Brandon Royval split decisions Tatsuro Taira UFC Vegas 98 main event

Saturday’s UFC Vegas 989 event was headlined by a flyweight bout between top contender Brandon Royval and fifth-ranked Tatsuro Taira.

Royval entered the bout coming off a win over former two-time titleholder Brandon Moreno. The former title challenger has won four of his last five fights. Taira brought an undefeated record (16-0) with him to the octagon. He had last fought in January, defeating Alex Perez via TKO. 

Both fighters were careful in the early going, measuring distance.  Taira caught a body kick and looked to get the fight to the ground but Royval defended the attempt.  Taira connected with a clean right hand.  Royval pawed with his jab and looked to set up head kicks.  Taira stayed just out of the way of them.  As Taira closed this distance, Royval delivered a left hand.  Royval found the timing early and began landing left hands and elbows as Taira entered the pocket.  

During an exchange, Royval stumbled and Taira used the opportunity to close the distance and clinch.  He pulled Royval away from the cage and took him down in the center of the octagon.  Royval isolated a leg but Taira pulled his leg free.  MMAWeekly scored the first round 10-9 for Royval.  

Taira landed a right hand to start the second frame.  Royval moved forward with a knee and Taira changed levels and took him down.  He took Royval’s back and delivered short punches while applying a body triangle.  Taira remained on Royval’s back and looked to secure a rear-naked choke.  Royval remained calm but Taira remained in control.  Royval got to his feet in the final seconds.  MMAWeekly scored the second round 10-9 for Taira  

Taira connected with a combination in the opening seconds of the third round.  Royval responded with a left hand.  Royval landed a left hand as Taira closed the distance.  Taira looked to get the fight to the ground.  Royval defended the attempt and landed shots in the process.  Royval started landing more and more shots.  His left hand regularly found a home.  Taira went in retreat.  He clinched and Royval secured a takedown.  Taira appeared to have slowed.  

With two minutes remain in the round, Royval picked up the aggression.  Taira worked for a takedown but ended up on bottom after absorbing a knee.  Royval took Taira’s back and looked to lock up an arm bar.  Taira defended the submission attempt and gained top position.  He took Royval’s back.  He applied a rear-naked choke but Royval survived the round.  It was a close round but MMAWeekly scored it 10-9 for for Royval.  

They exchanged right hands early in the fourth.  Royval delivered a combination and Taira quickly closed the distance and took Royval down.  He took the top contender’s back and applied a body triangle.  Royval tried to get himself out of the bad position but Taira remained in control.  Taira delivered elbows but didn’t dish out a lot of damage.  He seemed more concerned with working for chokes.  Royval fought the hands of Taira but lost the round.  MMAWeekly scored it 10-9 for Taira.  

Heading into the final frame, the fight was 2-2 on the MMAWeekly scorecard.  Royval’s corner told him to focus on boxing and avoid being taken down at all costs.  

Royval pressured Taira in the final round and landed a combination early.  Royval used punches too keep Taira on the outside but it only landed so long.  90 seconds into the round, Taira put Royval on the ground.  Royval reversed the position.  Taira got to his feet but Royval slammed him back to the canvas.  Taira again got up and Royval separated with two minutes left on the clock.  

Royval connected with a combination.  He landed a heavy left. hand.  Taira clinched but couldn’t get the takedown.  Taira landed right hand and Royval responded with a combination. Taira went for a double leg takedown but Royval applied a guillotine choke.  Taira rolled to escape and Royval took his back.  Royval applied a body triangle and worked for an arm bar at the bell.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Royval.    

The judges scored the fight for Royval via split decision.  The scorecards read 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47.