UFC Fight Night Alex Perez vs Tatsuro Taira: Fight Card, Date, Time, Telecast & Live Streaming Info

UFC Apex will main event Alex Perez vs Tatsuro Taira

This weekend’s UFC APEX event will feature a vital flyweight showdown between former title contender Alex Perez and unbeaten rising star Tatsuro Taira.

This Saturday’s lineup, which includes intriguing young talents and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) graduates, promises to be exciting as this group of competitors seeks to make their mark inside the Octagon and advance in their respective UFC careers.

UFC Fight Night 242 Main Card

• Alex Perez vs Tatsuro Taira
• Ikram Aliskerov vs Antonio Trocoli
• Timmy Cuamba vs Lucas Almeida
• Douglas Silva de Andrade vs Miles Johns
• Asu Almabayev vs Jose Johnson
• Brady Hiestand vs Garrett Armfield

UFC Fight Night 242 Prelims Card

• Tagir Ulanbekov vs Joshua Van
• Jimmy Flick vs Nate Maness
• Josh Quinlan vs Adam Fugitt
• Carli Judice vs Gabriella Fernandes
• Jeka Saragih vs Westin Wilson
• Josefine Knutsson vs Julia Polastri
• Melquizael Costa vs Shayilan Nuerdanbieke

Brady Hiestand vs Garrett Armfield

The main card features promising bantamweight, Brady Hiestand and Garrett Armfield. Hiestand has won back-to-back grueling fights over Fernie Garcia and Batgerel Danaa since losing by a split decision in the TUF 29 bantamweight finale. In each fight, the Sikjitsu representative showed perseverance and grit, overcoming adversity to win.

Armfield made his UFC debut at featherweight, losing a rematch to promising prospect David Onama. Back in the 135-pound weight class, the Marathon MMA representative has had consecutive strong performances, defeating Toshiomi Kazama in the opening round before outhustling Brad Katona at UFC 297 in Toronto earlier this year.

Asu Almabayev vs Jose Johnson

The first of the main card’s two flyweight bouts pit Asu Almabayev against Jose Johnson. Almabayev received a trip to the Octagon after winning 13 straight fights, and he’s added two more victories in his first two UFC appearances to bring his total to 19-2. The 30-year-old from Kazakhstan has outstanding wrestling skills and the potential to make an impression in the 125-pound weight class if he can maintain his current form this weekend.

After a poor performance in his professional debut against Da’Mon Blackshear, Johnson bounced back with a good effort and late-fight finish against Chad Anheliger in mid-November. The 29-year-old, a member of the DWCS Class of ’22, is 4-1 in his previous five fights, all against strong opposition, and has the opportunity to add a big win in this one on Saturday.

Douglas Silva de Andrade vs Miles Johns

Douglas Silva de Andrade and Miles Johns, both experienced bantamweights, face off here, hoping to build on great performances from their previous fights. Since returning to the 135-pound division, the 38-year-old Brazilian has won three of four fights, improving his record to 29-5 with one no-contest. In his most recent outing, “DSDA” defeated Cody Stamann via unanimous decision in another competitive encounter between divisional mainstays.

Johns is unbeaten in his previous three fights and has a 4-1 record, with one no-contest in his last six. He’s settled back into life in Missouri, where he trains under Trey Ogden at Marathon MMA, and he’s once again emerging as a rising star in the talented 135-pound division.

Timmy Cuamba vs Lucas Almeida

This weekend, lightweights Timmy Cuamba and Lucas Almeida will square battle in what promises to be an action-packed fight amid the main show. Last season on the Contender Series, Cuamba won great over Mateo Vogel but did not receive a contract. After adding another win to his CV, he was called in on short notice in February, when he lost a close split decision to Bolaji Oki, ending his five-fight winning streak.

Almeida followed a similar road to the Octagon, demonstrating his abilities in Season 5 of the Contender Series, winning on the regional level, and then stepping in on short notice to defeat Michael Trizano in his professional debut. He has lost his past two fights against seasoned featherweights Pat Sabatini and Andre Fili, and he hopes to put that run of defeats behind him now.

Ikram Aliskerov vs Antonio Trocoli

The co-main event pits rising middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov against short-notice substitute Antonio Trocoli. Aliskerov, a member of the DWCS Class of ’22, won his first two UFC fights by first-round stoppage last year, easily defeating Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves. The 31-year-old former Combat Sambo world champion is 15-1 overall and a dark horse in the 185-pound division.

Trocoli has previously been sought for a number of short-notice opportunities, but he has yet to enter the UFC cage. The 33-year-old newcomer has gone unbeaten in his previous four fights and has the potential to make a big impact in his new surroundings if he can join Khamzat Chimaev as the only fighter to defeat Aliskerov.

Alex Perez vs Tatsuro Taira

In the main event, Alex Perez battles Tatsuro Taira, an up-and-coming fighter. In March, Perez returned to competition for the first time in 20 months but lost to another emerging contender, Muhammad Mokaev. But he rebounded back in a big manner eight weeks later, dramatically defeating Matheus Nicolau for his first win since the summer of 2020.

In the main event, Alex Perez battles Tatsuro Taira, an up-and-coming fighter. In March, Perez returned to competition for the first time in 20 months but lost to another emerging contender, Muhammad Mokaev. But he rebounded back in a big manner eight weeks later, dramatically defeating Matheus Nicolau for his first win since the summer of 2020.

UFC Fight Night 242: Date, Time and Venue

UFC Fight Night 242 is scheduled for Saturday, June 15, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. UK (Sunday)/ 7:30 a.m. India (Sunday). The main event cagewalks for Perez vs. Taira are expected to take place at approximately 1 a.m. ET (Sunday) / 6 a.m. UK (Sunday) / 10:30 a.m. (Sunday). Please note that these timings may vary depending on the duration of the main card fights.

Where to watch?

To catch all the action of UFC Fight Night 242, tune in to the ESPN+ Pay-Per-View (PPV) platform. UFC enthusiasts can access the event through ESPN+ for an exclusive viewing experience. Don’t miss out on the epic showdowns and pivotal matchups – subscribe to ESPN+ PPV and witness the thrill of UFC Fight Night 242 from the comfort of your screen.

Where to watch UFC Fight Night 242 in India?

UFC Fight Night 242 will be aired live on Sony Sports Network in India. UFC St. Louis can be streamed live on www.sonyliv.com in India.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.