UFC Fight Night 244: Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira odds, picks and predictions

In a 5-round flyweight bout in the main event, Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 244 — also known as UFC Vegas 98 and UFC on ESPN+ 102 — at the UFC Apex. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC Night Night 244: Royval vs. Taira odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, and the main card begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Records: Royval (16-7-0) | Taira (16-0-0)

Royval got a crack at the championship at UFC 296, but he lost via unanimous decision to Alexandre Pantoja in mid-December. He bounced back with a split-decision win over Brandon Moreno, as he looks to position himself for another title chance. He has ended up going the distance in 2 straight, and 3 of the past 5 fights, while going 4-1 in the span.

If Royval wants to get back to a championship fight, he needs to take care of the rising prospect Taira, who has never lost in 16 career bouts, including 6 at the UFC level. Taira knocked out Alex Perez in the 2nd round in mid-June, and he has 4 finishes inside the distance in the past 5 outings.

Taira has a 2-inch reach advantage over Royval, while the southpaw has a 4.33-to-3.56 significant strikes landed per minute advantage over Taira. The Japanese fighter has a 2.35 takedown average, and a 2.09 submission average.

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UFC Fight Night 244: Royval vs. Taira odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

• Fight result (2-way line): Royval +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Taira -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
• Over/Under: 3.5 rounds (Over -140 | Under +105)
• Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +120 | No -165)

UFC Fight Night 244: Royval vs. Taira picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

ROYVAL (+240) is hungry to get back to a championship fight, and the quickest way for the veteran to do that is to get past an unbeaten Taira (-300).

This is going to be a good fight, as Taira has been a punching machine in his time with the company, and he has really developed a good clinch game.

However, Royval can get the job done in a number of ways, either with the knockout, or submission. He’ll be looking to work the legs of Taira, trying to wow the judges.

ROYVAL ON POINTS (+400) is worth a roll of the dice for the chance to multiply up by 4 times.

Over/Under (O/U)

YES (+120): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a strong play at plus-money.

Royval has ended up going the distance in 2 in a row, and 3 of the past 5 fights since Jan. 2022.

For Taira, while he has gone the distance just once in the past 5 fights, Royval has the tools to take him all the way, similar to the Edgar Chairez fight back at UFC 290.

If you’re not quite feeling a distance fight, OVER 3.5 ROUNDS (-140) is an alternative that isn’t too costly.

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