Brandon Royval vs. the elite: Can he capture UFC gold in 2024?

MMA is a sport that embraces the risk takers and encourages fighters to develop new skills and keep on fighting through the hardships. Over the past few years, there are very few fighters who can be associated with such characteristics as much as the current UFC flyweight Brandon Royval. Best known for his power, unorthodox movement and a never-say-die attitude, Royval has emerged as one of the most entertaining fighters in the flyweight division. As he keeps on climbing the ladder, the one question that remains on everyone’s lips is whether 2024 could be the year that Brandon Royval becomes the UFC champion.

This article also details Royval’s UFC career, his bouts against the cream of the flyweight division and the challenges he has to face to claim the title.

The Road to UFC for Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval was born in Denver, Colorado and was exposed to the martial arts at an early age, which paved the way to his mixed martial arts journey. Training under the guidance of his coach Marc Montoya at Factory X, Royval started his professional career as a fighter in local shows and then moved to the big platform of UFC.

From the start, Royval was more comfortable in fast, back-and-forth bouts. The nickname he had, “Raw Dawg,” was given to him because of his aggressive approach and desire to engage in a brawl whether it is on the feet or on the ground. This man possessed a very unique set of attributes such as innovation, vigor, and stamina that would later on make him one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC.

Royval was able to fight in promotions such as the Legacy Fighting Alliance where he won the flyweight title and was signed by the UFC in 2020. His debut match was against Tim Elliott, a former UFC Flyweight title challenger with a weird style and a never give up attitude. Royval was able to submit his opponent in the second round thus proving that he can handle the pressure of the UFC and that he is a great grappler. This was a statement victory and one that should have people taking note of Royval as a prospect in the flyweight division.

The Journey of the UFC Flyweight Division.

After a great start to his career, Royval was among the most promising fighters in the flyweight division. His next fight was against Kai Kara-France, a New Zealand based fighter who was already a part of the UFC top 10. In one of the most entertaining flyweight bouts that fans have seen in the recent past, Royval and Kara-France engaged in a fierce exchange that saw the two nearly land the knockout blow.

Royval was able to get the victory by submitting his opponent in the second round with a guillotine choke which made him get his second successive win in the UFC and also received the Performance of the Night bonus. The fight was a perfect example of why the fans and analysts had grown to love Royval – the man was not afraid to push the pace, to take risks and to look for the finish in what often became a wild brawl. His victory over Kara-France elevated him to the top of the flyweight division and he would be challenged with even tougher opponents.

But every rising in the level of competition brings about new challenges and Royval’s path to the top of the division was no different.

The Setbacks: This is the Fight Against the Crème de la Crème of the Flyweight Division

Every fighter has his or her share of victories and losses on the way to the title and Royval is no exception. After his victory over Kara-France, Royval was scheduled to fight Brandon Moreno, a contender in the division. This was a big bout because both men were looking to secure themselves a title shot.

However, Royval got a dislocated shoulder in the fight and thus Moreno won by TKO in the first round. This was a big blow for Royval not only in the physical aspect but also in the psychological aspect. But even in the fight, and especially during the last few seconds before the injury, one could see that he is on the same level with the division’s elite.

Moreno would later on defeat the current flyweight champion making Royval’s loss to him quite reasonable. Still, it was a reminder of how unforgiving the sport of MMA is where a single mishap or an injury can put a fighter out of action.

Royval came back to the Octagon for the second time in 2021 after recovering from a shoulder injury to fight Alexandre Pantoja, another flyweight contender who had already proved himself in the division. The fight was another tough contest and Pantoja was able to submit his opponent in the second round. Again, Royval showed that he is a warrior and a true athlete as he tried to knock out Pantoja but failed and was submitted in the process.

It was hard for Royval to go through these back-to-back losses, but at the same time, these losses were beneficial to him in terms of learning. The flyweight division is one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC and to win the title a fighter has to be able to learn, develop and bounce back from a loss. It was therefore not a surprise to see that Royval was able to do just that in his subsequent fights.

The Comeback: Revival and the Main Triumphs.

After suffering defeats at the hands of Moreno and Pantoja, people questioned whether Royval would be able to regain his form and keep on climbing the ladder in the flyweight division. This being a true reflection of the character that Royval is, he did not back down. However, he decided to take the time and increase his training to enhance his grappling and striking defence while at the same time keeping his aggressive fighting style.

In 2022, Royval came back to the Octagon and got two wins in a row that brought him back to the top of the list in the division. His bout with Rogerio Bontorin was a rather competitive contest where Royval had to demonstrate improved takedown defense and resilience. He got the victory through split decision which shows the heart and the spirit of the fighter to stand up and fight no matter the circumstances.

Then, Royval fought Matt Schnell in a bout that was important for both fighters at UFC 274. Schnell, who is dangerous in striking and submission, was a big threat to Royval. However, Royval didn’t take long to make a statement. One of the best flyweight finishes of the year saw Royval submit his opponent in the first round with a guillotine choke and receive another Performance of the Night bonus.

These victories proved that Royval is not only back in the competition but he is more powerful than before. His work rate, coupled with the fact that he was gradually becoming more skilled, made him a danger to anyone in the division. After these wins, Royval was now standing on the doorsteps of another title shot once again.

Analyzing the Flyweight Elite: Royval’s Key Matchups

If Brandon Royval is to capture UFC gold in 2024, he will have to defeat some of the best fighters in the division. The flyweight division is not as deep as some other divisions but it is full of great athletes. Now, let’s look at some of the potential battles that may define how Royval can ascend to the top of the division.

Brandon Moreno

Brandon Moreno, the current UFC flyweight champion is the toughest challenge that Royval will face. Their first fight was cut short by Royval’s shoulder injury and thus fans were left with many questions. Moreno has since built himself as one of the great flyweight champions in UFC history, with his amazing trilogy against Deiveson Figueiredo.

Moreno is a well-versed fighter who possesses great striking, grappling, and cardiovascular endurance. He is also a very intelligent fighter and is capable of making changes in the course of a fight. For Royval, a rematch with Moreno would be another opportunity to get a win and show that he deserves to be among the best. In order to secure the victory, Royval should stay away from the grappling and especially the clinch where Moreno is most dangerous and try to keep more mobile champion at bay with his striking skills.

Moreno is a very durable fighter and has championship experience which makes him a very dangerous opponent for anyone but Royval’s unorthodox style and speed could be a problem. A rematch between the two would most certainly be one of the biggest fights in the flyweight division.

Alexandre Pantoja

Another important fighter in the flyweight division is Alexandre Pantoja and he has beaten Royval. Pantoja’s ground game and his ability to dominate his opponents on the ground is a great threat. But Royval has developed since the last fight and a rematch could be a completely different story.

To beat Pantoja, Royval should enhance his takedown defense and make sure that the fight does not go to the ground where Pantoja is stronger. Pantoja is a tough guy and is usually very durable, but Royval is fast and will put pressure on him and that could be the difference in a five round fight.

A victory over Pantoja would not only give Royval redemption over one of his losses but also put him in the position for a title shot. It would be a battle that would challenge the growth of Royval as a fighter and how he would fare against some of the best grapplers in the division.

Deiveson Figueiredo

While Deiveson Figueiredo is no longer the UFC flyweight champion he is still one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. Figueiredo has always been a knockout artist and always came forward, which made him a popular fighter, and the fact that he can finish a fight at any given time makes him a dangerous fighter.

The Brazilian is a very dangerous fighter, but a fight against Figueiredo would be a very interesting one for Royval. Figueiredo’s power is something that may trouble Royval as the latter has been known to engage in reckless striking exchanges. But, Royval’s speed, cardio, and grappling could be the difference in this fight as he has the edge over Sandhagen in those departments.

Figueiredo has had problems with weight loss and his cardio in the past and Royval is a non-stop pressure fighter. If Royval can weather the early storm and take Figueiredo into the later rounds, he has a good chance of getting a win.

Kai Kara-France

A rematch with Kai Kara-France could be another fight for Royval on his way to the title. It was a brawl of a debut in their first fight that saw Royval get the better of Kara-France but the latter has been on the rise ever since and is still one of the best in the division.

The striking is Kara-France’s biggest weapon, and in a rematch, Royval needs to watch out for the power that Kara-France possesses. But, grappling and submissions that Royval can bring to the fight could once again be the deciding factor.

A victory over Kara-France will only strengthen the position of Royval as one of the best in the division and might pave the way for a title fight.

Here is what Royval needs to do to get the UFC gold by 2024

Brandon Royval’s journey to UFC gold is not far fetched but it will need him to progress and polish some aspects of his skills. The following are some of the areas that Royval needs to concentrate if he wants to win the flyweight title in 2024:

1. Improve Defensive Grappling

Royval’s submission offence is great for the division, however, he tends to have issues when it comes to defensive grappling against high level grapplers such as Moreno and Pantoja. If Royval wishes to excel at the highest level, then he will have to work on his takedown defense and his ability to escape from the ground.

2. Maintain Pace and Cardio

Another of Royval’s significant advantages is that he can put pressure on the opponent non-stop during the whole fight. This pressure can be quite a psychological warfare especially to those who have problems with cardio. Royval has to keep on capitalizing on this strength and use it to wear down his opponents in the five rounds.

3. Develop More Technical Striking

Although Royval has been successful with his unique striking, bettering his technique and his defense against the top kickers in the division will be important. Figueiredo and Kara-France are knockout artists, and Royval will have to be more careful in the striking department to avoid getting knocked out.

4. Take Good Care of Health and Not Get Injured

Royval has been battling injuries in his career and the worst happened during the fight with Moreno. Royval should ensure that he does not suffer from long injuries as he chases the title in the 2024 season. More training and ensuring that he does not get other injuries will help him stand a better chance of going for the championship.

Conclusion: Is it Possible for Royval to Clinch UFC Title in 2024?

Brandon Royval’s UFC flyweight division journey has been one of the most entertaining, up and down, and inspiring rides in the division. As he prepares for 2024, the question remains: can he win the ufc belt?

Yes, he can become a future star but only if Royval will keep on improving as a fighter. This division is filled with great champions and contenders and Royval will have to go through the likes of Brandon Moreno, Alexandre Pantoja, and Deiveson Figueiredo. But with his unorthodox striking, high pressure and constant evolution in his skills, Royval has what it takes to be a UFC Champion.

If Royval can stay healthy, shore up his takedown defense, and clean up his striking game, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he will be holding the UFC title by 2024. As of now, the fans can only sit and watch and see if the “Raw Dawg” can indeed step up to the plate and become one of the best flyweight fighters in the world.