Brandon Royval News

BJ Penn Staff - June 9, 2025

Joshua Van has the opportunity to completely upend the UFC flyweight rankings in a few weeks time. Myanmar’s Van is one of the division’s most promising young contenders. He took another big step up the ladder at UFC 316 this past weekend, when he stunned fans with a blistering knockout of Bruno Silva. That win him brought him to 14-2 overall, and 7-1 in the UFC.

BJ Penn Staff - April 7, 2025

There’s a risk of concussion in a lot of sports. That includes MMA. Top UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval can attest to that. Royval, who is currently ranked No. 1 in his division, was set to fight the No. 6-ranked Manel Kape in an apparent title eliminator on March 1. However, that fight fell through at the last minute.

Cole Shelton - February 10, 2025

Brandon Royval has opened up on why he had to withdraw from his March 1 fight against Manel Kape. Royval and Kape were set to headline the Fight Night card in a potential No. 1 contender fight at flyweight. However, Royval was forced out of the bout due to an undisclosed injury.

Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2025

UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval has pulled out of his March return against Manel Kape. ‘Raw Dawg’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since an October clash with Tatsuro Taira. The Japanese contender entered the cage a staggering 16-0, while Brandon Royval was fresh off a win over former champion Brandon Moreno in February. In the main event of UFC Vegas 98, the former title challenger earned a split-decision win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024

One highly-rated UFC title contender is backing Nate Diaz in the bottle-throwing incident involving Islam Makhachev’s team. Diaz and Makhachev were in attendance for the UFC 310 event earlier this month. The Stockton native was supporting Kron Gracie for his fight against Bryce Mitchell. At some point, things escalated between Diaz and Makhachev’s team. Video surfaced of Diaz hurling a water bottle backstage.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2024

Brandon Royval would welcome Henry Cejudo back to flyweight if “Triple C” makes the cut back down. Back in the summer, Cejudo said he’s considering a return to the 125-pound division. He once captured gold in the weight class before moving up to bantamweight to earn a title there.

Curtis Calhoun - October 16, 2024

Former UFC flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval believes newcomer Kai Asakura’s title shot is a breath of fresh air for the division. Asakura will face UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in the UFC 310 co-main event in December. After a decorated tenure in RIZIN, Asakura will make his UFC debut on the highest possible stage in the flyweight division.

Cole Shelton - October 15, 2024

The UFC returned to the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday for UFC Vegas 98 in a battle of top-ranked flyweights between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira. In the main event, top-ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval took on Tatsuro Taira. Roval entered the bout coming off a decision win over Brandon Moreno while Taira beat Alex Perez by TKO due to an injury as he was 6-0 in the UFC.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 13, 2024

Brandon Royval feels it’s time that he gets another crack at UFC gold. Royval shared the Octagon with Tatsuro Taira in the main event of UFC Vegas 98.  The pivotal flyweight matchup went the distance. Two of the three judges scored the fight for Royval, awarding him the split decision victory.

Chris Taylor - October 12, 2024

The Octagon returned to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 98 event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira. The highly anticipated men’s flyweight headliner proved to be an absolutely thrilling back and forth affair. Brandon Royval got off to a dominant start in the opening five minutes fight, but Tatsuro Taira stormed back to smother ‘Raw Dawg’ for the duration of Round 2. The fighters seemingly traded rounds three and four, and thus the fifth and final round would decide a winner. Royval appeared to have more in the gas tank in the final five minutes, and nearly finished the fight with a late rear-naked choke attempt. However, Taira survived, and we went to the judges where Royval was awarded the split decision victory.

Chris Taylor - October 12, 2024

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 98 event was headlined by a key men’s flyweight matchup featuring Brandon Royval taking on Tatsuro Taira. Royval (17-7 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a split decision victory over former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno this past February at UFC Mexico City. ‘Rawdog’ had gone 4-1 over his previous five Octagon appearances, with his lone loss in that time coming against reigning flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja.

Chris Taylor - October 12, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Vegas 98 results, including the men’s flyweight main event between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira. Royval (16-7 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a split decision victory over former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno this past February at UFC Mexico City. ‘Rawdog’ has gone 4-1 over his past five Octagon appearances, with his lone loss in that time coming against reigning flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja.

Cole Shelton - March 1, 2024

Brandon Royval says he will be prepared to fight Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 301 in Brazil in May. Royval picked up the biggest win of his career last weekend as he beat Brandon Moreno by split decision in the main event of UFC Mexico City in a fight he took on short notice. With the win, ‘Raw Dawg’ called for a trilogy with Pantoja in May as he was ready to make a quick turnaround.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2024

In the main event of UFC Mexico City, top three flyweights threw down as Brandon Moreno took on Brandon Royval in a rematch from their 2020 fight. Moreno entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Alexandre Pantoja in July to lose his flyweight title. Royval, meanwhile, also lost to Pantoja by decision back in December for the flyweight title.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2024

Brandon Royval had to fight through a serious injury during his UFC Mexico City main event fight against Brandon Moreno. Royval stepped up on short notice to rematch Moreno, in a fight he was a sizeable underdog in. In the first minute of the fight, ‘Raw Dawg’ appeared to injure his knee, as he even mentioned it after the first round to his corner.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2024

Brandon Royval played spoiler at UFC Mexico City, and it’s a role that he can get used to. Royval had a rematch with former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico City last night. The 125-pound scrap went all five rounds and Royval was awarded the split decision victory. Now that Royval got some revenge in enemy territory, he doesn’t feel he’s done ruining homecomings.

Chris Taylor - February 24, 2024

The Octagon heads south of the border for tonight’s UFC Mexico City event, a 13-bout fight card headlined by Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval. Moreno (21-7-2 MMA) will be competing for the first time since losing the promotion’s flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja this past July at UFC 290. Prior to that setback, ‘The Assassin Baby’ was coming off back-to-back TKO victories over Kai Kara-France and Deiveson Figueiredo.

Susan Cox - February 23, 2024

UFC Mexico City takes place tomorrow, Saturday February 24th at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The flyweight main event will see former champion Brandon Moreno (21-7 MMA) face rival Brandon Royval (15-7 MMA).