Expert prediction
UFC Vegas 98: Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira Prediction, Odds, and Picks (October 12)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira is the main event of UFC Vegas 98.
- Royval is a former UFC Flyweight title challenger who’s No. 1 in this division.
- Tatsuro Taira is 16-0 overall with six wins since joining the UFC.
Our Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira prediction is that the UFC Vegas 88 headliner bout is going to be a real thriller. It’s got to be as this fight is probably going to determine the next title challenger.
Royval is sitting top of the UFC Flyweight Rankings, while Taira is the only Top 15 flyweight in the UFC who’s got a 100% win rate. Obviously, the winner of Royval vs. Taira fight at UFC Apex would be more than deserving of a title shot.
So, who will it be?
Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | +180 |
| Tatsuro Taira | -210 |
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN+
Fight Preview
Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira are both very well-rounded fighters, but they prefer different fighting styles. Royval is someone who always aims for a finish. He throws plenty of strikes at his opponents, as well as makes a lot of submission attempts. The result is that 13 of his 16 career wins happened inside the distance.
The downside of such a fighting style is that he gets hit a lot. So far, however, it hasn’t hurt him much, but it might against Taira, who’s a fantastic striker. The Japanese rising star is also very fast, which makes it difficult to hit him.
He likes landing a lot of takedowns, after which he usually goes for ground-and-pound. This will probably be his fight plan for the duel with Royval given that Raw Dog isn’t great when it comes to defending against takedowns – his TD defense is just 40%.
The problem with this approach is that taking down Royval brings along the risk of getting submitted. Considering that this guy has 9 wins by submission in his CV, such a scenario looks plausible.
Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira Prediction
Even though Taira’s odds suggest he’s going to win the UFC Vegas 98 main event, we think that this fight is basically a coin toss. Each fighter has weapons that can finish the other one, which is why we wouldn’t be surprised if Royval upset the odds.
Free Pick:
- Brandon Royval
MMA
More Predictions
UFC Vegas 123 Predictions: Moicano vs Nolan Picks, Odds and Best Bet
Best bet: Tom Nolan moneyline (-120) Bet UFC Vegas 123 at BetOnline Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan headline UFC Vegas 123 this Saturday in a lightweight matchup with plenty on the line. Moicano is fighting to stay relevant in the division, while Nolan is chasing a breakthrough win and a place in the rankings. You […]
UFC 332: Full Main Card Picks, Odds & Props (Oct 3)
It’s UFC 332 week at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. A vacant women’s flyweight title is on the line, along with several high-stakes main card matchups. Here is your full breakdown, plus expert UFC picks, odds, and prop bets for Saturday’s event. How to Watch UFC 332 Main Card Preview Main Event: Natalia […]
UFC: Silva vs. Delgado Preview, Odds, Picks (Sep 12)
Delgado steps into his first UFC main event on short notice following Yair Rodríguez’s injury withdrawal. He is a massive underdog against Jean Silva, though Silva prepared for a completely different rival. Here is are more MMA Odds. How to Watch Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado Odds Fighter Odds Silva -425 Delgado +325 Fight Preview […]
UFC Paris: Full Main Card Picks, Odds & Props
The UFC returns to the Accor Arena for its fifth annual trip to Paris. The card features 14 fights, but we are focusing on the main card, headlined by lightweight fireworks and top French talent. Here are the full betting breakdowns, UFC Paris odds, and top picks for the main card lineup. How to Watch […]
UFC Shanghai Predictions, Odds & Full Fight Card Picks
It’s UFC Shanghai on the menu, with several high-stakes matchups on the main card. We are here to deliver some top-notch UFC picks, with props and plenty of other valuable information. How to Watch UFC Shanghai Main Card Preview Main Event: Umar Nurmagomedov (20-1) vs. Song Yadong (23-9-1) Fighter Odds Nurmagomedov -530 Yadong +375 Co-Main […]