5 June 2025– UFC is set to return to UFC APEX with a highly anticipated flyweight main event between No. 3 ranked Amir Albazi and No. 5 Tatsuro Taira. This pivotal clash headlines UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALBAZI vs. TAIRA, airing live in Asia on Sunday, August 3, with the prelims starting at 3:45 AM NPT and the main card at 06:45 AM NPT.
Main Event: Albazi vs. Taira
Amir Albazi (17-2), fighting out of Las Vegas by way of Baghdad, Iraq, enters his third consecutive main event determined to solidify his status among the elite at 125 pounds. Riding high after wins over Kai Kara-France, Alessandro Costa, and Francisco Figueiredo, Albazi aims to defend his top-tier ranking with a dominant performance.
Tatsuro Taira (16-1), representing Okinawa, Japan, continues his meteoric rise in the flyweight division. The 24-year-old sensation has earned notable victories over Alex Perez, Carlos Hernandez, and Edgar Chairez. Now, Taira looks to break into the Top 3 and assert himself as a future title challenger with a career-defining win over Albazi.
Co-Main Event: Rosa vs. Cornolle
In the bantamweight co-main event, No. 10 ranked Karol Rosa (18-7) of Brazil returns to action against France’s No. 12 ranked Nora Cornolle (9-2). Rosa, a proven veteran with wins over Pannie Kianzad, Yana Santos, and Lina Länsberg, looks to start her 2025 campaign with a statement. Cornolle, a powerful finisher with eight of her nine victories coming via stoppage, seeks the biggest win of her career and a spot in the top 10.
Additional Bouts on the Card Include:
- Middleweight Showdown: Nick Klein (6-2) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (9-3) – two Dana White’s Contender Series alumni collide
- Rodolfo Vieira (10-3) vs. Tresean Gore (6-3) – explosive middleweight bout with high stakes
- Flyweight Prospects: Andre Lima (11-0) takes on Felipe Bunes (14-7)
- Women’s Flyweight Action: Piera Rodriguez (10-2) vs. Ketlen Souza (15-5)
- Middleweight Rising Stars: Azamat Bekoev (10-2) vs. Torrez Finney (11-0), a battle of power and precision
Watch Live
UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALBAZI vs. TAIRA will be broadcast live in Japan on U-NEXT, UFC’s official broadcast partner, and on UFC Fight Pass globally.
Experience UFC APEX Live
Fans can attend the event in person with UFC APEX VIP Experience packages available via UFCVIP.com, offering premium seating, hospitality, Octagon Girl meet-and-greets, and more.
Stay tuned for an action-packed card as the flyweight division heats up with world-class talent and high-stakes matchups.
