Royval hands Taira first loss in classic UFC battle

Brandon Royval handed Tatsuro Taira his first career MMA loss in a classic flyweight main event at a UFC Fight Night at the APEX Facility in Las Vegas, on the morning of Sunday 13 October 2024.

In a superb contrast of styles that lasted through the course of five full rounds, Royval rallied late in the fight to ensure that he claimed a split decision (47-48 48-47 48-47) triumph and is best placed to have another shot at champion Alexandre Pantoja, having lost to the Brazilian in December of 2023.

Royval bossed the opening round, but Taira controlled round two after securing a takedown. Royval then almost stopped his opponent with his striking power in round three, only for Taira to get another takedown and threaten to choke the former title contender out.

Taira took back control of the fight by spending the majority of the fourth round wearing Royval out in dominant grappling positions. Yet Royval's relentlessness in the final round, as well as an improved takedown defence, saw him take a chaotic final round.

“I thought I was going to take him to school, I'll be honest," Royval said after the fight. "I thought that wasn't even going to be a close fight. I thought that would be over in the first round.

“Humble lessons learned. That kid is going to be a f***ing champion and I swear to God, I will do anything to help him get that one day. You are going to become a champion and I hope I can help you one day, bro.”

The rest of the main card featured a split decision win for Park Jun-yong over Brad Tavares in the middleweight division; Chidi Njokuani scored a unanimous decision win over Jared Gooden in a 172.5 lb catchweight fight; Grant Dawson stopped Rafa Garcia in the second round of their lightweight match; and a welterweight opener saw Daniel Rodriguez edge Alex Morono via split decision.

The UFC continues with another Fight Night next weekend at the APEX Facility in Las Vegas, headlined by a middleweight match between Anthony Hernandez and Michel Pereira.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Royval v Taira – Main card results

- Main event: Flyweight: Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira via split decision (47-48 48-47 48-47), R5, 5:00

- Middleweight: Park Jun-yong def. Brad Tavares via split decision (28-29 29-28 29-28), R3, 5:00

- Catchweight (172.5 lb): Chidi Njokuani def. Jared Gooden via unanimous decision (30-27 30-27 30-27), R3, 5:00

- Lightweight: Grant Dawson def. Rafa Garcia via TKO (elbows and punches), R2, 1:42

- Welterweight: Daniel Rodriguez def. Alex Morono via split decision (28-29 29-28 29-28), R3, 5:00