UFC Vegas 98: Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira: Live round-by-round updates
A flyweight matchup between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira will headline UFC Vegas 98, later this evening (Oct. 12) at the Apex facility in Las Vegas.
Royval (16-7), who was last seen in an impressive split decision win over the former champion Brandon Moreno would be hoping to earn a rematch against champion Alexandre Pantoja with a win this weekend.
'Raw Dawg' is 4-1 in his last five, with his only loss in recent years having come in against champion Pantoja.
Taira (16-0) has racked up one impressive win after another since debuting for the UFC in 2022. He holds six wins in the promotion and was last seen in a second-round TKO win against the No.6-ranked Alex Perez.
A win over Royval will propel him to the No.1 contender spot at 125 pounds, and possibly even land him a title shot in his next outing.
Per the bookmakers, Taira is a -258 favorite for the match, with 'Raw Dawg' as a +210 underdog.
The main card of UFC Vegas 98 is now underway. Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updates from the event.
Watch the final face-off between the main events below:
UFC Vegas 98: Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira
Round 1:
Royval opens with a high kick. The former title challenger is cautious in his approach, aware of the grappling threat. Taira cliches up with his opponent after his opponent throws a body kick, but is unable to capitalize on it.
Royval clips his opponent with a left hand. A body kick lands for Royval. He snaps his opponent's head back with another straight punch. Taira is getting pieced up. Royval's quick in and out movement is turning out to be an issue for the Japanese national.
Taira catches his opponent coming in with a straight punch, wobbling him. Taira pounces on the opportunity and takes his opponent down. He however momentarily gets caught in a hell hook, before getting out of danger.
Our score: 10-9 Royval.
Round 2
Taira connects with a right hand and follows it up with a left hook. Taira times a takedown and takes his opponent's back. He has a body triangle locked in. The 24-year-old is now patiently controlling his opponent denying his any opportunity to escape the position.
Taira is trying to lock in a rear naked choke. Royval rolls over to try and get out of the body triangle, but a proficient Taira drags his opponent back down to the canvas.
Taira is fighting his opponent's left hand to sneak his hand under Royval's chin to set up a rear naked choke. Taira transitions to top control before once again taking his opponent's back. Royval regains his footing in the final second of the round.
A dominant round for Taira.
Our score: 10-9 Taira.
Round 3
The Japanese national starts the round, connecting a one-two on his opponent. Royval now concerned with the take-down threat seems to be a bit gunshy. Taira explodes to try and attempt a level change, but Royval defends it.
A left-hand right uppercut combo lands for Royval. A slew of powerful shots lands for Royval. Big shots land for the No.1 contender. A desperate Taira jumps for a takedown, but a determined Royval defends it and gets back to his feet.
Taira eats a big knee while attempting a takedown. The 24-year-old is getting pieced up. As the fight goes to the ground, Royval goes for an arm bar. Taira rolls out of it before securing a body triangle.
Taira sinks in a rear naked choke. However, the choke is not tight. Royval survives the round.
Our score: 10-9 Royval.
Round 4
Royval seems intent on finishing the fight this round. He is trying to chain in combinations. However, Taira quickly forces a clinch, forces his opponent down to the canvas, and takes his back.
He is now working towards a rear naked choke. Taira is trying to get his hand under his opponent's chin. Taira is sneaking in short punches from the back to soften up his opponent and find opportunities to complete the choke.
Control time is adding up for Taira. A big round for the youngster.
Our score: 10-9 Taira.
Round 5
Royval is connecting on his opponent with quick one-twos. However, he is still aware of the takedown threat and is quickly moving out of range after each combination.
A left-hand uppercut combo lands for Royval, but Taira explodes to complete a takedown. Taira is trying to take his opponents back. Royval reverse position and gets on top of his opponent.
He transitions to his opponent's back before letting him back up. A barrage of punches lands for Royval. Taira's face is wearing a lot of damage. Taira attempts another takedown but is unsuccessful in completing it.
Taira puts his opponent down with a leg kick. Royval jumps on a guillotine. He transitions to his opponent's back and locks in a rear naked choke. While he fails to secure it, Royval finishes the round raining down punches on his opponent.
Our score: 10-9 Royval.
Official decision: Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira via split decision. (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Check out the official decision below: