‘Modern classic’: Pros react and rave about incredible Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira UFC Vegas 98 battle
Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Royval | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira showed the MMA world how it’s done.
In one of the best fights of 2024, the flyweight contenders showed off every aspect of their games with back-and-forth striking exchanges and thrilling scrambles on the ground, with Royval eventually leaving the UFC Vegas 98 main event with a split decision win.
Royval entered the bout ranked as the UFC’s No. 1 contender at 125 pounds and Taira brought a shiny 16-0 record into the cage, so a competitive contest was expected, but both men surpassed expectations. In his post-fight interview, Royval praised Taira as a future champion, while stating his own case to be booked for another important fight soon.
Some of MMA’s best and brightest were locked in Saturday’s headliner and they showered praise upon Royval and Taira, who should be a lock for a Fight of the Night bonus.
Check out the best reactions from social media below.
Modern classic. Those boys were putting on a show.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) October 13, 2024
One of the best fights of the year respect to both of em #ufcvegas
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 13, 2024
These guys delivered!
very good fight#ufcvegas98
— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) October 13, 2024
Royval wins 3-2. Great fight. Taira has a bright future but tonight belongs to Brandon Royval #UFCVegas98
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 13, 2024
Came down to the last round, royval dug deep. Sick fight
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) October 13, 2024
Wow what a fight! And a great win for @brandonroyval #UFCVEGAS98
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 13, 2024
That was an awesome fight! I got to give it 3-2 to @brandonroyval! #ufcvegas98
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) October 13, 2024
Instant classic Royal vs Taira #ufcfightnight
— Mike Malott (@Michael_Malott) October 13, 2024
Royval heart, hands and conditioning gets it done! Fun fight!
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 13, 2024
New mythical fighter unlocked: Round 5 Royval. #UFCVegas98
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) October 13, 2024
