BRANDON ROYVAL, fittingly, proved the fly in the ointment to UFC's plans for the grand 125lb division.
Just hours before his clash with Tatsuro Taira at the Apex in Las Vegas, president Dana White announced former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura would walk straight into a flyweight title fight on debut against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310 on December 7.
It has been seven years since the company last staged a show in Japan, the birthplace of MMA, and in an ideal scenario, businesswise, Land of the Rising Sun stars Taira and Asakura would headline there for the flyweight crown.
This story is from the October 15, 2024 edition of Daily Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 15, 2024 edition of Daily Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DON'T PANIC
Pep backs Dads Army to beat slump
THAT'S A LOP BETTER.LADS
Under-fire Julen's boost as Toon are blown howay
NICE LITTLER EARNER
Luke jackpot vow as punters eye up £60k nine-darter
CON THE MEND
Hill could make Kempton
ROLEING WITH THE PUNCHES
Lone'er feels like film star
COLD SHOULDER FOR PETS SHAME
Chilling total of critters left to die a worry
RISE OF THE RICH & POSH ZOMBIES
Tech will cheat death if you can afford it
They'll be stinking in the valleys
WELSH FART MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE
Bot the builder
TECH KILLER DANGER ON WORK SITES
I TACKLED KEANE & HE KICKED OFF
Ipswich fan on bust-up
