Brandon Royval explains declining Kai Asakura fight at UFC 305 in Perth: "I'm not a cheap-a** prostitute anymore"
Brandon Royval turned down a fight with Kai Asakura at UFC 305 in Perth, explaining that the financial offer and circumstances weren’t worth the risk. Royval, currently the top-ranked UFC flyweight, said the opportunity to fight the former RIZIN champion excited him, but the terms offered by the UFC didn’t justify the effort of traveling across the world.
Royval noted that he requested more money and better conditions for the fight, but when the UFC declined, he opted out. Speaking to MMA Fighting, 'Raw Dawg' said:
“I asked them for more money, I asked for a handful of stuff, and they said no. And then I asked them for one of any of those things, and they said no. And I was like, all right, well, then I’m not gonna go f**king fight some dude, not in the UFC, for not much money, all the way across the [world] where I’m not getting any sleep. I’m not getting any of this, I’m not getting a guaranteed title shot, I’m not getting any more money."
He further added:
"I'm not a cheap-a** prostitute anymore. I'm not just selling my body to anybody."
Check out Brandon Royval's comments below:
While he turned down Asakura in Perth, Royval expressed interest in facing him if the UFC returns to Japan in 2025.
Brandon Royval to fight Tatsuro Taira in APEX for UFC Vegas 98 headliner
Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira are set to face off in a pivotal UFC APEX headliner in Las Vegas on Oct 12.
Royval rebounded from his failed title bid at UFC 296 with a hard-fought split-decision victory over Brandon Moreno in February. Known for his aggressive style, Royval has consistently faced Top 15 opponents since joining the UFC in 2020, boasting notable wins over Kai Kara-France and Matheus Nicolau.
Meanwhile, the undefeated Tatsuro Taira has been a rising force in the flyweight division. Taira extended his unbeaten streak to 16-0 after a dominant second-round stoppage of Alex Perez in June, adding another finish to his already impressive record.
This fight is key for both men as they vie for a top contender spot in the division.