Brandon Royval’s Losses: Does the UFC Flyweight Have What it Takes to Defeat the Champion?
As we approach UFC 296, MMA fans everywhere are now aware of Brandon Royval, a burgeoning flyweight champion set to take on the long-reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja in December. With a recent string of convincing wins, Royval has earned the right to face off against the reigning champ in hopes of dethroning him and claiming the world title. But as Royval readies himself to take on the challenge of a lifetime, fans must ask themselves, how many times has the UFC flyweight been defeated in his professional career?
The answer to that question may surprise some MMA fans. Despite recent success in the division and an impressive win-streak, Royval has still suffered losses in his career. At present, Royval’s professional record stands at 11-4, with his four defeats coming at the hands of Kyung Ho Kang (October 2013), Karim Walid (August 2014), Eric Shelton (May 2016) and current UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson (November 2017). But despite these losses, Royval has shown a tremendous level of resilience in his career.
Royval began his MMA journey by competiting in various smaller promotions. But it was in 2013, when he signed with the Resurrection Fighting Alliance, that he began to truly make a name for himself in the sport. After recording several wins in the promotion, Royval moved onto Legacy Fighting Championship and then, finally, the UFC in 2017. Here, he has put together a solid stretch of wins, defeating the likes of Brok Weaver, David Dvorák, Tim Elliott and most recently, Kai Kara-France.
After being given the opportunity to face off against the champion at UFC 296, Royval immediately set to work doing whatever he could to make sure he was in the best condition possible. Along with his usual team of coaches and nutritionists Royval spent more hours in the gym, making sure he was beyond prepared for the battle ahead of him. And while Royval experienced losses in the past, he gained invaluable experience which will serve him well against the current champion.
Now, with UFC 296 set to take place on December 16, MMA fans everywhere will undoubtedly be tuning in to witness the latest chapter in the UFC flyweight division. The fight between Royval and Pantoja will be sure to be as exciting as it is grueling, as the champion looks to retain his title while the challenger looks to finally capture the gold. And, while losses have been part of Royval’s career, there’s no denying that he has the skills, determination and the drive to be successful in this fight.
Whether Royval ultimately leaves the Octagon with the belt remains to be seen. But his journey through the UFC has been inspiring to say the least, and his tenacity and dedication to pursuing his dream no matter the cost is commendable in every sense of the word. Royval may have succumbed to losses throughout his time in the Octagon, but there’s no doubt that he is ready for the challenge that awaits him, and the entire MMA community is ready to watch him attempt to become the new flyweight champion.
