Brandon Royval Believes UFC Trying to Push Him Out of Flyweight Rankings
The former title challenger says his matchup against rising prospect Lone'er Kavanagh feels personal.
Brandon Royval believes his upcoming fight is about more than just another win. Scheduled to face Lone'er Kavanagh at UFC 329 this Saturday in Las Vegas, the former flyweight title challenger says he feels the UFC is trying to push him down the rankings by matching him against one of the division's rising prospects.
Brandon Royval Takes it Personally
Kavanagh last competed in February, when he defeated Brandon Moreno in the biggest victory of his career so far. Not long after that bout, the UFC announced that the British fighter would face Royval. And according to "Raw Dawg", he knew right away that this would be the matchup. Speaking at UFC 329 media day, the American said he believes the promotion is trying to remove him from the rankings by matching him up against a very dangerous opponent.
"I could see it coming. As soon as that fight was over, I was sure they were going to present it to me," Brandon Royval began. "I knew we were fighting literally the next day after his win over Moreno, so yeah, they made that fight quick. (...) I've always been this way, but this is personal. This is someone trying to take my spot. I've been in the Top 5 in this division for like four to five years — I don't know, but most of my UFC career I've been in the Top 5 — and I take it personally that they are trying to push me out. It's my job to make a statement and stay in there."
Brandon Royval Finds Upcoming Fight Thrilling
Despite claiming the UFC is working against him in this situation, Royval also acknowledged why the matchup makes sense, saying it has all the ingredients to be an exciting fight.
"They made this fight because it's exciting, and that is what is going to happen — there's a reason they booked this fight so far out and right after he won," Royval explained. "This is an exciting fight to make, and this is what they want. It's why I get paid, why I'm here. The opportunity is to fill my pocket full of cash, make a statement, and put on another high-level, exciting fight."
Veteran vs. Rising Prospect
The fight presents an interesting matchup between two fighters at different stages of their careers. On one hand, Royval has already established himself as one of the flyweight division's top contenders, having challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the title in December 2023. On the other, Kavanagh has emerged as one of the division's most promising prospects, having suffered just one defeat in his professional MMA career.
At UFC 329, Royval will look to defend his place among the flyweight division's elite, while Kavanagh has the opportunity to continue his rise by defeating one of the division's most established contenders.
