UFC Flyweight Title Fight Postponed Due to Champion's Injury

Joshua Van's defense against Tatsuro Taira moved to UFC 328 in May

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured action of a UFC flyweight title fight, with sharp planes of color representing the fighters and octagon canvas.The postponement of the UFC flyweight title fight highlights the unpredictable nature of combat sports, where injuries can force changes to highly anticipated matchups.Newark Today

The UFC has announced that the scheduled UFC Flyweight Championship fight between champion Joshua Van and challenger Tatsuro Taira has been postponed from UFC 327 on April 11 to UFC 328 on May 9 due to an undisclosed injury sustained by the champion Van. The new co-main event for UFC 327 will be a light heavyweight bout between Azmat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa.

Why it matters

The UFC flyweight title fight between the defending champion Van and rising contender Taira was expected to be a highly anticipated matchup, so the postponement will disappoint fans looking forward to the bout. However, the UFC is taking the appropriate steps to ensure the champion is healthy before defending his title.

The details

Van won the UFC flyweight title in December 2025 by defeating the previous champion Alexandre Patoja. Taira has built an impressive 16-2 record, including a 9-1 mark in the UFC, and was set to challenge Van for the title at UFC 327. With the postponement, the new co-main event will feature a light heavyweight bout between Azmat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa.

  • The UFC Flyweight Championship fight between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira was originally scheduled for UFC 327 on April 11, 2026.
  • The fight has now been postponed to UFC 328 on May 9, 2026.

The players

Joshua Van

The current UFC Flyweight Champion who was scheduled to defend his title against Tatsuro Taira.

Tatsuro Taira

The challenger who was set to face Joshua Van for the UFC Flyweight Championship before the fight was postponed.

Azmat Murzakanov

The light heavyweight fighter who will now compete in the new co-main event at UFC 327 against Paulo Costa.

Paulo Costa

The light heavyweight fighter who will now compete in the new co-main event at UFC 327 against Azmat Murzakanov.

Khamzat Chimaev

The UFC Middleweight Champion who will headline UFC 328 against Sean Strickland.

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What they’re saying

“Due to injury with UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van, his co-main event bout with Tatsuro Taira has been moved to UFC 328: CHIMAEV vs STRICKLAND on Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.”

— UFC

What’s next

The rescheduled UFC Flyweight Championship fight between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira will now take place at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey.

The takeaway

This postponement highlights the unpredictable nature of combat sports, where injuries can force changes to highly anticipated matchups. However, the UFC is making the right decision to ensure the champion is fully healthy before defending his title, even if it means disappointing fans in the short term.