In most cases, Brandon Royval is someone who doesn’t hesitate to offer praise for his flyweight peers.
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.”
