Tag: Brandon Royval

Video – UFC flyweight standout Brandon Royval drug tested while at a restaurant

Video - UFC flyweight standout Brandon Royval drug tested while he was at a restaurantNo. 1 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval couldn’t even sit down to eat without having to give a urine…

Video - UFC flyweight standout Brandon Royval drug tested while he was at a restaurant

No. 1 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval couldn’t even sit down to eat without having to give a urine sample.

‘Raw Dawg’ recently revealed on his Instagram stories that a representative with DFSI (Drug Free Sport International) interrupted his meal at a local restaurant to complete one of the promotion’s no-notice drug tests.

“LOL they really drug testing me everywhere,” Royval captioned the video.

After eight years, the UFC ended its partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency in favor of an in-house system. Today, DFSI handles sample collection while the actual sample testing goes through SMRTL (Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory), considered by many in the industry to be the top anti-doping testing laboratory in the world.

Brandon Royval’s latest win forces the UFC to think outside the box for its next flyweight title challenger

Coming up short against reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296 last year, Brandon Royval bounced back last month, scoring a big split decision victory over former titleholder Brandon Moreno on short notice. The win solidified his spot at the top of the 125-pound rankings.

Brandon Royval vs. Brandon Moreno

His win also put the promotion in a bit of a pickle when it came to booking Pantoja’s next title fight.

As a result, Steve Erceg, who is coming off just his third win inside the Octagon, will challenge ‘The Cannibal’ in the UFC 301 headliner on Saturday, May 4 in Rio de Janeiro.

Pantoja vs. Erceg

Brandon Royval calls out flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja in fiery post-fight interview at UFC Mexico City

Brandon RoyvalBrandon Royval wants another crack at flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. Stepping up on short notice after Brandon Moreno’s originally…

Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval wants another crack at flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.

Stepping up on short notice after Brandon Moreno’s originally scheduled opponent — Amir Albazi — bowed out due to a neck injury, Royval delivered a solid performance throughout their five-round headliner, earning a split-decision victory over ‘The Assassin Baby’ inside Mexico City’s Arena CDMX.

Following the contest, a fired-up Royval called out Pantoja, who was sitting cageside for the festivities.

“I’m a f*cking gangster. I’m the realest one in this flyweight division,” Royval said while speaking with Paul Felder. Everybody wants to grapple me all day. Speaking of grappling, I hear Pantoja’s in the building. Let’s run that sh*t back motherf*cker. Ain’t no motherf*cker holding me down ever again. I’m going to people’s house and I’m taking their f*cking sh*t. All day, every day. Brandon ‘Raw Dog’ motherf*ckin’ Royval in the building. Westside!”

Is anyone interested in Brandon Royval vs. Alexandre Pantoja 3?

Brandon Royval has stepped inside the Octagon with Pantoja on two separate occasions, the first coming at a Fight Night event in August 2021. Pantoja earned a submission via RNC in the second round. Two years later, they would run it back in a flyweight title tilt at UFC 296 in December. ‘The Cannibal’ once again came out on top, this time by unanimous decision.

With Royval already coming up short against Pantoja twice, a third fight between the two would be a hard sell for fight fans. But with the UFC in desperate need of a flyweight title contender not named Brandon Moreno, ‘Raw Dog’ may be the best option at hand.

Brandon Royval defies the odds, scores split decision over Brandon Moreno – UFC Mexico City Highlights

Brandon RoyvalBrandon Royval stepped into the UFC Mexico main event as a +220 underdog, but that didn’t stop him from…

Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval stepped into the UFC Mexico main event as a +220 underdog, but that didn’t stop him from delivering a show-stealing performance against former flyweight world champion Brandon Moreno.

More than three years removed from their first meeting when ‘The Assassin Baby’ scored a last-second TKO, Royval earned some redemption, outlasting Moreno in a five-round back-and-forth war inside Arena CDMX in Mexico City. ‘Raw Dog’ threw an incredible 370 significant strikes during the 25-minute affair, though he only landed a lowly 28%. Still, that was enough to outstrike Moreno in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds which ultimately sealed the victory on two of the three scorecards.

Official Result: Brandon Royval def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)

Following the bout, Royval called for a rematch with reigning flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja, who was sitting cageside for the festivities. Royval came up short against Pantoja at UFC 296 in December, but his impressive short-notice showing against Moreno may put him right back in line for another shot at gold.

Check Out Highlights From Brandon Royval vs. Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico:

Brandon Royval scores brutal knee, elbow strikes KO win over Matheus Nicolau – UFC Kansas City Highlights

Brandon Royval KO's Matheus Nicolau with knee strikes UFC Kansas City HighlightsAttempting to stamp his ticket for his first title challenge under the promotional banner, streaking flyweight contender, Brandon Royval turns in his third consecutive victory — finishing Brazilian staple, Matheus Nicolau with a first round knee and elbow strikes knockout on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night Kansas City. Entering tonight’s high-stakes clash with […]

Brandon Royval KO's Matheus Nicolau with knee strikes UFC Kansas City Highlights

Attempting to stamp his ticket for his first title challenge under the promotional banner, streaking flyweight contender, Brandon Royval turns in his third consecutive victory — finishing Brazilian staple, Matheus Nicolau with a first round knee and elbow strikes knockout on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night Kansas City.

Entering tonight’s high-stakes clash with Brazilian contender, Nicolau boasting the #4 rank in the official flyweight pile, Factory X trainee, Royval had landed a pair of triumphs over both Rogerio Bontorin, and Matt Schnell ahead of tonight’s outing in Missouri.

Voicing his interest in serving as an official back-up to this July’s flyweight title fight rematch between past-foes, Brandon Moreno, and Alexandre Pantoja, Royval likely staked his claim for title contention with tonight’s victory.

Stopping Minas Gerais finisher, Nicolau, Royval countered strikes from the Brazilian with a knee straight up the middle, before jumping into guard and landing a series of heavy elbows, securing a first round knockout win.

Below, catch the highlights from Brandon Royval’s KO win over Matheus Nicolau

Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau Booked For UFC Kansas City, Twitter Reacts

A UFC flyweight showdown between contenders Brandon Royval and Matheus Nicolau has been added to UFC Kansas City on April 15th. Royval returns after nearly a year away from fighting due to back-to-back fight cancelations last year. He was supposed to f…

A UFC flyweight showdown between contenders Brandon Royval and Matheus Nicolau has been added to UFC Kansas City on April 15th. Royval returns after nearly a year away from fighting due to back-to-back fight cancelations last year. He was supposed to face Askar Askarov and Amir Albazi before injury issues and Askarov’s botched weight cut….

Continue Reading Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau Booked For UFC Kansas City, Twitter Reacts at MMA News.

Askarov Admits He “Wasn’t Ready” For Kara-France Bout

Askar Askarov has admitted that he was not ready before fighting Kai Kara-France in his most recent bout. “Bullet” debuted in the UFC with a split draw against current interim flyweight title holder Brandon Moreno in 2019. Askarov rebounded from that i…

Askar Askarov has admitted that he was not ready before fighting Kai Kara-France in his most recent bout. “Bullet” debuted in the UFC with a split draw against current interim flyweight title holder Brandon Moreno in 2019. Askarov rebounded from that initial setback to earn decision victories over Alexandre Pantoja as well as former flyweight…

Continue Reading Askarov Admits He “Wasn’t Ready” For Kara-France Bout at MMA News.