Brandon Royval’s debut wasn’t polished or perfect—but it was powerful. It was real. It was the raw, emotional birth of a fighter who would become one of the most must-watch athletes in the UFC’s flyweight division
From walking out with trembling nerves to walking away with a submission victory and a $50,000 bonus, Royval proved that greatness doesn’t always begin with confidence—it sometimes begins with chaos.
His reflection reminds us all that behind every fighter’s stoic face is a storm of emotions.
And sometimes, the most unforgettable performances are born from the most uncertain beginnings.
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Table of Contents
Brandon Royval’s Raw Reflections
A Candid Look Back at His UFC Debut
Brandon “Raw Dawg” Royval’s rise in the UFC has been marked by relentless pace, tenacity, and undeniable talent.1
But in a recent YouTube video released by the UFC, Royval peeled back the layers of his debut experience, exposing the anxiety, uncertainty, and introspection that accompanied his first walk to the Octagon.
His debut at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns in May 2020, against seasoned veteran Tim Elliott, was more than just a fight—it was a personal turning point.
A Short-Notice Opportunity That Changed Everything
Royval didn’t have a typical training camp heading into his UFC debut. In fact, he had barely a week to prepare for Tim Elliott—a former title challenger known for his unconventional style and relentless pace.
For Royval, the situation was a chaotic blur of emotion and opportunity.
“I had a week to prepare,” Royval recalled. “The game plan was just to go out there and give him hell the whole entire fight.”
Despite the short notice, he knew this was his window—a one-time chance to etch his name in the minds of fans and UFC executives. With the odds stacked against him, Royval’s focus was on effort over perfection.
“I remember walking out there, and I was like, I’m gonna give it my all. I’m gonna try and win this fight with everything I have…”
Interview from like 5 months ago https://t.co/yJcNWlRzV0
— Brandon (@brandonroyval) June 12, 2025
Tim Elliott: The Ultimate Test for a Rookie
Royval didn’t walk into the Octagon with blind confidence. On the contrary, he openly admired Elliott and acknowledged the daunting task that stood before him.
“I thought so highly of Tim Elliott,” he admitted. “Just super awkward style. He was going to push a pace. He’s going to bring it.”
To Royval, this wasn’t just a fight—it was a measuring stick. A trial by fire. A clash against a man who had already fought for UFC gold and knew the terrain of high-level combat.
“In my mind, that was my fight to lose,” Royval explained. “But it was my entry into the UFC.”
Brandon Royval: Fighting the Internal Battle
Anxiety vs. Ambition
The nerves weren’t just real—they were overwhelming. While Elliott bounced around the Octagon with confidence and familiarity, Royval was drowning in tension.2
“He looked so comfortable, and I just did not feel that at all,” Royval confessed.
He recounted the surreal moment of standing near Dana White, UFC President, and doing everything in his power not to break mentally under the pressure.
“I remember I was standing on the side where Dana White was, and I just did not want to look at him.”
There was a vulnerability to Royval’s words, as he peeled back the curtain on how self-doubt and stage fright can eat away at a fighter’s mindset before a major debut.
The Turning Point: From Chaos to Clarity
Despite the internal chaos, Royval flipped a switch once the cage door closed.
What followed was a back-and-forth battle that captivated fans and earned Fight of the Night honors. In the second round, Royval secured a submission victory, shocking many who had doubted him.
But for Royval, the win was bittersweet.
“I was happy I won the fight, but I was so mad,” he said.
It wasn’t just about victory. It was about how he won. According to him, the win came more from capitalizing on Elliott’s mistakes than showcasing his own skills.
“I was just capitalizing on mistakes he made instead of doing anything good.”
Self-Criticism: A Hallmark of Growth
It’s not uncommon for fighters to be their own harshest critics, and Royval is no exception. Instead of basking in the glow of his bonus-earning debut, he focused on the deficiencies in his performance.
This introspective approach speaks volumes about his mindset—a refusal to settle for mere results, and a commitment to mastery.
This attitude has become a cornerstone of Royval’s UFC journey. Even when victorious, he views each fight as a lesson, a benchmark for self-improvement.
A Debut That Foreshadowed a Violent Style
Though Royval may have felt uneasy internally, fans saw a different picture—an explosive, unrelenting fighter with a wild but effective style.
The submission over Elliott was more than just a win; it was an introduction to a new kind of energy in the flyweight division.
The bonus Royval earned for Fight of the Night was not just a monetary reward—it was a stamp of approval.
It validated his aggression, his unpredictability, and his ability to thrill an audience. In a division often criticized for lack of finishes, Royval injected adrenaline.
Brandon Royval: From Unknown to Contender
That single night launched Royval into relevance. From unknown to contender, he quickly became a fixture in the UFC’s flyweight top 10.3
His raw, unfiltered style—both in personality and performance—made him a fan favorite.
Since that debut, Royval has faced the best of the division, including Brandon Moreno, Alexandre Pantoja, and Kai Kara-France.
Each bout has been a whirlwind of action, and each has further cemented Royval as one of the division’s most dangerous and entertaining competitors.
Mental Fortitude: Winning the Invisible War
More than physical preparation, Royval’s debut highlighted the psychological hurdles that define a fighter’s success.
His recollection of nerves, awkwardness, and self-doubt underscores a reality that fans often overlook: fighting is as mental as it is physical.
What separates good fighters from great ones isn’t just skill—it’s resilience. The ability to walk through fire mentally while executing physically. Royval’s debut was a masterclass in conquering internal fear and performing under duress.
Legacy of the Debut: Lessons That Still Echo
Years after that first walk, Royval still draws from the lessons of his UFC debut. The fear. The frustration. The fury. They didn’t disappear—they evolved.
They became fuel for his future. Every time he steps into the cage, he brings that same raw emotion with him, now refined through experience.
That debut was more than a fight. It was a statement of intent, a chaotic symphony that introduced “Raw Dawg” to the world.
The Fighter’s Path: Never Fully Satisfied
Perhaps the most telling aspect of Royval’s reflection is his dissatisfaction. Even in victory, he found flaws. Even in success, he found shortcomings.
That mentality—the hunger to be better than yesterday—is what will keep him in the conversation for years to come.
Fighters like Royval don’t rest on laurels. They grind. They evolve. They chase greatness, not just wins.
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Who Will Brandon Royval Fight Next?
A Closer Look at the Flyweight Contender’s Future After UFC 317
At UFC 317, top-ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval finds himself in a high-stakes matchup against Joshua Van, a talented but relatively inexperienced fighter stepping in on short notice.
This wasn’t the original plan—Royval was set to face the explosive Manel Kape in what was expected to be a title eliminator.
However, Kape’s unfortunate withdrawal due to a foot fracture has created both uncertainty and opportunity in the division.
As fans and analysts speculate on the immediate and long-term implications, one pressing question looms: Who will Brandon Royval fight next?
Option 1: A Rescheduled Bout with Manel Kape
This is the most straightforward and likely route. Manel Kape and Brandon Royval have been circling each other for some time, with their UFC 317 bout being just the latest scheduling attempt.
Unfortunately, Kape’s recurring issues—missed weight, injuries, and cancellations—have made it difficult for him to gain momentum, despite his elite-level skills.
If Kape’s foot heals quickly and Royval wins against Van with little damage, the UFC may aim to rebook the fight in the late summer or early fall. It still holds title implications and is arguably one of the most exciting stylistic matchups in the flyweight division.
Likelihood: High
Fan Interest: High
Title Implications: Strong
Option 2: Rematch with Alexandre Pantoja
Royval fought Pantoja for the title at UFC 296 and lost via unanimous decision. While it wasn’t a one-sided beating, Pantoja controlled the fight with his grappling and fight IQ.
If Royval dominates Van and Kape remains sidelined or unavailable, he could make a case for a rematch—especially if Pantoja’s next challenger falls through or doesn’t emerge clearly.
However, from a promotional perspective, giving a title shot to someone who recently lost to the champion may be a hard sell unless the division lacks alternatives.
Likelihood: Moderate
Fan Interest: Moderate
Title Implications: Immediate
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Option 3: Amir Albazi—The Dark Horse Clash
Amir Albazi is ranked just behind Royval and also holds a claim for a title opportunity. He most recently edged out Kai Kara-France in a controversial decision and has been lobbying for a shot at gold.
A Royval vs. Albazi clash would be a No. 1 contender bout on paper and could headline a UFC Fight Night event.
It would also provide stylistic intrigue: Albazi is a methodical wrestler with heavy top pressure, whereas Royval thrives in scrambles and transitions. The winner would emerge as the undisputed next challenger for the belt.
Likelihood: Moderate to High
Fan Interest: Moderate
Title Implications: High
Option 4: Muhammad Mokaev—The Prospect Test
Muhammad Mokaev is undefeated and rising rapidly. While still raw in some areas, his wrestling is top-tier, and his confidence is growing with each appearance.
A fight with Royval would be a massive test for the young Brit and an opportunity for Royval to prove he can neutralize a dominant grappler.
This matchup could serve as a passing-of-the-torch type of fight—or a career-defining setback for Mokaev. It makes sense if the UFC wants to push Mokaev into a title picture or if other contenders are unavailable.
Likelihood: Moderate
Fan Interest: Rising
Title Implications: Moderate to High
Option 5: Alex Perez—A Battle of Redemption
Alex Perez has had a tough run of form, but he’s still dangerous. A former title challenger himself, Perez recently broke his losing streak with a big knockout victory. Pairing him with Royval would be a high-risk, high-reward fight for both men.
Perez brings power and experience, while Royval would aim to overwhelm him with pace and creativity. While it’s not the most glamorous matchup, it could make sense as a co-main event on a fight night card.
Likelihood: Low to Moderate
Fan Interest: Low
Title Implications: Limited
What Happens If Brandon Royval Loses to Van?
While most believe Royval should beat Joshua Van, MMA is unpredictable. A loss to an unranked or lower-ranked opponent could be devastating to Royval’s title hopes.
Van, for his part, is a tough and fearless striker who may seize the opportunity and shock the world.
If Royval loses, his next fight will likely be against a fighter outside the top 5—perhaps someone like Matheus Nicolau or Tim Elliott, whom he has previously fought.
A loss would also significantly delay another title shot, especially with the division heating up.
Prediction: What’s the Most Likely Scenario?
Assuming Brandon Royval beats Joshua Van, the most likely scenario is a rescheduling of the fight with Manel Kape. Both fighters are near the top of the rankings, and the UFC has already tried to make this bout happen multiple times.
With Kape healing and Royval potentially coming out unscathed, the promotion may circle back to this matchup for a fall card, possibly UFC 322 or a Fight Night main event.
If that falls through, Amir Albazi becomes the most viable alternative. Either way, Royval’s next fight will likely have direct title implications—unless he calls for and is granted a rematch with Pantoja right away.
TL;DR:
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If Royval wins at UFC 317, a rescheduled fight with Manel Kape is the most likely next step.
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Other strong options include Amir Albazi, a rematch with Pantoja, or a test against Muhammad Mokaev.
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A loss to Van would be a major setback and likely drop Royval out of immediate title contention.
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Royval’s path to the title is still within reach—but the next few months are critical.
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