Royval Secures Dramatic Submission Victory Over Kavanagh at UFC 329

In a pivotal flyweight contest at UFC 329Competition·UFC 329, Brandon RoyvalPlayer·Brandon Royval emerged victorious over Lone'er KavanaghPlayer·Lone'er Kavanagh, securing a dramatic third-round submission. The bout, held on July 11, 2026, at the T-Mobile ArenaVenue·T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, saw Royval overcome adversity to halt a two-fight losing streak and reassert his position among the division's elite.

Royval, known as "Raw Dawg," entered the octagon ranked fourth in the UFCCompetition·UFC flyweight division with a professional record of 17 wins and 9 losses. His aggressive style, characterized by relentless pressure and high-volume striking, was pitted against the rising British contender, Lone'er KavanaghPlayer·Lone'er Kavanagh, who held the sixth spot with a record of 10 wins and 1 loss. Kavanagh, primarily a kickboxer, relies on speed, distance management, and counter-striking. The stakes were high for both, with Royval aiming to rebound from recent setbacks and Kavanagh seeking to continue his rapid ascent.

From the opening bell, Royval initiated an aggressive pace, pressing Kavanagh backward and attempting to land his signature strikes. Kavanagh, however, appeared content to counter, responding with measured blows and seeking combinations. Midway through the first round, Royval caught a kick from Kavanagh, capitalizing on the opportunity to deliver several heavy strikes that led to a takedown. On the ground, Royval began to inflict damage with elbows.

The second round saw Royval continue to push forward, landing several effective lead straight punches. The momentum shifted dramatically when Kavanagh connected with a perfectly timed counter right hook, sending Royval to the canvas. The Irishman followed up with powerful ground and pound, including devastating elbows, forcing Royval into a survival mode. Despite the significant damage, Royval managed to regain his footing and even attempted another takedown before the round concluded.

In the decisive third round, Royval found his range, visibly shaking his opponent. He pressed for a finish, but Kavanagh retaliated, hurting the former flyweight title contender in a stand-up exchange. A subsequent wild exchange led to the fight returning to the ground, where Royval unleashed a series of punches and elbows. He then transitioned to an arm-triangle choke, putting Kavanagh in peril. Though Kavanagh managed to escape that hold, Royval swiftly took his back, securing a rear-naked choke. With no viable escape, Kavanagh was forced to tap out, handing Royval a hard-fought victory.

“I’m a madman, Joe Rogan,” Royval quipped after his victory. “Me and that kid deserve a bonus. That right there is a future champion. I’m a master of chaos. I wish I fought prettier, but I don’t do it that way. The submission opened up, and we’re going to get that bonus, right?”— Brandon Royval.

Royval's resilient performance earned him a $100,000 bonus for "Fight of the Night." This victory marks a significant turnaround for Royval, demonstrating his ability to overcome adversity and remain a formidable force in the flyweight division. For Kavanagh, despite the loss, his performance against a top-ranked opponent showcased his potential, and he remains a promising prospect in the category.