“Would 100% add it to arsenal” – Aljamain Sterling does ‘FUNK’ breakdown of Tatsuro Taira’s back takedown

Rare grappling sequence leading to victory has now caught the attention of a BJJ Black Belt.

“Would 100% add it to arsenal” – Aljamain Sterling does ‘FUNK’ breakdown of Tatsuro Taira’s back takedown

Aljamain Sterling gets interested in Tatsuro Taira's technique (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

Japanese star Tatsuro Taira picked up a second-round TKO win against Alex Perez at UFC Vegas 93 last weekend. The main event stoppage – albeit due to an injury, kept his undefeated streak intact. More to it, the rare way in which he won the fight now has the attention of one Aljamain Sterling.

Undefeated Taira took the back of his opponent in a unique body triangle hold. Alex Perez’s knees gave out as soon as Taira pulled him down. Taira showed flashes of brilliance in his first UFC headliner. With a good balance of striking and clinching, he won the show. Moreover, Aljamain Sterling is interested in it.

Serious question to my expert grapplers out there. Has straightening the leg of your partner on their back, ever caused a knee injury? Because I’ve never seen that until tonight. Taira looked great...I googled Otatsu lock and nothing comes up but omaplata videos. Please educate me. I’m a BJJ black belt and if this is a real thing, I would 100% add it to the arsenal.
Aljamain Sterling via X (@funkmasterMMA)
YouTube video

The move itself isn’t uncommon. Many within the Gracie Lineage tout such compound moves. Olympian wrestler Ben Askren teaches the move in his gym but deploys a claw to finish off the shoulder hold at the end. However, Taira, using the maneuver, came out of the blue. The Japanese star proved himself to be a legitimate threat in the flyweight division with that performance.

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Taira’s stoppage now has the attention of submissions experts and ex-champs. ‘The Funk Master’ frequents Fury Pro Grappling and ADCC Submission Fighting World Championships. Yet it took him a hot minute to get over the Renzo/Otatsu lock, a.k.a Broomstick takedown. It only goes to show that Taira is on the right path as a fighter.

UFC Vegas 93 Post-Fight Facts: Tatsuro Taira outshines with rare doozy

Japan’s top prospect, Taira, extended his undefeated running at UFC Vegas 93. He snagged a second-round TKO over Alex Perez in the main event at the UFC Apex. Additionally, the sequence of the finish, while not violent or satisfying, was one of a kind. It proved enough of a head-turner even for Aljamain Sterling.

Tatsuro Taira at UFC Vegas 93
Tatsuro Taira at UFC Vegas 93 (Source: UFC.go.com/agfight.com)

Accordingly, he earned $50,000 in “Performance of The Night” Fight bonuses at UFC Vegas 93. His 16-win MMA streak ties with Asu Almabayev for the longest among active UFC flyweight competitors. Taira’s five-fight streak is also only behind Alexandre Pantoja and Muhammad Mokaev [6].

What makes up for a good fighter? Head honcho Dana White sounds off on liking big finishers. That is why many wrestle-heavy prospects going the distance aren’t in UFC yet. Then there’s a pronounced all-around fighter, Justin Gaethje; the human ‘Highlight’ fits all the bills with striking and wrestling. If those are the parameters for a good fighter, Taira can boast 12 of his 16 career victories coming by stoppage.

The Team Paraestra Okinawa MMA fighter’s Renzo lock initiates the takedown from the back, extending one leg hook for leverage. The technique slides the leg at the pocket behind the kneecap. All a fighter does next is shift the body weight down, fall to the ground, and grip the shoulder blade, clawing in different holds. Such details prove why the orthodox flyweight is a top prospect in the 125-pound division.

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