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Joshua Van Steps Up to Face Brandon Royval at UFC 317
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In a significant shakeup to the UFC 317 fight card, Joshua Van, a rising star in the flyweight division, has agreed to face Brandon Royval on June 28, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas [1]. The 23-year-old Van steps in as a short-notice replacement after Royval’s original opponent was forced to withdraw due to injury, presenting Van with the biggest chance of his burgeoning career.
Van Seizes Opportunity at UFC 317
Brandon Royval was left without an opponent for UFC 317 after his scheduled competitor suffered a broken foot during training. Joshua Van, fresh off a TKO victory against Bruno Silva at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, accepted the challenge to fight Royval. This win propelled Van to the No. 10 spot in the UFC flyweight rankings .
Did You No? joshua Van’s four-fight winning streak includes a recent TKO victory over Bruno Silva at UFC 316.
Van’s ambitions and the Road to the Title
Following his impressive win at UFC 316, Joshua Van initially called out former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who currently holds the No. 2 ranking in the division. However, with the opportunity to face the No.1 contender in Royval, Van sees a clear path to a title shot.
“If I win this fight, I’m No. 1,” Van stated in an interview with Ariel Helwani.”If I beat the No. 1 guy,I’m the No.1 guy. So that’s what I’m thinking right now.”
Van acknowledged the short-notice nature of the fight, stating, “When they called me Sunday, it’s just an opportunity that I can’t say no. I told the media I want to fight as soon as possible, so the UFC gave me a matchup, and I have to say yes.”
UFC 317 Implications for the Flyweight Division
The timing of the Royval vs.Van fight adds another layer of intrigue to UFC 317. The event’s co-main event features a flyweight title bout between current champion Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France. The winner of Royval vs. Van could very well be next in line to challenge for the title.
Van shared his thoughts on the Pantoja vs. Kara-France matchup: “Kai is a very powerful guy. So I feel like if Kai doesn’t show him too much respect,I think he can get it done. But if Pantoja bullies him in there, it’s done. It’s over.”
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the UFC flyweight rankings after UFC 317, as the results could significantly impact the title picture.
Royval has a history with both potential titleholders. he faced Pantoja in a title fight in December 2023, losing by decision, and also in a non-title bout in August 2021, where Pantoja won by submission. Royval holds a September 2020 submission victory over Kara-France.
| Fighter | Record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | 16-7-0 | #1 |
| joshua Van | 10-1-0 | #10 |
| Alexandre Pantoja | 27-5-0 | Champion |
| Kai Kara-France | 24-11-0 | #3 |
Will Joshua Van’s momentum carry him to an upset victory over Brandon Royval?
How will the outcome of UFC 317 reshape the flyweight division’s title landscape?
The Rise of Flyweight MMA
Flyweight MMA has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with dynamic fighters and fast-paced action captivating audiences. The division is known for its technical striking, grappling exchanges, and high-energy performances. Fighters like Demetrious Johnson, Joseph Benavidez, and Brandon Moreno have helped elevate the division’s profile, paving the way for new
