Edgar Chairez knows a rematch with Tatsuro Taira is not within immediate reach. However, he’s confident he’ll eventually work himself into a position where a second meet with the Japanese contender makes sense.
Chairez (11-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Taira (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in July 2023. It was a fight he took with less than two weeks’ notice. The result left a bad taste in Chairez’s mouth, as he felt he had all the tools to get his hand raised, just not the time to sharpen them.
“It’s all words, but all say it and have it be on the record here,” Chairez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “You’ll see how quickly I can finish someone (Taira) in the top five of the world. I’ll make it look easy, so I can make it clear that I’m worthy of a title shot.
“If I’m being honest, Taira wasn’t a hard fight for me. I just had cardio difficulties, and I’m just a bit frustrated because I wasn’t fully prepared. I didn’t have the cardio to get up and keep hitting him. But anyway, all that frustration I’ve taken it out on my most recent fights. Right now, I’m prepared, and you guys will see the day at the Sphere.”
Chairez returns to the cage on Sept. 14, as he takes on Peru’s Kevin Borjas at UFC 306 in Las Vegas. He’s determined to put away Borjas and make a big statement so he can get matched up with someone in the rankings and eventually get closer to a potential rematch with Taira.
“People forget I debuted against No. 5 in the world, and I put it on him,” Chairez said. “That’s what I’m pushing for and that’s why I’m hoping to get, maybe not him, but a top 15. Then after that, it’s a lot easier to ask for a top 7 or 6. I just need to stay on course, keep working hard, and stay focused.
“For that fight (against Taira), I didn’t even prepare. Just with my experience I was able to do a lot. Right now, Taira will fight against No. 1, Brandon Royval, and I’m sure if he wins he’ll fight for the title. … I think if I finish Kevin Borjas in impressive fashion, I’ll get a good name for the end of the year or maybe even for UFC Mexico because I’ve heard that in February they return to Mexico.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.
