Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VS BRANDON ROYVAL FACTS
When is UFC 296? Saturday 16th December, 2023 - 23:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 296? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 296? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 296
What channel is UFC 296 on? TNT Sports Box Office (£19.99 – main card)
Where can I stream UFC 296? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VS BRANDON ROYVAL LOWDOWN
Alexandre Pantoja (26-5) is fresh off the biggest fight and rematch of his career. He took on the champion Brandon Moreno back in July at UFC 290 hoping to make it 2-0 after submitting him back in 2018. He was the underdog but earnt a valiant split decision to become the new flyweight king. That extended his win streak to four which includes his first encounter with the challenger where he picked up a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.
Brandon Royval (15-6) got submitted by the new champ in 2021 to suffer his second loss on the bounce. The first was a TKO dished out by Moreno (2020). However, he has since reeled off three exciting wins earning a split decision over Rogerio Bontorin (2022), submission over Matt Schnell (2022) and a beautiful knockout stopping the surging Matheus Nicolau back in April.
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VS BRANDON ROYVAL PREDICTION
This is destined to be a frenzy of aggression and skill which is likely to create a ‘Fight of the Night’ display. They both have exceptional jiu-jitsu and grappling with dangerous striking putting it all together seamlessly.
They can both be reckless which makes them exciting, but in a five-round title fight, one of them is going to have to execute a strategy. Pantoja has never been finished, so Royval cannot rely on his killer instinct and needs to prepare for five rounds which he has only seen once in his career.
Pantoja also has the same killer instinct, but he needs to fight more cerebrally. It is easy to lure him into a brawl and that is what Royval needs to do. The champ needs to fight smart and keep this a technical battle on the feet while mixing in the odd takedown.
As for Royval, he needs to make this a scrap by forcing Pantoja to throw bombs and create scrambles. What helps the Brazilian is that he is very durable, more technical on the ground and has the confidence of already beating Royval and becoming a champion.
Royval has also improved, and he has the perfect style to throw Pantoja off his game plan and force a mistake. Royval holds the value, but on paper, Pantoja is the smart play.
Prediction: Pantoja via Submission
Value bet: Royval to win
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VS BRANDON ROYVAL FACTS
When is UFC 296? Saturday 16th December, 2023 - 23:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 296? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 296? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 296
What channel is UFC 296 on? TNT Sports Box Office (£19.99 – main card)
Where can I stream UFC 296? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VS BRANDON ROYVAL LOWDOWN
Alexandre Pantoja (26-5) is fresh off the biggest fight and rematch of his career. He took on the champion Brandon Moreno back in July at UFC 290 hoping to make it 2-0 after submitting him back in 2018. He was the underdog but earnt a valiant split decision to become the new flyweight king. That extended his win streak to four which includes his first encounter with the challenger where he picked up a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.
Brandon Royval (15-6) got submitted by the new champ in 2021 to suffer his second loss on the bounce. The first was a TKO dished out by Moreno (2020). However, he has since reeled off three exciting wins earning a split decision over Rogerio Bontorin (2022), submission over Matt Schnell (2022) and a beautiful knockout stopping the surging Matheus Nicolau back in April.
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA VS BRANDON ROYVAL PREDICTION
This is destined to be a frenzy of aggression and skill which is likely to create a ‘Fight of the Night’ display. They both have exceptional jiu-jitsu and grappling with dangerous striking putting it all together seamlessly.
They can both be reckless which makes them exciting, but in a five-round title fight, one of them is going to have to execute a strategy. Pantoja has never been finished, so Royval cannot rely on his killer instinct and needs to prepare for five rounds which he has only seen once in his career.
Pantoja also has the same killer instinct, but he needs to fight more cerebrally. It is easy to lure him into a brawl and that is what Royval needs to do. The champ needs to fight smart and keep this a technical battle on the feet while mixing in the odd takedown.
As for Royval, he needs to make this a scrap by forcing Pantoja to throw bombs and create scrambles. What helps the Brazilian is that he is very durable, more technical on the ground and has the confidence of already beating Royval and becoming a champion.
Royval has also improved, and he has the perfect style to throw Pantoja off his game plan and force a mistake. Royval holds the value, but on paper, Pantoja is the smart play.
Prediction: Pantoja via Submission
Value bet: Royval to win