Brandon Royval has a vested curiosity within the UFC 310 foremost occasion as a result of the result might decide whether or not or not a title shot awaits him in 2025.
Following an exciting win over Tatsuro Taira in a possible Battle of the 12 months contender, the 32-year-old flyweight jumped proper again to the highest of the title race with reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja set to defend his belt towards former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura on Saturday at UFC 310. As a result of he has two prior losses to Pantoja prior to now, Royval admits his life will get a complete lot simpler and the title image turns into far easier if Asakura can pull off the upset in his octagon debut.
“For me, we want a shakeup within the division. I would like a shakeup personally,” Royval advised MMA Preventing. “No one wants a shakeup greater than me being the No. 1 contender so it’s like if [Kai Asakura] goes on the market and beats Pantoja, excellent, then I get the subsequent title shot. Little question in my thoughts.
“Pantoja wins, are they going to convey someone else in? Who am I going to struggle subsequent? What occurs subsequent? For my part, if he goes on the market and dominates Pantoja and is ready get the win, I get the subsequent title shot. I felt the identical method with Steve Erceg. No one was rooting more durable for Steve Erceg than me in that enviornment.”
To be completely clear, Royval isn’t essentially praying for Pantoja’s downfall as a result of he truly has a ton of respect for the Brazilian after spending over half-hour within the cage collectively.
However these two losses, which incorporates falling to Pantoja in a five-round resolution in December 2023, makes it that a lot more durable for Royval to get again to a different shot at UFC gold.
“I like Pantoja loads,” Royval stated. “He’s most likely one of many higher human beings within the UFC. However I’m rooting for him to take the ‘L’ and if he doesn’t, I don’t suppose folks put respect on Pantoja’s identify. Pantoja’s wonderful.
“Pantoja hits more durable than anybody in that division and he’s most likely one of many strongest within the division, to not point out he has wonderful jiu-jitsu method and simply an iron will to win. A will to win, an iron jaw, Pantoja is without doubt one of the most slept on fighters within the UFC.”
That stated, Royval is aware of there’s a transparent path to victory for Asakura on this struggle due to his blistering energy on the ft with the power to knock out anyone — together with Pantoja.
After he went to conflict with Pantoja on two completely different events, Royval truly believes Asakura has a weapon in his arsenal that would actually profit him at UFC 310. It’s a part of Royval’s arsenal that he truly regrets not utilizing in his two fights towards Pantoja.
“I’ve hit Pantoja clear with like 4 knees to the face and that motherf*cker ate and simply saved coming,” Royval stated. “Straight Terminator fashion. I by no means even considered hitting him within the physique. I believe there’s a few cool issues that [Asakura] presents and I believe a physique shot is perhaps the best way to complete Pantoja. I additionally simply suppose that struggle’s going to be one-sided, come what may.
“If Pantoja will get him to the bottom, I believe it’s going to be a nightmare. I don’t suppose Kai Asakura has ever felt what Pantoja will convey and the abilities that he brings and vice versa. If that struggle stays standing, Pantoja’s in deep shit.”
Whereas Asakura profitable is the surest method again to a title shot, Royval doesn’t imagine for a second that Pantoja would keep away from a 3rd struggle towards him however he can’t say if the UFC is curious about that matchup.
That’s why Asakura changing into champion simply simplifies issues however Royval is aware of if the selection was as much as him, Pantoja would virtually actually settle for the problem to face him once more.
“I’m assured he’ll struggle anyone,” Royval stated. “I believe Pantoja’s positively not the sort of man to duck or fade. I believe profession clever, he’s making an attempt to decide on one of the best path for him and possibly that’s going as much as [135 pounds]. I do know he’s talked about that. However I don’t suppose he’s ducking any fights, any time quickly.”
