The UFC stages UFC Vegas 98 from the UFC APEX on Oct. 12 with a pivotal flyweight match-up as the main event.
Former title challenger and No. 1 ranked flyweight Brandon Royval defended his position at the top of the division against No. 5 ranked Tatsuro Taira.
"I get that title shot next," Royval said after winning via a split decision.
"I thought I was going to be out of here in the first round," Royval said after praising his opponent and declaring Taira will be champion someday. "Humble lessons learned."
Royval is coming off a win over former champion Brandon Moreno in February and served Taira his first professional loss.