Brandon Royval acknowledged earlier than UFC 310 ever occurred that Alexandre Pantoja retaining his title would make his path to a different shot on the belt that rather more troublesome.
Regardless of his standing within the division with wins over three out of the 4 fighters at the moment occupying spots behind him within the UFC’s rankings, the 32-year-old flyweight additionally has two previous losses to Pantoja. However incomes a 3rd battle shouldn’t be inconceivable, particularly contemplating Royval already took out former champion Brandon Moreno and beforehand undefeated Tatsuro Taira in his previous two outings since falling to Pantoja in a title battle again in 2023.
The truth is, Royval received the possibility to talk to Pantoja as he exited the cage following a win over Kai Asakura and he says the Brazilian acknowledged him because the rightful challenger subsequent in line.
“They let me go up and speak to him proper after the battle,” Royval revealed when talking to MMA Combating. “That’s what they didn’t present on digital camera. Me and him had been speaking as quickly as he went out of the cage, they let me go up there and do this. That’s what he mentioned — ‘you’re subsequent, you deserve the title shot subsequent.’ That’s what he mentioned and that’s the reality.
“I deserve the title shot subsequent. Plain and easy. Will they offer it to me? Who the f*ck is aware of however he is aware of. He is aware of what’s up. Pantoja is a very good man. I’ve numerous respect … additionally numerous envy proper now however numerous respect for that man.”
The post-fight dialog didn’t get proven on the published and the dialog about who’s subsequent for Pantoja nearly instantly shifted to Kai Kara-France and former champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who issued a problem to the champion following the occasion.
Whereas Royval understands why he’s not the title all people is mentioning proper now as a result of his historical past with Pantoja, he doesn’t actually see Kara-France or Figueiredo as viable contenders who even have an opportunity to dethrone the reigning champion.
“For my part, Alexandre Pantoja canine walks [Kai Kara-France],” Royval mentioned. “I simply don’t suppose Deiveson Figueiredo regarded that spectacular in any of his final flyweight fights. I believe that lower appeared detrimental to him and his final battle in opposition to Moreno, I assumed he regarded not good in any respect. Whereas at 135, he appears to be like superb.”
Simply so as to add slightly additional gasoline to the hearth, Royval additionally holds a submission win over Kara-France in order that’s one other accolade he can rack as much as his championship resume.
That mentioned, Royval understands that he’s most likely not going to be the favored choose to face Pantoja subsequent just because he’s fought and misplaced in opposition to him twice already. The truth that Pantoja acknowledged him because the rightful contender is a superb nod in his favor however Royval can’t say for sure if that’s going to sway the UFC matchmakers or not.
“If we’re going purely off benefit, I’m the following title challenger,” Royval mentioned. “Given the circumstances, I don’t know in the event that they’re going to go together with me after which Kai Kara-France comes into query. However if you happen to’re speaking concerning the prime three of the division that’s not Alexandre Pantoja, it’s me, Brandon Moreno after which Kai Kara-France. Not solely did Kai Kara-France lose to Brandon Moreno and myself, however he additionally received completed by Brandon Moreno and myself. That’s not the circumstances and the case that we’re speaking about. If we’re going off benefit, I’d have gotten back-to-back title photographs however we’re not going off benefit.
“I’m the No. 1 contender. Anyone else that’s considerably in query, I’ve already beat. You’ll be able to say these names however I f*cking beat them already. What are you going to do with my sloppy seconds? I’m simply enjoying however that is only a bitter ready second for me. I hate ready. I hate not with the ability to make issues occur. I’m a management freak as it’s.
If he’s not getting the title shot, Royval guarantees he’s able to journey the Max Holloway route the place he’ll take out anyone and all people to get again to a different shot at gold similar to the previous featherweight champion did to earn a 3rd battle in opposition to Alexander Volkanovski after falling to him twice up to now.
“Whoever the UFC provides me or throws in entrance of me that claims ‘this can get me to the title,’ I’m going for it,” Royval mentioned. “I’m taking all people out. If that’s the way in which it’s received to be, then so be it. I’ll clear the division earlier than I’m a champion.”
As a lot as Royval needs the title shot, he’s not against new challenges if these come accessible so he’s maintaining a tally of previous champions all of the sudden fascinated with returning to flyweight.
“Now we’ve received that with 135’ers mentioning [flyweights],” Royval mentioned. “You see that with ‘Triple C’ [Henry Cejudo] and also you see that with Figueiredo and that’s the place I wish to enter myself. If we’re going to have 135’ers dropping down comparable to Henry Cejudo and Figgy drop down, that’s the place I’d wish to insert myself.
“I believe Figueiredo, if he appears to be like any sort of method that he regarded like within the flyweight division, he’s going to have a f*cking horrible evening in opposition to me. However he’s been wanting like a world beater at 135 and at 135, he’s performed nice. If he comes right down to 125 and he appears to be like the way in which that he regarded like in his battle, I’m going to f*cking have a spotlight reel on him.”
