The UFC APEX is back hosting another Fight Night, bringing just as much action as last week's PPV event. The Main Event sees a Flyweight bout which could decide the next title challenger between the #1 contender, Brandon Royval, and the #5 contender, Tatsuro Taira. Here is everything you need to know before UFC Vegas 98 commences.
Flyweight Fireworks 💥
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 9, 2024
Brandon Royval vs Tatsuro Taira this Saturday! pic.twitter.com/nXu7Ii3sMj
Brandon Royval last fought in February when he earned a split decision win over Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico City, allowing him to rise to the top of the Flyweight rankings.
Before his title loss to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296, Raw Dawg was on a three-fight winning streak where he would claim; a split decision victory over Rogerio Bonorin, a first-round submission win against Matt Schnell, and a first-round knockout win over Matheus Nicolau.
The Denver-born fighter rarely takes his conquered opponents to a decision, earning four KO/TKO and nine submissions victories out of 16 MMA triumphs.
Royval is still searching for vengeance against Pantoja, losing to him twice in the UFC, as a big win at the APEX will give him one last shot for revenge as well as one last opportunity to win a UFC title.
Tatsuro Taira remained undefeated after earning a second-round TKO win in June at UFC Vegas 93, already giving him the possibly opportunity to fight for a UFC Championship in just six fights with the promotion.
With the opponents that the Japanese Flyweight has faced in the division, only one of his opponents currently stands in the rankings as he has not fought many contenders.
The Naha-born mixed martial artist is a danger on the feet and on the ground with five of his 16 MMA victories ending by KO/TKO and seven of those ending by submission.
Taira has continued to climb up the Flyweight rankings and will try to earn the biggest win of his career as he remains one step away from facing the king of the division.
other fights you should look out for
Chidi Njokuani vs Jared Gooden - Njokuani redeemed a three-fight losing streak in his last bout after defeating Rhys Mckee by split decision at UFC Atlantic City. Bang Bang prefers to finish a fight by knockout with 14 of his 23 MMA victories ending by KO/TKO. The Texan will aim to stay on track and remain in the win column.
Gooden earned his second win in the UFC in his last fight, submitting Wellington Turman in the second round at UFC Austin. The Nite Train cane be both a knockout or submission threat, finishing 11 of his conquered opponents by KO/TKO and seven of those by submission. With only two triumphs in six UFC fights, Gooden will try to increase his win ratio with the organisation.
Daniel Rodriguez vs Alex Morono - Rodriguez last fought at UFC Saudi Arabia where he would come up short against Kelvin Gastelum, losing by unanimous decision. The majority of D-Rod's wins in the UFC have ended with a decision, but he has been known to finish his opponents, stopping eigh of his 17 beaten opponents by KO/TKO. Currently on a three-fight losing streak, the Californian will be searching for redemption at the APEX.
Morono has fought twice this year, securing an unanimous decision win over Court McGee at UFC Vegas 90 and suffering an unanimous decision loss to Niko Price at UFC 302. Just like his opponent, The Great White commonly earns a decision win in the UFC, but occasionally stops his opponents. It will be a battle for redemption as Morono will try overcome his most recent loss.
Jonathan Pearce vs Pat Sabatini - Pearce last fought at UFC Vegas 91 where he would suffer a loss ton David Onama by unanimous decision. JSP has stopped most of his 14 conquered opponents, knocking nine of them out as well as submitting two of them. The Johnson City-born mixed martial artist is currently on a two-fight losing streak, so Pearce will aim to get back to winning ways.
Sabatini was very unfortunate in his last fight after losing by first-round knockout to Diego Lopes at UFC 295. The Pennsylvania fighter is a big submission threat in the promotion, stopping 11 of his 18 opponents by submission. With only one victory in his last three fights, Sabatini will be desperate for a win and still try to impress fans after his previous performance.
Who will win between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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