By Penny Buffington | MMA Fight Coverage
Las Vegas – The UFC returns to the APEX on Saturday, August 2, with a high-stakes flyweight showdown headlining UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALBAZI vs. TAIRA. The event features a main event clash between No. 3 ranked Amir Albazi and No. 5 Tatsuro Taira in a matchup that could determine the next title challenger at 125 pounds.
The action airs live on ESPN and ESPN+ in both English and Spanish, with prelims starting at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.
Main Event: Flyweight Fireworks
Amir Albazi (17-2), fighting out of Las Vegas by way of Baghdad, Iraq, enters his third consecutive main event with momentum and the rankings on his side. With wins over elite opposition including Kai Kara-France, Alessandro Costa, and Francisco Figueiredo, Albazi has proven he’s a serious threat to the title. Now, he’s looking to fend off a surging contender and protect his spot among the elite.
Opposite him stands Japan’s rising star Tatsuro Taira (16-1), fighting out of Okinawa. In just three years, Taira has rocketed into contention with impressive victories over Alex Perez, Carlos Hernandez, and Edgar Chairez. Known for his slick submissions and calm composure, Taira is eyeing a signature win to crack into the Top 3 and announce himself as a future title challenger.
Co-Main Event: Bantamweight Battle
Top-10 bantamweight Karol Rosa (18-7), fighting out of Niterói, Brazil, returns for her first bout of 2025. A gritty veteran with victories over Pannie Kianzad, Yana Santos, and Lina Länsberg, Rosa is known for her durability and forward pressure. She’ll meet France’s Nora Cornolle (9-2), who is riding a wave of momentum. With all but one of her wins coming by finish, Cornolle has made a name for herself with standout performances against Joselyne Edwards, Melissa Mullins, and Hailey Cowan.
Expect fireworks as Cornolle looks to notch the biggest win of her career and take Rosa’s spot in the rankings.
Other Fights to Watch
- Nick Klein (6-2) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (9-3): Two Dana White’s Contender Series alumni battle it out in middleweight action.
- Rodolfo Vieira (10-3) vs. Tresean Gore (6-3): A clash of grappling and power at middleweight.
- Andre Lima (11-0) vs. Felipe Bunes (14-7): A must-watch flyweight matchup featuring Lima’s undefeated record.
- Piera Rodriguez (10-2) vs. Ketlen Souza (15-5): A potential flyweight war between two DWCS veterans.
- Azamat Bekoev (10-2) vs. Torrez Finney (11-0): An undefeated Finney puts his record on the line against a dangerous Russian middleweight.
VIP Experience
Fans looking to elevate their fight night can explore the UFC APEX VIP Experience through UFC’s official partner, On Location. Premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, meet-and-greets with Octagon Girls, and more await those who want a once-in-a-lifetime event experience. Visit UFCVIP.com for details.
Stay locked in to UFC.com for additional fight announcements, updated bout cards, and event coverage.
