay for that tendency; UFC newcomer Edgar Chaivez is the latest to try and step up to the plate. Mexico's Chairez fits the mold of a lot of Taira's UFC opposition thus far as a scrappy and well-rounded fighter that should find some wins in the UFC, but is likely to have trouble hanging with Taira on the mat; Chairez brings a bit more to the table in terms of physical size, but he's on the lower end in terms of bringing the type of aggression that could take Taira out of his game. It may take him a bit to get going, but the pick is Taira via second-round submission.

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Lawler vs. Price
Della Maddalena vs. Harrell
Jauregui vs. Gomes
Crute vs. Menifield
Taira vs. Chairez
Petrino vs. Prachnio
Saaiman vs. Mitchell
Ross vs. Aguilar
Kirk vs. Ribovics