Fan reactions have been mostly positive (for a change).
Royval (16-7) is currently ranked No. 1 at 125 pounds, thanks largely in part to his split decision win over former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico City earlier this year in Mexico. As for the No. 5-ranked Taira (16-0), he remained perfect with a technical knockout victory over Alex Perez at UFC Vegas 93 back in June.
Expect the winner to be in serious discussions for the next flyweight title shot.
UFC Vegas 98 will also feature the lightweight showdown between Grant Dawson and Rafa Garcia. Elsewhere on the card, Niko Price and Themba Gorimbo collide at welterweight, not long after Chidi Njokuani and Jared Gooden hook ‘em up at 170 pounds.
Looks like a fun card
I don’t like this Royal chap. I hope he gets his leg broken
A late change has been made to Saturday’s UFC Vegas 98 card after heavyweight Chris Barnett was knocked out of his fight against Junior Tafa.
Barnett was removed from the card due to issues related to Hurricane Milton, and he won’t be able to compete. UFC officials confirmed the change on Wednesday.
With Barnett unable to fight, Tafa now faces UFC newcomer Sean Sharaf, who accepts the fight on short notice with his UFC debut now just a few days away. The news was originally reported by Code Sports on Tuesday.
Sharaf joins the UFC roster with a 4-0 record with all four wins coming by way of first round knockout.
Fremdt came 5 lbs over and his fight is off I hear 