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Weighs in as backup
Royval weighed in as the backup for Saturday's flyweight co-main event, checking in at an even 125 pounds, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
While Royval has lost to both combatants featured in Saturday's co-main event, he has since won three consecutive bouts, and the two most recent have earned him a post-fight bonus. His presence at Saturday's weigh-ins suggest the UFC considers him to be on the verge of a title shot in a thin flyweight division, though with both Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja making championship weight, it doesn't appear as if Royval's services will be necessary.
While Royval has lost to both combatants featured in Saturday's co-main event, he has since won three consecutive bouts, and the two most recent have earned him a post-fight bonus. His presence at Saturday's weigh-ins suggest the UFC considers him to be on the verge of a title shot in a thin flyweight division, though with both Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja making championship weight, it doesn't appear as if Royval's services will be necessary.
Pulls upset of Matheus Nicolau
Royval defeated Matheus Nicolau via KO (strikes) at 2:09 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN 44 on Saturday in Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
Royval had traditionally struggled against better competition over the course of his UFC run, so it was nice to see him pull an upset here against a talented opponent in Nicolau. A fighter not typically known for his stopping power, Royval crushed his opponent with a knee before firing off some follow-up strikes which resulted in referee Nick Berens stepping in. The result would go on to earn Royval one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. It has since been announced Royval, who has now won three fights in a row, will be the backup fighter for the upcoming title bout between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja scheduled for UFC 290 in early-July. Oddly enough, those are the two fighters which Royval's two most recent defeats have come against.
Royval had traditionally struggled against better competition over the course of his UFC run, so it was nice to see him pull an upset here against a talented opponent in Nicolau. A fighter not typically known for his stopping power, Royval crushed his opponent with a knee before firing off some follow-up strikes which resulted in referee Nick Berens stepping in. The result would go on to earn Royval one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. It has since been announced Royval, who has now won three fights in a row, will be the backup fighter for the upcoming title bout between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja scheduled for UFC 290 in early-July. Oddly enough, those are the two fighters which Royval's two most recent defeats have come against.
Taking on Matheus Nicolau
Royval (wrist) agreed to fight Matheus Nicolau in a flyweight bout at UFC Kansas City on April 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Royval was forced to withdraw from his December bout against Amir Albazi due to a broken wrist but will make his return to the Octagon in April. Royval has won his past two fights while Nicolau is 4-0 since making his UFC debut in March of 2021.
Royval was forced to withdraw from his December bout against Amir Albazi due to a broken wrist but will make his return to the Octagon in April. Royval has won his past two fights while Nicolau is 4-0 since making his UFC debut in March of 2021.
Out with broken wrist
Royval suffered a fractured wrist and was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Amir Albazi at UFC Vegas 66 on Dec. 17, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Royval recently joined the card as a replacement fighter after Alex Perez (undisclosed) dropped out, but he'll now be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a broken wrist. It's unclear if Albazi will receive another opponent or if he'll also be dropped from the card.
Royval recently joined the card as a replacement fighter after Alex Perez (undisclosed) dropped out, but he'll now be sidelined for the foreseeable future with a broken wrist. It's unclear if Albazi will receive another opponent or if he'll also be dropped from the card.
Steps in for Perez against Albazi
Royval will step in to face Amir Albazi in a flyweight matchup at UFC Vegas 66 on Dec. 17, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Royval was set for a matchup of top contenders at UFC Vegas 62 against Askar Askarov, but the fight was scrapped on weigh-in day due to complications on Askarov's side. He'll now get a new opponent in Albazi, who was originally scheduled to fact Alex Perez at the Dec. 17 event. Albazi has started his UFC run with three consecutive victories -- two via submission -- and is going to get a big step up in competition here. Albazi has employed a wrestling-based approach so far, but he'll have to be careful going to the mat with Royval, who attempts 2.4 submissions per fight.
Royval was set for a matchup of top contenders at UFC Vegas 62 against Askar Askarov, but the fight was scrapped on weigh-in day due to complications on Askarov's side. He'll now get a new opponent in Albazi, who was originally scheduled to fact Alex Perez at the Dec. 17 event. Albazi has started his UFC run with three consecutive victories -- two via submission -- and is going to get a big step up in competition here. Albazi has employed a wrestling-based approach so far, but he'll have to be careful going to the mat with Royval, who attempts 2.4 submissions per fight.