In most cases, Brandon
Royval is someone who doesn’t hesitate to offer praise for his
flyweight peers.
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That includes Tatsuro
Taira, who gave “Raw Dawg” all he could handle in the
UFC Vegas 98 headliner on Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las
Vegas. While Taira spent the better part of two rounds attached to
Royval’s back, the Factory X product was able to do enough quality
work on the feet to earn a split-decision triumph. Though Royval
has expected great things from Taira, he didn’t necessarily
anticipate the struggles he would have to endure against the
Japanese standout to get his hand raised.
“I didn’t expect any of that s—t. I thought I was gonna cruise
through him, honestly,” Royval said at Saturday’s post-fight press
conference. “I give that kid a lot of respect. I give that kid a
lot of praise. I 100% believe that he’s gonna be a champion one
day. I said that before this fight took place. I said that before I
even knew we were gonna fight. I have a post from like two years
back and I’m like, ‘I’m here with the future of the flyweight
division.’
“That being said, I thought I was gonna cruise through him. I
didn’t think that fight was gonna be close. I thought two minutes
in the first round, you’re gonna see me walk out with a submission
or a knockout. I’m fifth round in, I’m looking at my corner and I’m
like, I can’t believe this s—t went this far.”
Since falling to Alexandre
Pantoja in a flyweight title bout at UFC 296 last December,
Royval has secured back-to-back triumphs over Brandon
Moreno and Taira. Royva believes he has done enough to be the
division’s No. 1 contender in waiting.
“I see a title shot next. There’s no other way about it,” Royval
said. “I have a win over the whole Top 5 of the division. I’m all
about rematches, but with that being said, I earned my way to a
title shot. I took a short notice against the No. 1. I just took
out the hottest prospect in the division. I think a title shot is
what’s next for me, and I’ll be the backup for the title fight in
December.”
That aforementioned title fight will see Pantoja defend the
125-pound belt against Octagon newcomer Kai Asakura
in the co-main event of UFC 310
on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas. While some have questioned Asakura getting
a title shot in his promotional debut, Royval is well aware of the
Rizin Fighting Federation veteran’s talent.
“I’ve been watching Kai Asakura
for a while. I think he’s sick.” Royval said. “I think there’s a
clot of cool things. He’s yet to make flyweight, so I’ll be there,
and I’ll be ready just in case he doesn’t. That being said, I’ll
give that man his roses. I think he brings a lot of excitement to
the division, and I think he could take out Pantoja. If Pantoja
grapples him at all, it’s going to be over. That being said, the
fight starts on the feet.”
Royval also acknowledged that Amir Albazi
has a say in the flyweight title picture. Albazi will return to
action against Moreno at
UFC Edmonton on Nov. 2 after more than a year on the sidelines.
However, Royval didn’t have much positive to say regarding the
Iraqi contender.
“I think he’s the big ‘what if,’” Royval said. “But that being
said, I’ve never been that impressed by his performances. I don’t
really expect anything different.”