Saturday’s UFC Vegas 98 main event was all about opportunity, for one half of the equation at least. Tatsuro Taira, an undefeated flyweight stand-out, was on the brink of a title shot with a win. Brandon Royval? Not so much, after his loss to Alexandre Pantoja, though a win over Brandon Moreno earlier this year kept him in the mix.
The next title shot, coincidentally, had been announced earlier in the day, and will go to Kai Asakura. Pantoja vs. Asakura will be the co-headliner of UFC 310 in December, and sets the stage for an all-Japan finale somewhere down the road, should both Asakura and Taira prove victorious. And should the UFC opt to pursue what would obviously be a historic fight.
Early on in the UFC Vegas 98 main event, Royval fired a high kick, then attempted a repeat, only to have his leg caught roughly a minute in. “Raw Dawg” fought off the ensuing takedown attempt, and they reset at center. As the round progressed, Royval found his range, at one point connecting with a 1-2 down the middle that had Taira’s head snapping back. Royval then landed a kick to the body, and followed up with a spinning back elbow that was glancing at best. Still, Taira was encountering a bit of adversity, until a Royval stumble saw the Japanese star rush forward, and eventually get the fight to the ground.
Unable to find a finish at the end of the first, Tatsuro Taira was on the back and dragging Royval down inside of a minute in round two. With a body triangle locked in place, he rode Royval’s back as the American tried in vain to reverse. Instead, it was Taira threatening mount, then returning to the back, flattening Royval out momentarily. Royval had moments where it seemed like there was light at the end of the tunnel – but Taira would retake dominant position. Taira was putting on a grappling clinic, flowing from position to position.
Round three saw Royval raining down hammer fists as Taira shot in for a takedown attempt (and ate a knee for his efforts). Royval stuffed that, with his back to the fence, and turned off the cage. Back at center, Royval landed a couple of clean blows up top. Suddenly, Tatsuro Taira was being lit up and retreating. He dove for a leg, barely had it, but barely was enough. He took Royval to the fence, looking to have turned the tables, but Royval reversed, and forced things back up. An exhausted Taira made a slow-motion dive for a leg, but was getting cracked. The ref took a good look, but Taira survived. And Royval, for reasons unknown, opted to pursue a submission over position (or just ground n’ pound). A Royval arm-bar attempt led to Taira reversing, getting a body triangle, and taking the back!
With mere seconds left in the third round, Taira tried to secure a rear-naked choke. He came close, but just didn’t have it.
Tatsuro Taira wisely went after a takedown early in round four. He threatened to take the back then dragged Royval down and did just that. Soon enough, the body lock was in place. Nearly four minutes remained on the clock. A patient, tenacious Taira moved from the back, to mount, to back again, softening Royval up in the process. No finish was to be found in the fourth, however.
Taira again was in the driver’s seat in round five. He had Royval on his back by the fence, with Royval looking to wall-walk. Royval was able to at least reverse, getting in the driver’s seat after giving away round four. Taira got up, but Royval planted him back down. Taira however, got up again, and this time they separate – a benefit for Royval who had the blatant striking advantage. A few exchanges, and Taira went after a takedown, fought off by Royval, who was looking to finish strong. Taira however would land one last takedown, only for Royval to defend with a guillotine and reverse to mount! Royval put on a face crank, and finished the round hunting an arm-bar!
Official Result: Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
