Brandon Royval Submits Loneer Kavanagh at UFC 329

Royval Ends Losing Streak with Late Choke

The veteran flyweight finally snapped a pair of defeats with a rear‑naked choke at 1:20 of the third round, ending a rough stretch that included losses to Tatsuro Taira and Manel Kape. Royval, who praised Kavanagh as a “future champion” after the fight, also asked for a bonus for both fighters. He described himself as a “master of chaos,” a label that fits his chaotic three‑round battle.

The first round was competitive, with Royval securing wins on all three judges’ scorecards. The second round turned ugly when Kavanagh landed a hard right counter that had Royval stumbling. Royval managed to get back up, showing the resilience that has become a hallmark of his career.

Heading into the final round, Royval was already wobbling but managed to inflict enough damage to look like a winner on the scorecards. The choke turned the contest into a unanimous finish and guaranteed Royval a “Fight of the Year” nod from the World MMA Awards for his 2025 loss to Joshua Van.

Kavanagh’s Upset Turned Upside‑Down

Just months after a stunning win over Brandon Moreno, Kavanagh finds himself on the other side of a loss, having also dropped a fight to Charles Johnson earlier in the year. The 27‑year‑old is still in the early stages of his rise, but Saturday’s defeat underscores the volatility of the flyweight division. After claiming a major upset earlier, he now must regroup before he can be viewed as a true top‑contender.

Royval’s win also highlights how quickly fortunes can change in UFC competition, turning a former challenger into a gatekeeper once again.

Looking Ahead: Titles and Rematch Hopes

With back‑to‑back losses sidelining him from a title shot, Royval has publicly called out Asu Almabayev for a possible wild matchup. The duo’s potential fight could be a showcase of contrasting styles—one known for his chaotic brawling, the other for his striking precision. Such a bout would also serve as a stepping stone toward reigniting Royval’s title hopes.

For Kavanagh, the path back to contention will require learning from recent setbacks, tightening his ground game, and looking for another chance at a big win like the one over Moreno. The division is packed with talent, and only those who can recover from setbacks will survive.

Check out the full UFC 329 results, highlights, and round‑by‑round updates here.