Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Recent flyweight championship challenger Brandon Royval faces off against Japan’s unbeaten contender, Tatsuro Taira, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 244 as the promotion returns to the Apex this weekend. The main event pairing is a top-five clash that sees Brandon Royval continue his rehabilitation after failing to claim the championship last year. His opponent, Tatsuro Taira, is the first person born in the 2000s to headline a UFC event, and the Japanese youngster, though unblemished in his pro record, will face his biggest challenge in MMA. The more experienced Brandon Royval is the betting underdog ahead of the clash.

MMA: UFC Flyweight

Where to Watch: ESPN+

Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada

Date: 13.10.2024 04:30

The Colorado-born American came up short in his bid for the UFC flyweight championship last December when he lost to Alexander Pantoja at UFC 296. The loss snapped Brandon Royval’s three-fight winning streak, including a Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night in the run. 32-year-old Royval, a former Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion, has the record for the most significant strikes attempted in a UFC bout. Brandon Royval, a black belt in BJJ, debuted in the UFC in 2020, and his resume includes victories over Brandon Moreno, Tim Elliot, and Matheus Nicolau. Following the loss to Pantoja, “Raw Dawg” returned to the win column with a decision over Brandon Moreno last February.

I know I can win that fight; I know I can beat [Pantoja]. I’m the most dangerous fighter in this division, and I want to always show that [...] I can be the champion of this division.

Brandon Royval

• Age: 32
• Height: 5’9”
• Reach: 68”
• Weight: 125lbs (57kg)
• Record: 16-7

The former Shooto Flyweight champion joined the UFC in early 2022 on a record of 10-0 in Japan. Tatsuro Taira followed that up with six consecutive wins in the UFC and has climbed to number five in the flyweight rankings. Back in June, Taira, born in 2000, became the first person born in this millennium to headline a UFC card when he faced off against former flyweight challenger Alex Perez. The 24-year-old won a TKO (knee injury) due to Perez’s knee second-round injury.

I want to show my technique, skills, everything I have – I always look to do all of it. My target is Pantoja.

Tatsuro Taira

• Age: 24
• Height: 5’7’’
• Reach: 70”
• Weight: 125lbs (57kg)
• Record: 16-0

Brandon Royval is a 2.75 underdog on Betway. On Betway, the American underdog is priced at 2.80 odds. 1XBET lists under 2.5 at 2.36 and No to the fight going the distance at 2.64 odds. Read more here.