UFC President Dana White has confirmed a significant stake for one specific bout at UFC 317: the flyweight clash between Brandon Royval and Joshua Van. The winner of this anticipated matchup is guaranteed the next opportunity to compete for the UFC flyweight championship.
Taking place during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, UFC 317 features two title fights, including the main event between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira for a vacant title, and the co-main event where Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight belt against Kai Kara-France.
However, the spotlight on the flyweight division doesn`t end with the co-headliner. The main card also includes a fight between the top-ranked Brandon Royval (#1 contender) and the rising prospect Joshua Van (#12-ranked).
Royval vs. Van: A Direct Path to the Title
Joshua Van, a fighter known for his activity, stepped in on short notice for this fight. Royval, a former title challenger with a 7-3 UFC record (losses only to Brandon Moreno and champion Alexandre Pantoja twice), is coming off impressive wins against Moreno and undefeated prospect Tatsuro Taira. He has been actively seeking another shot at the belt.
At the official UFC 317 press conference, Dana White was questioned about the potential implications of the Royval vs. Van fight for the flyweight title picture. White explicitly stated that the winner would receive the next title shot, directly linking it to a previous comment about Royval feeling undervalued.
“The guy just asked [Royval], `You feel like you’re the most disrespected fighter in the UFC…` I guess I gotta say yes to that question then. Yes,” White confirmed, indicating the high stakes.
Both fighters reacted positively to the announcement, acknowledging the magnitude of the opportunity on the line.
Brandon Royval: The “Most Disrespected Fighter”?
Royval has publicly voiced his belief that he is the “most disrespected fighter” within the organization. This sentiment appears to stem from his perception of how he is consistently viewed by oddsmakers and fans.
“Anytime a money line comes out, I think I’ve been a favorite against Matt Schnell and never again in the UFC,” Royval stated during the UFC 317 media day. “My whole entire career I was always the underdog, nothing’s different.”
“I feel like I continuously get disrespected by the fans and whoever the oddsmakers are,” he reiterated.
Despite his previous losses to the current champion Pantoja, and a notable submission victory over co-main event fighter Kai Kara-France, Brandon Royval must first navigate the challenge posed by Joshua Van. Their upcoming bout now carries immense significance as a de facto title eliminator.
Percy Harlow