The tables were turned by Brandon Royval who earned a win in Euphoric Fashion by submitting Brandon Moreno in Rounds 4 and 5 at UFC 256. The first fight was a real chess match, with every strategic move being measured, the rematch saw Royval go all out with a dizzying high-octane offensive which overwhelmed Moreno, and ended with a fourth-round TKO win.
Tactical Shift
Royval’s plan towards the fight was clearly demonstrated from the first bell. As Moreno was gasping for breath, he carried on smashing his way with an arsenal of punches and kicks, never giving the Spaniard a chance to inhale some fresh air. Fight stats paint a clear picture: Royval stepped up on his knockout attempt with his third-fight and was completely optimized for that purpose.
Expert Weigh In
"Jeez, I wouldn't have thought of that in 100 years," as MMA analyst Joe Rogan stated "Moreno was first on the attack but then took some of that forward momentum away. This time there was no chance of that with Conrrado forcing Moreno onto the back foot, dictating the pace, and never giving him a chance to settle in."
Royval's Perspective
"We were certain that there were changes needed," Royval emphasized after the fight. "That was why we went for the early knock out. And we played to our strengths. It was working towards that very end. Moreno was the counter striker. Hence the plan. We didn't fool around. It was to overwhelm him not to allow him find room to play".
Moreno's Frustration
Noticeably rattled, Moreno had a hard time controlling the game in his usual manner. "I didn't have them at my fingertips," Moreno said. "The guy was too quick and I felt that I had too much pressure. Now I have to go back to the drawing board."
The Bigger Picture
This win assures Royval as a real contender in the flyweight division, a change of fortunes after the previous loss was served on his plate. While Moreno continues to march on having won the previous couple of matches, he suffers a massive upset that could hamper his title wins.
Closing
Wedgeworth shows that it is not always the best to play defensively, as calculated aggression can be much better during a frustrating defeat. Fans are Crunching already for possible rematches, where Royval would compete with other top contenders, thus demonstrating his increased position.