Tag: Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval Labels Next Opponent Tatsuro Taira ‘Overrated’

Brandon Royval attempts to continue making the case for why he deserves another flyweight title shot this weekend. The #1-ranked contender seemingly has less to gain than his opponent in their upcoming main event clash at the UFC Apex. Tatsuro Taira will be difficult to deny if he’s able to extend his undefeated streak in […]

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Brandon Royval attempts to continue making the case for why he deserves another flyweight title shot this weekend.

The #1-ranked contender seemingly has less to gain than his opponent in their upcoming main event clash at the UFC Apex.

Tatsuro Taira will be difficult to deny if he’s able to extend his undefeated streak in the UFC to seven by taking out his toughest test in “Raw Dawg”.

Royval knows that there’s a lot of hype around his next opponent and that gives him the opportunity to steal some of the momentum so that he can force his way into another rematch with the champion, Alexandre Pantoja.

The excitement around the 24-year old Taira is seemingly reflected in the betting odds for this fight that have the Japanese contender as the favorite.

Brandon Royval Believes That The Odds Makers Are Way Off On His Next Match-Up

In an interview with Mike Heck for MMA Fighting, Royval gave his reaction to being the underdog in this fight despite his experience at the top level.

The former title challenger has trained with his upcoming opponent in the past, stating in a different interview that they last worked together around a year ago.

Despite being impressed by Taira’s winning streak inside the Octagon, he did say that he was somewhat surprised to be fighting him this soon.

Royval told MMA Fighting that when he looks at the betting odds, he’s convinced that hype has led to things being the wrong way round, suggesting that Taira isn’t as good as this line suggests.

“When I saw that I’m like, am I seeing something wrong or whatever. I’m one of the most underrated dudes in the flyweight division, I’ve been thinking that for years and I also think Taira might be one of the most overrated guys in this division right now, and no disrespect on him. I’ve trained with him, he seems like a very nice kid and I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I do believe he’ll be a champion one day but I think he’s overrated and I think I’m underrated.”

Continue Reading Brandon Royval Labels Next Opponent Tatsuro Taira ‘Overrated’ at MMA News.

Brandon Royval On Failed Talks To Fight UFC Newcomer: ‘Asked For More Money…They Said No’

UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval returns to action on Saturday night at the Apex, but he nearly had a much different assignment a couple of months ago. Royval last competed in Mexico City this past February, where he exacted revenge on Brandon Moreno in their headlining rematch. With that result, “Raw Dawg” is ranked #1 […]

Continue Reading Brandon Royval On Failed Talks To Fight UFC Newcomer: ‘Asked For More Money…They Said No’ at MMA News.

UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval returns to action on Saturday night at the Apex, but he nearly had a much different assignment a couple of months ago.

Royval last competed in Mexico City this past February, where he exacted revenge on Brandon Moreno in their headlining rematch. With that result, “Raw Dawg” is ranked #1 at 125 pounds.

He’ll now have the chance to potentially secure another shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s title this weekend, when he tops a UFC Fight Night lineup at the Apex opposite the #5-ranked Tatsuro Taira.

Had the UFC’s plans come to fruition, however, Royval would have been set to compete in other surroundings against a fighter without a number next to their name — or a UFC fight on their record…

Royval On Rejecting Asakura Fight: ‘Not Getting A Guaranteed Title Shot, Not Getting More Money…’

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Royval looked ahead to his upcoming headliner with Taira and revealed that he was almost set for a much different test far from home.

“Raw Dawg” said he was offered the chance to welcome Kai Asakura to the promotion at the UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia this past August.

But after his requests for additional payment for the long-distance trip and guarantees of a title shot should he win were rejected, Royval opted against heading Down Under to face the former Rizin champion.

“They offered me that fight (Asakura) in Australia,” Royval said. “I asked them for more money, I asked for a handful of stuff, and they said no. And then I asked them for one of any of those things, and they said no. And I was like, all right, well, then I’m not gonna go f*cking fight some dude, not in the UFC, for not much money, all the way across the (world) where I’m not getting any sleep. I’m not getting any of this, I’m not getting a guaranteed title shot, I’m not getting any more money.

“I got to bring my whole team out there if I’m going to go out there because I need to get my Arcadian rhythm in cycle. So it’s like, I got to fly out my whole team and guys that look like Kai Asakura. So it was one of those (things where) financially, (it) doesn’t make sense to me,” Royval continued. “And then it’s also, like, the risk doesn’t (exceed) the reward. If I go out there and lose, I just lost (to) somebody without a ranking, and if I go out there and win, they’re not guaranteeing me a title shot or anything. So there was really no reward in that.”

Things have seemingly worked out well for Royval, who is now days away from facing a fellow top-five contender in what will mark his second consecutive UFC main event.

Continue Reading Brandon Royval On Failed Talks To Fight UFC Newcomer: ‘Asked For More Money…They Said No’ at MMA News.

Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau Booked For UFC Kansas City, Twitter Reacts

A UFC flyweight showdown between contenders Brandon Royval and Matheus Nicolau has been added to UFC Kansas City on April 15th. Royval returns after nearly a year away from fighting due to back-to-back fight cancelations last year. He was supposed to f…

A UFC flyweight showdown between contenders Brandon Royval and Matheus Nicolau has been added to UFC Kansas City on April 15th. Royval returns after nearly a year away from fighting due to back-to-back fight cancelations last year. He was supposed to face Askar Askarov and Amir Albazi before injury issues and Askarov’s botched weight cut….

Continue Reading Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau Booked For UFC Kansas City, Twitter Reacts at MMA News.

Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira Set To Headline Apex-Held UFC Fight Night On October 12

Top flyweights Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira will vie for a possible title shot in the main event of a UFC Fight Night this fall. On October 12, two of the world’s best at 125 pounds will have their respective second headliners of the year thus far, with former title challenger and #1-ranked contender Royval […]

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Top flyweights Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira will vie for a possible title shot in the main event of a UFC Fight Night this fall.

On October 12, two of the world’s best at 125 pounds will have their respective second headliners of the year thus far, with former title challenger and #1-ranked contender Royval tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Taira if he’s to stake his claim for a trilogy with Alexandre Pantoja.

This fight was first reported by @realkevink on X (formerly Twitter), and later confirmed by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff.

Royval, Taira Target Title Shot With UFC Main Event Win

When they make the walk for a five-round card-topper later this year, both Royval and Taira will look to ride the momentum from key results in 2024 all the way to the gold.

Royval (16-7) closed out his 2023 with an unsuccessful first title bid on MMA’s biggest stage, falling short on the scorecards against Pantoja at UFC 296. With that result marking his second setback to “The Cannibal,” it appeared “Raw Dawg” would be in for a lengthy journey back to the belt. But this past February, Royval capitalized on a late-notice opportunity to run it back with Brandon Moreno, avenging his 2020 loss to the former champ by way of split decision in Mexico City.

Taira (16-0), meanwhile, headlined a UFC Fight Night at the Apex four months later. After three wins last year to climb toward contention, the Japanese up-and-comer benefitted from a serious knee injury to Alex Perez this past June, which gave him the TKO stoppage in round two and paved the way for his rise to #5 in the flyweight pecking order.

With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night on October 12 are as follows:

  • Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira (flyweight main event)
  • Cody Garbrandt vs. Miles Johns (bantamweight)
  • Brad Tavares vs. Jungyong Park (middleweight)
  • Themba Gorimbo vs. Niko Price (welterweight)
  • Polyana Viana vs. Cory McKenna (women’s strawweight)
  • Josh Fremd vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (middleweight)
  • Grant Dawson vs. Rafa Garcia (lightweight)
  • Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Chris Barnett (heavyweight)
  • Chidi Njokuani vs. Jared Gooden (welterweight)
  • Clayton Carpenter vs. Lucas Rocha (flyweight)
Tatsuro Taira
Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

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Askarov Admits He “Wasn’t Ready” For Kara-France Bout

Askar Askarov has admitted that he was not ready before fighting Kai Kara-France in his most recent bout. “Bullet” debuted in the UFC with a split draw against current interim flyweight title holder Brandon Moreno in 2019. Askarov rebounded from that i…

Askar Askarov has admitted that he was not ready before fighting Kai Kara-France in his most recent bout. “Bullet” debuted in the UFC with a split draw against current interim flyweight title holder Brandon Moreno in 2019. Askarov rebounded from that initial setback to earn decision victories over Alexandre Pantoja as well as former flyweight…

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Royval Campaigned For Main Event Slot At UFC Vegas 62

It may not have worked out in the end, but Brandon Royval did everything he could to try and make himself the headliner for UFC Vegas 62. Royval was set to take on Askar Askarov on the event’s main card, and the battle between top men’s flyweight…

It may not have worked out in the end, but Brandon Royval did everything he could to try and make himself the headliner for UFC Vegas 62. Royval was set to take on Askar Askarov on the event’s main card, and the battle between top men’s flyweights was circled by many fans as a highlight…

Continue Reading Royval Campaigned For Main Event Slot At UFC Vegas 62 at MMA News.