Tag: Brandon Royval

‘New Mythical Fighter: Round 5 Royval’ – Fans & Fighters React As Brandon Royval Edges Out Tatsuro Taira In Crazy UFC Fight Night Main Event

A highly anticipated UFC Fight Night main event between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira lived up to the hype and then some. And after five rounds of back-and-forth, hard-fought action, Royval ultimately came out on top in a split decision. Royval appeared to be getting the better of Taira through most of the first round, […]

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A highly anticipated UFC Fight Night main event between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira lived up to the hype and then some. And after five rounds of back-and-forth, hard-fought action, Royval ultimately came out on top in a split decision.

Royval appeared to be getting the better of Taira through most of the first round, landing shots that snapped Taira’s head back. The Japanese fighter, however, appeared to possibly stun the former title challenger late in the round and scored a takedown before its conclusion.

Taira got back to work in the second round, scoring a takedown early and looking for multiple submission attempts from the back. Royval defended well, but Taira maintained a body triangle and twisted “Raw Dawg” and his limbs on more than one occasion.

Royval, however, got control back by tagging Taira with a number of hard shots, which had referee Jason Herzog looking close to intervening for the TKO stoppage. The #1-ranked contender went to the ground with Taira and looked for an armbar. However, Taira got out of it and got right back to Royval’s back, looking for a rear-naked choke in the round’s closing seconds.

Taira brought the fight back to the ground and was in control for nearly the whole of the fourth stanza, riding in top position and working Royval over with his grappling. This led to a suspenseful and highly anticipated final round.

Royval was getting the better of Taira on the feet, but the latter brought the fight back to the mat. “Raw Dawg,” however, worked his way back to the feet and landed some strong shots. Royval then went for a guillotine and several other submission attempts, staying in control on the ground until the final horn.

Royval Wins Competitive, Entertaining Flyweight Main Event vs. Taira, Ends Taira’s Undefeated Record

Royval has now won five of his last six fights, with his sole loss in that span coming from an unsuccessful challenge of flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296 last December

Meanwhile, the loss marks the first of Taira’s professional career after starting his Octagon tenure at 6-0.

Continue Reading ‘New Mythical Fighter: Round 5 Royval’ – Fans & Fighters React As Brandon Royval Edges Out Tatsuro Taira In Crazy UFC Fight Night Main Event at MMA News.

Brandon Royval Sees “Strong Possibility” UFC Newcomer Could Beat Alexandre Pantoja

Brandon Royval is set to return this weekend at the UFC Apex where he faces the undefeated Tatsuro Taira in the main event. Even after beating Brandon Moreno last time out to cement his status as the #1-ranked flyweight in the division, handing Taira his first win may not be enough for him to secure […]

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Brandon Royval is set to return this weekend at the UFC Apex where he faces the undefeated Tatsuro Taira in the main event.

Even after beating Brandon Moreno last time out to cement his status as the #1-ranked flyweight in the division, handing Taira his first win may not be enough for him to secure a second title shot.

“Raw Dog” has already suffered two defeats to the current champion, Alexandre Pantoja, which makes it significantly harder to put him straight back in.

Royval spoke in a recent interview with Inside Fighting about how the talk of who will be Pantoja’s next challenger has been pretty quiet.

After he faced a surprising opponent in Steve Erceg last time out, it would have likely been Muhammad Mokaev as the next in line if he was still with the promotion.

Royval, however, believes that it could be a new arrival into the division that is next for the champ.

Brandon Royval Says That Kai Asakura Could Be The Man To Beat Alexandre Pantoja

Earlier this year in June, the UFC was announced to have signed RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura.

The 30-year old Japanese star has got a huge fan following back in his native country and by all accounts, would be jumping in at the deep end once he arrived inside the Octagon.

Royval took this as him facing Pantoja down at 125-pounds, as he told Inside Fighting.

“I mean I thought it was Kai Asakura. I thought that was who the next fight would be and I was like, if I win this fight, I’m just gonna call out Pantoja or Asakura. But I mean I’ve still never heard anything so maybe it’s like I’m just starting these rumours myself.”

Royval was also asked how he would feel about someone new entering the promotion and jumping right into a title shot.

His response was that someone new being the champion would help his case for another title shot and in his opinion, Asakura would have a good chance of beating Pantoja.

“Oh I don’t give a s***, as long as it doesn’t affect my road, it would be dope if he wins because if he wins, I for sure get the next title shot. In my opinion, I don’t really care. I just try to get in there when I fit in there so I think if he wins and beats Alexandre Pantoja, which I think is a strong possibility, then I could go fight Kai Asakura.” 

Read also: Leon Edwards’ Brother On Loss To Belal Muhammad: ‘Always Had Unfair Situations Given To Him!’

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Video – UFC flyweight standout Brandon Royval drug tested while at a restaurant

Video - UFC flyweight standout Brandon Royval drug tested while he was at a restaurantNo. 1 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval couldn’t even sit down to eat without having to give a urine…

Video - UFC flyweight standout Brandon Royval drug tested while he was at a restaurant

No. 1 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval couldn’t even sit down to eat without having to give a urine sample.

‘Raw Dawg’ recently revealed on his Instagram stories that a representative with DFSI (Drug Free Sport International) interrupted his meal at a local restaurant to complete one of the promotion’s no-notice drug tests.

“LOL they really drug testing me everywhere,” Royval captioned the video.

After eight years, the UFC ended its partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency in favor of an in-house system. Today, DFSI handles sample collection while the actual sample testing goes through SMRTL (Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory), considered by many in the industry to be the top anti-doping testing laboratory in the world.

Brandon Royval’s latest win forces the UFC to think outside the box for its next flyweight title challenger

Coming up short against reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296 last year, Brandon Royval bounced back last month, scoring a big split decision victory over former titleholder Brandon Moreno on short notice. The win solidified his spot at the top of the 125-pound rankings.

Brandon Royval vs. Brandon Moreno

His win also put the promotion in a bit of a pickle when it came to booking Pantoja’s next title fight.

As a result, Steve Erceg, who is coming off just his third win inside the Octagon, will challenge ‘The Cannibal’ in the UFC 301 headliner on Saturday, May 4 in Rio de Janeiro.

Pantoja vs. Erceg

Brandon Royval calls out flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja in fiery post-fight interview at UFC Mexico City

Brandon RoyvalBrandon Royval wants another crack at flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. Stepping up on short notice after Brandon Moreno’s originally…

Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval wants another crack at flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.

Stepping up on short notice after Brandon Moreno’s originally scheduled opponent — Amir Albazi — bowed out due to a neck injury, Royval delivered a solid performance throughout their five-round headliner, earning a split-decision victory over ‘The Assassin Baby’ inside Mexico City’s Arena CDMX.

Following the contest, a fired-up Royval called out Pantoja, who was sitting cageside for the festivities.

“I’m a f*cking gangster. I’m the realest one in this flyweight division,” Royval said while speaking with Paul Felder. Everybody wants to grapple me all day. Speaking of grappling, I hear Pantoja’s in the building. Let’s run that sh*t back motherf*cker. Ain’t no motherf*cker holding me down ever again. I’m going to people’s house and I’m taking their f*cking sh*t. All day, every day. Brandon ‘Raw Dog’ motherf*ckin’ Royval in the building. Westside!”

Is anyone interested in Brandon Royval vs. Alexandre Pantoja 3?

Brandon Royval has stepped inside the Octagon with Pantoja on two separate occasions, the first coming at a Fight Night event in August 2021. Pantoja earned a submission via RNC in the second round. Two years later, they would run it back in a flyweight title tilt at UFC 296 in December. ‘The Cannibal’ once again came out on top, this time by unanimous decision.

With Royval already coming up short against Pantoja twice, a third fight between the two would be a hard sell for fight fans. But with the UFC in desperate need of a flyweight title contender not named Brandon Moreno, ‘Raw Dog’ may be the best option at hand.

Brandon Royval defies the odds, scores split decision over Brandon Moreno – UFC Mexico City Highlights

Brandon RoyvalBrandon Royval stepped into the UFC Mexico main event as a +220 underdog, but that didn’t stop him from…

Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval stepped into the UFC Mexico main event as a +220 underdog, but that didn’t stop him from delivering a show-stealing performance against former flyweight world champion Brandon Moreno.

More than three years removed from their first meeting when ‘The Assassin Baby’ scored a last-second TKO, Royval earned some redemption, outlasting Moreno in a five-round back-and-forth war inside Arena CDMX in Mexico City. ‘Raw Dog’ threw an incredible 370 significant strikes during the 25-minute affair, though he only landed a lowly 28%. Still, that was enough to outstrike Moreno in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds which ultimately sealed the victory on two of the three scorecards.

Official Result: Brandon Royval def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)

Following the bout, Royval called for a rematch with reigning flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja, who was sitting cageside for the festivities. Royval came up short against Pantoja at UFC 296 in December, but his impressive short-notice showing against Moreno may put him right back in line for another shot at gold.

Check Out Highlights From Brandon Royval vs. Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico:

Brandon Royval scores brutal knee, elbow strikes KO win over Matheus Nicolau – UFC Kansas City Highlights

Brandon Royval KO's Matheus Nicolau with knee strikes UFC Kansas City HighlightsAttempting to stamp his ticket for his first title challenge under the promotional banner, streaking flyweight contender, Brandon Royval turns in his third consecutive victory — finishing Brazilian staple, Matheus Nicolau with a first round knee and elbow strikes knockout on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night Kansas City. Entering tonight’s high-stakes clash with […]

Brandon Royval KO's Matheus Nicolau with knee strikes UFC Kansas City Highlights

Attempting to stamp his ticket for his first title challenge under the promotional banner, streaking flyweight contender, Brandon Royval turns in his third consecutive victory — finishing Brazilian staple, Matheus Nicolau with a first round knee and elbow strikes knockout on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night Kansas City.

Entering tonight’s high-stakes clash with Brazilian contender, Nicolau boasting the #4 rank in the official flyweight pile, Factory X trainee, Royval had landed a pair of triumphs over both Rogerio Bontorin, and Matt Schnell ahead of tonight’s outing in Missouri.

Voicing his interest in serving as an official back-up to this July’s flyweight title fight rematch between past-foes, Brandon Moreno, and Alexandre Pantoja, Royval likely staked his claim for title contention with tonight’s victory.

Stopping Minas Gerais finisher, Nicolau, Royval countered strikes from the Brazilian with a knee straight up the middle, before jumping into guard and landing a series of heavy elbows, securing a first round knockout win.

Below, catch the highlights from Brandon Royval’s KO win over Matheus Nicolau