After nearly four years, Brandon Royval finally had his moment of redemption, securing a hard-earned split decision victory over Brandon Moreno in the main event at UFC Mexico City.
Their initial encounter concluded with Moreno claiming a TKO victory due to an injury sustained by Royval. However, after a disappointing performance in a title fight earlier in January, Royval was determined to prove himself on Saturday night.
Drawing inspiration from his lifelong admiration for Nate and Nick Diaz, Royval executed a similar game plan, emphasizing high output, volume striking, and relentless pressure to keep Moreno guessing.
Despite conceding some early rounds, Royval relentlessly pressed forward, unleashing over 400 strikes over the course of the grueling five-round battle.
Ultimately, the judges scored the contest in Royval’s favor, with two of them awarding him 48-47 scores, while the third judge favored Moreno with a 49-46 score. Nonetheless, Royval emerged victorious, securing a much-desired outcome in his rematch against Moreno.
In a post-fight declaration reminiscent of the Diaz brothers’ brash style, Royval issued a bold challenge to UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, asserting his dominance in the division and demanding a rematch.
The main event showcased cautious tactics from both fighters, with Royval assuming the role of aggressor and Moreno adopting a counter-attacking approach.
Despite Royval’s effective jab and Moreno’s agile footwork, neither fighter managed to land significant power shots. Royval, hindered by a foot injury, limited his kicking arsenal but maintained relentless pressure on Moreno throughout the bout.
As the fight progressed, Moreno found success with a combination of powerful strikes, prompting increased aggression from Royval. The final round saw both fighters trading blows ferociously, with Royval’s consistent pressure preventing Moreno from mounting a decisive surge.
Although Royval’s accuracy wavered at times, his relentless offensive onslaught ensured Moreno had little opportunity to seize control of the fight, particularly in the later rounds. While it may not have culminated in the highlight-reel finish he desired, Royval’s victory reaffirmed his contention in the flyweight division.
The win repositions Royval as a contender for the flyweight title, although his previous losses to Pantoja cast uncertainty on his immediate championship prospects. Conversely, Moreno finds himself on a two-fight losing streak for the first time since 2017-18, signaling a challenging period ahead for the former champion.
