Brandon Royal, one of UFC’s most exciting flyweight fighters, is set to headline UFC Vegas 98 on October 12, 2024, where he will face undefeated Japanese prospect Tatsuro Taira. However, the attention around this fight has also been drawn to Royval’s decision to turn down a potential clash with former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura at UFC 305 in Australia.
Royval’s decision is not just about the fight but also the broader implications for his career. He has spoken openly about the financial and strategic reasons that led him to choose Taira over Asakura, shedding light on how high-level fighters must weigh risk versus reward in their matchups. In this article, we’ll explore why Royval declined the fight with Asakura, what it means for his career, and what fans can expect from his upcoming about with Taira.
A Career-Defining Year for Brandon Royal
Brandon Royal has had a remarkable year in the UFC. Earlier in 2024, he picked up a career-defining win against former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, evening the score between them after their previous encounters. This victory catapulted Royval to the top of the flyweight rankings, securing him as the No. 1 contender. Despite having suffered losses to the current champion, Alexandre Pantoja, in the past, Royval is now closer than ever to another title shot.
The win over Moreno was crucial for the rankings and for Royval’s confidence. After coming up short in his first title shot against Pantoja, he knew another strong performance would solidify his position in the division. His victory over Moreno did exactly that, and now Royval is in a position where he can be more selective about his fights.
Why Royval Turned Down the Asakura Fight
The UFC offered Royval a fight against Kai Asakura, a former RIZIN bantamweight champion, at UFC 305 in Australia. Asakura is a rising star, and his signing with the UFC has generated a lot of buzz. A fight between Royval and Asakura would have been a thrilling contest for fans, but Royval had to consider more than just excitement when deciding.
Royal revealed that he asked for more money to take the fight in Australia, along with other accommodations. When the UFC declined to meet his requests, he decided to turn down the fight. His reasoning was clear: the risk wasn’t worth the reward.
Travelling to Australia would have meant a 10,000-mile journey, and Royval would have had to adjust to a new time zone and environment. Moreover, Australia’s higher taxes compared to the United States would have reduced his earnings from the fight. He would also need to bring his entire training team to ensure he could adjust properly before the fight.
In Royval’s own words, “I’m not going to go fight some dude who’s not in the UFC for not much money, all the way across the [world] where I’m not getting any sleep.” This decision highlights the financial considerations that fighters must consider when accepting fights, particularly regarding overseas events.
“I’m Not a Cheap Fighter Anymore”
One of the more colourful aspects of Royval’s explanation is his comparison of himself to a “prostitute.” While this may sound crude, he illustrates that fighters put their bodies on the line every time they step into the octagon. Royval’s value has increased now that he’s the No. 1 ranked flyweight, and he’s no longer willing to fight just anyone for a low payday.
“I’m an expensive prostitute,” Royval said, pointing out that he’s earned the right to demand more for his efforts. “I’m not just selling my body to anybody who will take it. I’ve got a price on me – I’m not just anybody.”
This statement reflects a larger issue within combat sports: fighters must advocate for themselves when negotiating fight contracts. As a top contender, Royval knows that he’s in a position of power and is determined to ensure that his fights are financially worthwhile.
The Fight Against Tatsuro Taira
Instead of facing Asakura, Royval will now fight Tatsuro Taira in the main event of UFC Vegas 98. Taira is an undefeated prospect from Japan, and while he may not have the same level of name recognition as Asakura, he’s still a dangerous opponent. For Royval, this fight makes more sense from a financial and career perspective.
Taira is a rising star in the UFC, and a win against him would further solidify Royval’s place at the top of the flyweight division. Additionally, the fight will take place in Las Vegas, so Royval can handle the logistical challenges of fighting in Australia. He can stay close to home, sleep in bed, and avoid the tax burden of fighting abroad.
What’s Next for Royval?
Looking ahead, Royval’s ultimate goal is to win the flyweight championship. He’s made it clear that he wants another shot at Alexandre Pantoja. The current champion, and a win against Taira would put him in prime position for that opportunity. However, Royval is also open to fighting Asakura in the future. Potentially in Japan, where the fight would hold special significance.
“Japan is a dream,” Royal said. “Kai Asakura is sick. That gets me out of bed, and I want to fight for a belt. If they want to hype Kai, I want to take that.”
While Asakura’s UFC debut has not been officially announced, rumours suggest he may face Pantoja for the title. If that happens, and Asakura wins, Royval could get his chance to fight him in a title match.
A Smart, Strategic Move
Brandon Royval’s decision to turn down the fight with Kai Asakura and instead face Tatsuro Taira is an innovative. Strategic move for his career. As the No. 1 ranked flyweight, Royval understands that he has leverage. And he’s using it to ensure that his fights are financially worthwhile and position him for another title shot. While fans may have been excited to see Royval and Asakura clash. There’s still a chance that fight could happen in the future – and when it does, it will be on Royval’s terms.
For now, all eyes are on UFC Vegas 98. Where Royval will look to maintain his momentum and prove. That he’s still the most exciting fighter in the flyweight division.
Tech enthusiast and digital expert, Techo Wise is the driving force behind techowise.com. With years of experience in viral trends and cutting-edge software tools, Techo Wise delivers insightful content that keeps readers updated on the latest in technology, software solutions, and trending digital innovations.
