Brandon Royval, whose career was nearly derailed because of a shoulder injury against Brandon Moreno at UFC 255, put on a valiant effort at UFC 296. He took on the reigning flyweight champ, Alexandre Pantoja, in the co-main event of the event. But, this was not a fresh match-up, as the two once fought previously in 2021, where Pantoja won via submission.
#AndSTILL the 125-lb king! @PantojaMMA defends his throne at #UFC296 đź‘Ź
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
[ B2YB @cryptocom ] pic.twitter.com/CEfVgTxvP1
While the Brazilian fighter was unable to finish the bout this time around, he won the fight via a unanimous decision. After 25 minutes of an amazing display by both fighters, the three judges scored it 49-46, 50-45, and 50-45. While the 49-46 scorecard from Judge Eric Colon was palatable, the 50-45 scorecards from Junichiro Kamijo and Ron McCarthy seem somewhat questionable. Were they right? Let’s find out.
Was Brandon Royval robbed against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296?
Brandon Royval lost the first fight against Alexandre Pantoja via submission, and it showed the difference in grappling levels between the two. While many thought the bout would go differently, Pantoja still had the better grappling nearly 2 years later as well. In round 1, the current champion landed 27 significant strikes, and the challenger only landed 13 significant strikes.
Not just that, Pantoja also dominated the bout on the ground, as he secured 1 takedown and had a ground control time of 2:50 minutes. The same pattern continued in round 2 too, as Pantoja had a control time of 3:44 minutes with 2 takedowns. But Royval landed more significant strikes with 12, while the champ landed only 10 strikes. In round 3, the 33-year-old had 2 takedowns and 2:13 minutes of ground control.
Our co-main is headed to championship rounds!
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Who’s winning on your scorecards? đź“ť #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/8BSbbL6y4m
But, Royval once again outstruck the champ with 24 significant strikes as opposed to 17 from Alexandre. Round 4 was a bizarre one as Pantoja had 4:21 minutes of ground control with 1 takedown and 0 significant strikes. However, it was Royval who rocked Pantoja and ended the penultimate round with 7 significant strikes. Round 5 was perhaps the most exciting one of the entire fight.
In the last round, Pantoja landed 41 significant strikes with 2 takedowns and 2:43 minutes of ground control. However, Royval landed 55 significant strikes in the last round, where he looked dangerous, and it seemed like Brandon was just a few strikes away from putting down a tired Pantoja. But the champ showed his mettle and managed to finish the fight with his head held high.
25 minutes in the books!
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Pantoja and Royval go the distance as we head to the judges’ scorecards #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/EohKPQ7jX8
To sum it up, Royval managed 111 significant strikes, 281 total strikes, and only 47 seconds of ground control. On the other hand, the champ had 15:51 minutes of ground control, 126 total strikes, and 95 significant strikes. If it was a striking battle, then “Raw Dog” was the clear winner, judging by the stats. But it is MMA, and Pantoja’s superior ground skills clearly give him the edge, and he is the rightful winner on paper.
Who do you think won the fight? Let us know in the comments below.
