Brandon Royval
Updated: 12/21/2025, 1:52:58 AM Wikipedia source
Brandon Matthew Royval (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 since 2012, Royval has also formerly competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he is a former Legacy Fighting Alliance Flyweight Champion. As of December 16, 2025, he is #4 in the UFC flyweight rankings.
Infobox
Born
Brandon Matthew Royval (1992-08-16) August 16, 1992 (age 33)Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Other names
Raw Dawg
Height
5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight
125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division
Flyweight
Reach
68 in (173 cm)
Fighting out of
Englewood, Colorado, U.S.
Team
Factory X
Rank
Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Mario "Busy" Correa
Years active
2012–present
Total
26
Wins
17
By knockout
2
By submission
1
By decision
6
Losses
9
Tables
Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
26 matches
By knockout
17 wins
4
9 losses
2
By submission
By submission
26 matches
By submission
17 wins
9
9 losses
1
By decision
By decision
26 matches
By decision
17 wins
4
9 losses
6
| 26 matches | 17 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 2 |
| By submission | 9 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 6 |
· Mixed martial arts record
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
17–9
Opponent
Manel Kape
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Royval vs. Kape
Date
December 13, 2025
Round
1
Time
3:18
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
17–8
Opponent
Joshua Van
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 317
Date
June 28, 2025
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Fight of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
17–7
Opponent
Tatsuro Taira
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira
Date
October 12, 2024
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Fight of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
16–7
Opponent
Brandon Moreno
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2
Date
February 24, 2024
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Mexico City, Mexico
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
15–7
Opponent
Alexandre Pantoja
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 296
Date
December 16, 2023
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
For the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–6
Opponent
Matheus Nicolau
Method
KO (knee and elbows)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen
Date
April 15, 2023
Round
1
Time
2:09
Location
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–6
Opponent
Matt Schnell
Method
Submission (guillotine choke)
Event
UFC 274
Date
May 7, 2022
Round
1
Time
2:14
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Notes
Fight of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–6
Opponent
Rogério Bontorin
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze
Date
January 15, 2022
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
12–6
Opponent
Alexandre Pantoja
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum
Date
August 21, 2021
Round
2
Time
1:46
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
12–5
Opponent
Brandon Moreno
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC 255
Date
November 21, 2020
Round
1
Time
4:59
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–4
Opponent
Kai Kara-France
Method
Submission (guillotine choke)
Event
UFC 253
Date
September 27, 2020
Round
2
Time
0:48
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Notes
Fight of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–4
Opponent
Tim Elliott
Method
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns
Date
May 30, 2020
Round
2
Time
3:18
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Fight of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–4
Opponent
Nate Williams
Method
Submission (armbar)
Event
LFA 79
Date
November 22, 2019
Round
1
Time
0:23
Location
Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Notes
Won the vacant LFA Flyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–4
Opponent
Joby Sanchez
Method
Submission (armbar)
Event
LFA 65
Date
May 3, 2019
Round
1
Time
3:17
Location
Vail, Colorado, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
8–4
Opponent
Casey Kenney
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
LFA 53
Date
November 9, 2018
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Notes
For the interim LFA Flyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–3
Opponent
Charles Johnson
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
LFA 48
Date
September 7, 2018
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Kearney, Nebraska, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–3
Opponent
Jerome Rivera
Method
TKO (arm injury)
Event
LFA 39
Date
May 4, 2018
Round
1
Time
0:40
Location
Vail, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–3
Opponent
Demetrius Wilson
Method
Submission (triangle choke)
Event
LFA 22
Date
September 8, 2017
Round
2
Time
2:00
Location
Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
5–3
Opponent
Nick Urso
Method
Decision (split)
Event
LFA 10
Date
April 21, 2017
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Pueblo, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–2
Opponent
Rakan Adwan
Method
Submission (armbar)
Event
LFA 5
Date
February 24, 2017
Round
1
Time
1:54
Location
Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–2
Opponent
Angel Torres
Method
Submission (triangle choke)
Event
Sparta Combat League 53
Date
October 15, 2016
Round
1
Time
0:34
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Notes
Flyweight debut.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
3–2
Opponent
Ricky Palacios
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Combate Americas: Road to the Championship 5
Date
May 26, 2016
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Los Angeles, California, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–1
Opponent
Danny Mainus
Method
KO (knee)
Event
WSOF 29
Date
March 12, 2016
Round
1
Time
2:48
Location
Greeley, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–1
Opponent
Joey Welch
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Sparta Combat League: Mile High Mayhem
Date
August 23, 2014
Round
1
Time
0:51
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
1–1
Opponent
Ben VomBaur
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Kick Down MMA 104: BOOM
Date
October 19, 2012
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Notes
Bantamweight debut.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Sammy Rind
Method
TKO (elbows)
Event
Kick Down MMA 102: Rebels
Date
August 17, 2012
Round
1
Time
1:45
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Notes
Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 17–9 | Manel Kape | KO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Royval vs. Kape | December 13, 2025 | 1 | 3:18 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 17–8 | Joshua Van | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 317 | June 28, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 17–7 | Tatsuro Taira | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira | October 12, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 16–7 | Brandon Moreno | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 | February 24, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 15–7 | Alexandre Pantoja | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 296 | December 16, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For the UFC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–6 | Matheus Nicolau | KO (knee and elbows) | UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen | April 15, 2023 | 1 | 2:09 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 14–6 | Matt Schnell | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 274 | May 7, 2022 | 1 | 2:14 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 13–6 | Rogério Bontorin | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze | January 15, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–6 | Alexandre Pantoja | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum | August 21, 2021 | 2 | 1:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–5 | Brandon Moreno | TKO (punches) | UFC 255 | November 21, 2020 | 1 | 4:59 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–4 | Kai Kara-France | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 253 | September 27, 2020 | 2 | 0:48 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 11–4 | Tim Elliott | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns | May 30, 2020 | 2 | 3:18 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–4 | Nate Williams | Submission (armbar) | LFA 79 | November 22, 2019 | 1 | 0:23 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Won the vacant LFA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–4 | Joby Sanchez | Submission (armbar) | LFA 65 | May 3, 2019 | 1 | 3:17 | Vail, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 8–4 | Casey Kenney | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 53 | November 9, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | For the interim LFA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–3 | Charles Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 48 | September 7, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kearney, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | Jerome Rivera | TKO (arm injury) | LFA 39 | May 4, 2018 | 1 | 0:40 | Vail, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Demetrius Wilson | Submission (triangle choke) | LFA 22 | September 8, 2017 | 2 | 2:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 5–3 | Nick Urso | Decision (split) | LFA 10 | April 21, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Pueblo, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Rakan Adwan | Submission (armbar) | LFA 5 | February 24, 2017 | 1 | 1:54 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4–2 | Angel Torres | Submission (triangle choke) | Sparta Combat League 53 | October 15, 2016 | 1 | 0:34 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Loss | 3–2 | Ricky Palacios | Decision (unanimous) | Combate Americas: Road to the Championship 5 | May 26, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Danny Mainus | KO (knee) | WSOF 29 | March 12, 2016 | 1 | 2:48 | Greeley, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Joey Welch | TKO (punches) | Sparta Combat League: Mile High Mayhem | August 23, 2014 | 1 | 0:51 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Ben VomBaur | Decision (unanimous) | Kick Down MMA 104: BOOM | October 19, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 1–0 | Sammy Rind | TKO (elbows) | Kick Down MMA 102: Rebels | August 17, 2012 | 1 | 1:45 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
References
- ufcstats.comhttp://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/6e15f63b6c2e2c15
- UFC.comhttps://www.ufc.com/athlete/brandon-royval
- Jim Nortonhttps://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWFlYTRlNjktYWY1MS00OTVlLWFmYzktYTk3NjAxNDY5MjJiLzI3MmQ2M2QwLTE0ZTItNGI3MC1hN2YwLWFiOTAwMTdlNzY2Mi85Y2ZkOThjYy1iZmZmLTRiOTQtOWE5MC1hYjkwMDE3ZTc2NzUvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M/episode/OGE0YWNmZTItMzVmOC00NmFlLWIyN2UtYWU4YTAwMDZkNTQ2
- Tapologyhttps://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/25031-brandon-royval
- www.ufc.comhttps://www.ufc.com/rankings
- mymetmedia.comhttps://www.mymetmedia.com/brandon-raw-dog-royval/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2019/03/28/welcome-to-the-ufc-casey-kenney/
- "LFA 65 results: Brandon Royval taps out UFC vet Joby Sanchez"https://mmajunkie.com/2019/05/lfa-65-results-brandon-royval-taps-out-ufc-vet-joby-sanchez
- "Brandon Royval Knows He Belongs"https://www.ufc.com/news/brandon-royval-knows-he-belongs-ufc-255
- mmajunkie.usatoday.comhttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/tim-elliott-vs-brandon-royval-flyweight-may-30-lineup
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2020/05/30/ufc-vegas-results-brandon-royval-submits-tim-elliott-in-ufc-debut/
- Bloody Elbowhttps://web.archive.org/web/20200608180759/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/5/31/21275717/ufc-las-vegas-post-fight-bonuses-derns-record-setting-kneebar-wins-potn
- "UFC Flyweightclash tussen Kai Kara-France en Brandon Royval op 26 september"https://mmadna.nl/ufc-flyweightclash-tussen-kai-kara-france-en-brandon-royval-op-26-september/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2020/09/26/ufc-253-results-kai-kara-france-vs-brandon-royval/
- "UFC 253 bonuses: Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz cash in with championship performances"https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/27/21458097/ufc-253-bonuses-israel-adesanya-jan-blachowicz-cash-in-with-championship-performances
- "Brandon Royval replaces Alex Perez, meets Brandon Moreno at UFC 255"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/brandon-royval-vs-brandon-moreno-flyweight-ufc-255-replacement-alex-perez
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/21/ufc-255-results-brandon-moreno/
- MMA DNAhttps://mmadna.nl/alexandre-pantoja-vs-brandon-royval-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-21-augustus/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2021/08/21/ufc-vegas-34-results-alexandre-pantoja-vs-brandon-royval/
- MMAFightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2021/10/1/22703949/rogerio-bontorin-reduced-usada-suspension-tainted-supplement-brandon-royval-january-15-ufc
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/01/15/ufc-vegas-46-results-brandon-royval/
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2022/2/24/22950183/brandon-royval-vs-matt-schnell-added-to-ufc-274
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/05/07/ufc-274-brandon-royval-taps-matt-schnell-wild-two-minute-scrap/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/05/08/ufc-274-chandler-fialho-earn-performance-night/
- cagesidepress.comhttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/08/03/ufc-brandon-royval-vs-askar-askarov-set-october-15/
- "Brandon Royval vs. Askar Askarov called off for UFC Vegas 62"https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/10/14/23404443/brandon-royval-vs-askar-askarov-called-off-for-ufc-vegas-62
- cagesidepress.comhttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/10/25/brandon-royval-vs-amir-albazi-set-ufcs-december-17-card/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/ufc-news-brandon-royval-out-vs-amir-albazi-fight-night-216-injury
- Mma News | Ufc News, Results & Interviewshttps://www.mmanews.com/2023/02/brandon-royval-vs-matheus-nicolau-booked-for-ufc-kansas-city-twitter-reacts/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/15/ufc-kansas-city-brandon-royval-vs-matheus-nicolau/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-on-espn-44-bonuses-edson-barboza-knockout-bill-algeo-tj-brown-gillian-robertson-brandon-royval
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2023/9/20/23883410/leon-edwards-vs-colby-covington-alexandre-pantoja-vs-brandon-royval-2-set-to-headline-ufc-296
- Yahoo Sportshttps://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-296-full-results-leon-edwards-dominates-colby-covington-alexandre-pantoja-retains-title-190016777.html
- "UFC Mexico City gets new headliner after Amir Albazi forced off card"https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/1/11/24035284/ufc-mexico-city-gets-new-headliner-after-amir-albazi-forced-off-card
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/02/25/ufc-mexico-city-brandon-royval-avenges-loss-to-brandon-moreno/
- "MMA Decisions - Brandon Royval defeats Brandon Moreno"http://mmadecisions.com/decision/14548/Brandon-Royval-vs-Brandon-Moreno
- "UFC books Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira to headline October event"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/08/ufc-news-brandon-royval-vs-tatsuro-taira-booked-main-event
- "UFC Vegas 98: Brandon Royval First to Defeat Tatsuro Taira in Back-and-Forth Thriller"https://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/12/ufc-vegas-98-brandon-royval-first-to-defeat-tatsuro-taira-in-back-and-forth-thriller/
- "UFC Vegas 98 Bonus Report: Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira earn FOTN honors"https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-vegas-98/ufc-vegas-98-bonus-report-brandon-royval-and-tatsuro-taira-earn-fotn-honors/
- "Ultimate encaminha Manel Kape vs Brandon Royval para luta principal do UFC Vegas 103"https://agfight.com/noticias/ultimate-encaminha-manel-kape-vs-brandon-royval-para-luta-principal-do-ufc-vegas-103/
- "Brandon Royval announces he's out of Manel Kape fight at UFC Vegas 103"https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/2/5/24359532/brandon-royval-announces-hes-out-of-manel-kape-fight-at-ufc-vegas-103
- "Manel Kape vs. Brandon Royval booked for UFC 317"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2025/04/ufc-317-manel-kape-vs-brandon-royval-rebooked
- "Manel Kape breaks foot; Brandon Royval, Joshua Van agree to UFC 317 fight"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/06/09/ufc-317-joshua-van-vs-brandon-royval-manel-kape-broken-foot/84121627007/
- "Joshua Van Takes Decision Over Royval In FOTY Candidate"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/06/28/joshua-van-takes-decision-over-royval-in-foty-candidate/
- "UFC 317 Bonus Report: Joshua Van and Brandon Royval earn FOTN honors"https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-317/ufc-317-bonus-report-joshua-van-and-brandon-royval-earn-fotn-honors/
- "UFC 317 post-event facts: Ilia Topuria raises bar for two-division title club"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/06/29/ufc-317-post-event-facts-ilia-topuria-history-two-division-champions-record/84381262007/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/09/01/brandon-royval-vs-manel-kape-headlines-last-ufc-card-espn-exit/85930230007/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2025/12/14/manel-kape-knocks-out-brandon-royval-in-first-round-shakes-up-flyweight-title-picture/
- Met Mediahttps://www.mymetmedia.com/brandon-raw-dog-royval/
- factoryxmuaythai.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20240419175327/http://factoryxmuaythai.com/Instructors/Professor-Brandon-Royval
- "UFC 317 post-event facts: Ilia Topuria raises bar for two-division title club"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/06/29/ufc-317-post-event-facts-ilia-topuria-history-two-division-champions-record/84381262007/
- UFC.comhttp://statleaders.ufc.com/?fighter_status=0&weight_class=FLW
- "UFC Flyweight - Fight Stats"http://statleaders.ufc.com/en/fight?weight_class=FLW
- Ultimate Fighting Championshiphttps://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-newcomers-2020-chimaev-buckley-royval-read
- Ultimate Fighting Championshiphttps://www.ufc.com/news/2020-awards-10-best-upsets-modafferi-dobson-erosa-read
- www.ufc.comhttps://www.ufc.com/news/the-fights-2024-ufccom-awards
- UFChttps://www.ufc.com/news/fights-2025-half-year-awards
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2024/12/24/24326306/2024-mma-all-star-team-who-were-the-most-violent-fighters-in-each-weight-class-this-year
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Brandon-Royval-83851