Brandon Royval has a vested curiosity within the UFC 310 fundamental occasion as a result of the result might decide whether or not or not a title shot awaits him in 2025.
Following an exhilarating win over Tatsuro Taira in a possible Combat of the Yr 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 simpler 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 person 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, good, then I get the subsequent title shot. Little doubt in my thoughts.
“Pantoja wins, are they going to carry someone else in? Who am I going to combat subsequent? What occurs subsequent? In my view, 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 manner with Steve Erceg. No person was rooting tougher for Steve Erceg than me in that area.”
To be completely clear, Royval isn’t essentially praying for Pantoja’s downfall as a result of he really 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 choice in December 2023, makes it that a lot tougher for Royval to get again to a different shot at UFC gold.
“I like Pantoja so much,” Royval stated. “He’s in all probability 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 assume individuals put respect on Pantoja’s title. Pantoja’s wonderful.
“Pantoja hits tougher than anybody in that division and he’s in all probability 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 likely 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 combat because of his blistering energy on the ft with the flexibility to knock out anyone — together with Pantoja.
After he went to struggle with Pantoja on two totally different events, Royval really 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 really 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 thought of hitting him within the physique. I feel there’s a few cool issues that [Asakura] presents and I feel a physique shot may be the way in which to complete Pantoja. I additionally simply assume that combat’s going to be one-sided, in some way.
“If Pantoja will get him to the bottom, I feel it’s going to be a nightmare. I don’t assume Kai Asakura has ever felt what Pantoja will carry and the abilities that he brings and vice versa. If that combat stays standing, Pantoja’s in deep shit.”
Whereas Asakura profitable is the surest manner again to a title shot, Royval doesn’t consider for a second that Pantoja would keep away from a 3rd combat towards him however he can’t say if the UFC is considering that matchup.
That’s why Asakura turning 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 combat anyone,” Royval stated. “I feel Pantoja’s positively not the type of man to duck or fade. I feel profession sensible, he’s attempting to decide on the perfect 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 assume he’s ducking any fights, any time quickly.”
