Brandon Royval

Last updated
Brandon Royval
BornBrandon Matthew Royval
(1992-08-16) August 16, 1992 (age 32)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Other namesRaw Dawg
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division Flyweight
Reach68 in (173 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Englewood, Colorado, U.S.
TeamFactory X (until 2024) [2] [3]
TrainerClay Matza (main coach, 2020–present) [3]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [2] under Mario "Busy" Correa [4]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins17
By knockout5
By submission8
By decision4
Losses7
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Brandon Matthew Royval [5] (born August 16, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2012, Royval has also formerly competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he is a former Legacy Fighting Alliance Flyweight Champion. As of February 27, 2024, he is #1 in the UFC flyweight rankings. [6]

Contents

Background

Born and raised in Denver, Brandon was already training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai at the age of 15. [7] Royval has an older brother, Darian. [7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Royval took his first amateur bout at the age of 18, racking up a 5–0 record. [7] Starting his professional career in 2012, Royval compiled an 8–3 record fighting mostly for Legacy Fighting Alliance, eventually culminating in a shot for the interim LFA Flyweight Championship against Casey Kenney, which he lost by unanimous decision. [8]

Brandon Royval next faced UFC vet, Joby Sanchez at LFA 65 on May 3, 2019, winning the bout via submission due to an armbar in the first round. [9]

Royval was going to face Jared Scoggins for the vacant LFA flyweight title on November 22, 2019 until Scoggins pulled out of the fight. Nate Williams stepped up as a replacement and Royval won the LFA Flyweight title via first round armbar. [10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Brandon made his UFC debut on May 30, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns against Tim Elliott. [11] He won the fight via submission in the second round. [12] This fight earned Royval a Fight of the Night award. [13]

Royval faced Kai Kara-France on September 27, 2020 at UFC 253. [14] After both fighters being knocked down in the first round, Royval won the fight via submission in the second round. [15] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [16]

Royval was a replacement for Alex Perez against Brandon Moreno on November 21, 2020 at UFC 255. [17] He lost the fight via technical knockout on round one. [18]

Royval faced Alexandre Pantoja on August 21, 2021 UFC on ESPN 29. [19] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round two. [20]

Rise to title contention

Royval faced Rogério Bontorin on January 15, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 32. [21] He won the fight via split decision. [22]

Royval faced Matt Schnell on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274. [23] He won the back-and-forth fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round. [24] The fight also won both men the Fight of the Night bonus award. [25]

Royval was scheduled to face Askar Askarov on October 15, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 212. [26] However the bout was cancelled the day before the event due to weight management issues. [27]

Royval was set to face Amir Albazi at UFC Fight Night 216 on December 17, 2022. [28] However, Royval pulled out of the bout in late November due to a broken wrist. [29]

Royval faced Matheus Nicolau on April 15, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 44. [30] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. [31] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [32]

Royval had a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight Championship title on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296. [33] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [34]

Post title shot

Royval faced former UFC Flyweight Champion and former LFA Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno in a rematch, replacing Amir Albazi, at UFC Fight Night 237 on February 24, 2024. [35] He won the fight via split decision. [36] 13 out of 18 media outlets scored the bout for Royval. [37]

As the last bout of his prevailing contract, Royval faced former Shooto Flyweight Champion Tatsuro Taira on October 12, 2024 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 244. [38] [3] He won the fight by split decision. [39] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award. [40]

Personal life

Royval grew up in a Mexican family. [41] After his win against Kai Kara-France, Royval left his full-time job in the juvenile justice system. [10] He also worked as the jiu-jitsu instructor at Factory X. [42] [3]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
24 matches17 wins7 losses
By knockout41
By submission91
By decision45
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win17–7 Tatsuro Taira Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira October 14, 202455:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win16–7 Brandon Moreno Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 February 24, 202455:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Loss15–7 Alexandre Pantoja Decision (unanimous) UFC 296 December 16, 202355:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFor the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win15–6 Matheus Nicolau KO (knee and elbows) UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen April 15, 202312:09 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win14–6 Matt Schnell Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 274 May 7, 202212:14 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win13–6 Rogério Bontorin Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze January 15, 202235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss12–6 Alexandre Pantoja Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum August 21, 202121:46 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss12–5 Brandon Moreno TKO (punches) UFC 255 November 21, 202014:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–4 Kai Kara-France Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 253 September 27, 202020:48 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesFight of the Night.
Win11–4 Tim Elliott Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns May 30, 202023:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win10–4Nate WilliamsSubmission (armbar) LFA 79 November 22, 201910:23 Broomfield, Colorado, United StatesWon the vacant LFA Flyweight Championship.
Win9–4 Joby Sanchez Submission (armbar) LFA 65 May 3, 201913:17 Vail, Colorado, United States
Loss8–4 Casey Kenney Decision (unanimous) LFA 53 November 9, 201855:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesFor the interim LFA Flyweight Championship.
Win8–3Charles JohnsonDecision (unanimous) LFA 48 September 7, 201835:00 Kearney, Nebraska, United States
Win7–3 Jerome Rivera TKO (arm injury) LFA 39 May 4, 201810:40 Vail, Colorado, United States
Win6–3Demetrius WilsonSubmission (triangle choke) LFA 22 September 8, 201722:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss5–3Nick UrsoDecision (split) LFA 10 April 21, 201735:00 Pueblo, Colorado, United States
Win5–2Rakan AdwanSubmission (armbar) LFA 5 February 24, 201711:54 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win4–2Angel TorresSubmission (triangle choke)Sparta Combat League 53October 15, 201610:34 Denver, Colorado, United StatesFlyweight debut.
Loss3–2Ricky PalaciosDecision (unanimous)Combate Americas: Road to the Championship 5May 26, 201635:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win3–1Danny MainusKO (knee) WSOF 29 March 12, 201612:48 Greeley, Colorado, United States
Win2–1Joey WelchTKO (punches)Sparta Combat League: Mile High MayhemAugust 23, 201410:51 Denver, Colorado, United States
Loss1–1Ben VomBaurDecision (unanimous)Kick Down MMA 104: BOOMOctober 19, 201235:00 Denver, Colorado, United StatesBantamweight debut.
Win1–0Sammy RindTKO (elbows)Kick Down MMA 102: RebelsAugust 17, 201211:45 Denver, Colorado, United StatesCatchweight (140 lb) bout.

[45]

See also

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References

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  4. ↑ Jim Norton; Matt Serra (May 3, 2022). "Randy Brown, Brandon Royval, and UFC Fight Night: Font vs Vera recap" (Podcast).
  5. ↑ "Brandon Royval - The MMA Raw Dawg". Elite Sports. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  6. ↑ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  7. 1 2 3 Jake Howard (14 October 2016). "Brandon "Raw Dog" Royval makes flyweight". mymetmedia.com.
  8. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (2019-03-28). "Welcome to the UFC: Casey Kenney". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  9. ↑ John Morgan (May 3, 2019). "LFA 65 results: Brandon Royval taps out UFC vet Joby Sanchez". mmajunkie.com.
  10. 1 2 3 Thomas Gerbasi (2020-11-19). "Brandon Royval Knows He Belongs". UFC.com.
  11. ↑ Farah Hannoun (2020-05-21). "UFC adds Tim Elliott vs. Brandon Royval to May 30 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  12. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (2020-05-30). "UFC Vegas Results: Brandon Royval Submits Tim Elliott in Octagon Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  13. 1 2 Haynes, Stephie (2020-05-31). "UFC Las Vegas bonuses: Dern's record-setting kneebar wins POTN". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  14. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2020-07-27). "UFC Flyweightclash tussen Kai Kara-France en Brandon Royval op 26 september" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  15. ↑ Fuentes, Jon (2020-09-26). "UFC 253 Results: Brandon Royval Makes Kai Kara-France Tap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  16. 1 2 Alexander K. Lee (2020-09-27). "UFC 253 bonuses: Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz cash in with championship performances". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  17. ↑ Mike Bohn (2020-10-02). "Brandon Royval replaces Alex Perez, meets Brandon Moreno at UFC 255". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  18. ↑ Evanoff, Josh (2020-11-21). "UFC 255 Results: Brandon Moreno Finishes Injured Brandon Royval". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  19. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2021-05-11). "Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 21 augustus". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  20. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2021-08-21). "UFC Vegas 34 Results: Alexandre Pantoja Subs Game Brandon Royval". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  21. ↑ Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck (2021-10-01). "Rogerio Bontorin returns vs. Brandon Royval at Jan. 15 UFC event". MMAFighting. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  22. ↑ Gibbons, Justin (2022-01-15). "UFC Vegas 46: Brandon Royval Grinds Out Split Decision Against Bontorin". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  23. ↑ Martin, Damon (2022-02-24). "Brandon Royval vs. Matt Schnell added to UFC 274". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  24. ↑ Behunin, Alex (2022-05-07). "UFC 274: Brandon Royval Taps Matt Schnell In A Wild Two Minute Scrap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  25. 1 2 Anderson, Jay (2022-05-08). "UFC 274: Chandler, Fialho Earn Performance of the Night Bonuses". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  26. ↑ Jay Anderson (2022-08-03). "UFC: Brandon Royval vs. Askar Askarov set for October 15". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  27. ↑ Fighting, MMA. "Brandon Royval vs. Askar Askarov called off for UFC Vegas 62". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  28. ↑ Jay Anderson (2022-10-25). "Brandon Royval vs. Amir Albazi Set for UFC's December 17 Card". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  29. ↑ King, Nolan (2022-11-23). "Brandon Royval announces he's out of UFC Fight Night 216 due to broken wrist". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  30. ↑ Calhoun, Curtis (2023-02-09). "Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau Booked For UFC Kansas City, Twitter Reacts". Mma News | Ufc News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  31. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-15). "UFC Kansas City: Brandon Royval Floors Matheus Nicolau, Calls for Title Shot". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  32. 1 2 "UFC on ESPN 44 bonuses: Edson Barboza's spectacular knee knockout earns $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2023-04-16. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  33. ↑ Martin, Damon (2023-09-20). "Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2 set to headline UFC 296". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  34. ↑ "UFC 296 full results: Leon Edwards dominates Colby Covington; Alexandre Pantoja retains title". Yahoo Sports. 2023-12-17. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  35. ↑ Steve Marrocco (2024-01-11). "UFC Mexico City gets new headliner after Amir Albazi forced off card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  36. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2024-02-25). "UFC Mexico City: Brandon Royval Avenges Loss to Brandon Moreno". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  37. ↑ MMA Decisions (2024-02-24). "MMA Decisions - Brandon Royval defeats Brandon Moreno". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  38. ↑ Nolan King (2024-08-01). "UFC books Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira to headline October event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  39. ↑ Staff (2024-10-12). "UFC Vegas 98: Brandon Royval First to Defeat Tatsuro Taira in Back-and-Forth Thriller". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  40. 1 2 Chris Taylor (2024-10-12). "UFC Vegas 98 Bonus Report: Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira earn FOTN honors". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  41. ↑ Howard, Jake (14 October 2016). "Brandon "Raw Dog" Royval makes flyweight". Met Media. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  42. ↑ "Professor Brandon Royval". factoryxmuaythai.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  43. ↑ Mike Bohn (2024-10-13). "UFC Fight Night 244 post-event facts: Brandon Royval ties flyweight Fight of the Night record". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  44. 1 2 3 4 5 UFC (2024-04-01). "UFC Flyweight - Fight Stats". ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  45. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Brandon Royval". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
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