​Brandon Royval and Lone’er Kavanagh collided earlier tonight, Saturday, July 11, 2026, at UFC 329, streaming live on Paramount+ from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. What began as a fast-paced, chaotic battle evolved into a dramatic five-round spectacle, but Royval showcased his championship-caliber grit by turning the tide late in the third round with a rear-naked choke that sealed the victory.
From the opening bell, Royval established superior range and control, using sharp jabs to keep Kavanagh at bay. Whenever the shorter challenger attempted kicks from distance, Royval wasted no time in stepping in to catch and counter, effectively neutralizing Kavanagh’s preferred striking approach. Royval’s length frustrated Kavanagh repeatedly, and he began to add a tactical element to his game with a well-timed takedown late in the first round, signaling Royval’s intent to mix it up on the ground. By the end of the second frame, Kavanagh found his back against the cage and seemed to be in trouble, but he adjusted admirably, weathering the storm and turning the tide with a handful of clean strikes of his own.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the middle of the fight when Kavanagh cracked a Royval straight, catching him with a powerful counter that sent Royval crashing to the canvas. The veteran Bellator-style resilience was on full display as Royval absorbed a brutal sequence of elbows while using his guard to recover, continuing to fight back through heavy adversity. Bloodied and battered, Royval staggered to his feet and took another hard elbow, yet he refused to wilt. He finished the round by applying relentless pressure and landing precision shots as Kavanagh showed signs of fatigue.
Royval’s performance in the third round illustrated why he is built for the most grueling, attritional wars inside the Octagon. He intensified his offense, applying sustained pressure and earning a takedown that gave him the opportunity to dictate the pace on the canvas. Once on the floor, Royval effectively turned the exchanges in his favor, delivering cutting elbows from top position. In a notable moment, Kavanagh attempted to escape by turning away to protect his neck, out of fear of an arm-triangle, but Royval capitalized and locked in a rear-naked choke. The hold proved inescapable, forcing Kavanagh to tap out as the submission secured the victory for Royval.
Video highlights of the bout captured the chaos and resilience that defined the matchup, showing Royval’s ability to weather a bruising onslaught and still come back with the decisive finish. Heading into UFC 329, Royval had dropped two straight fights—both to top-tier opponents in the flyweight division, including a title bout loss to champion Joshua Van and a high-stakes decision defeat to top contender Manel Kape. The performance against Kavanagh served as a resounding reminder that Royval remains a genuine Top Five flyweight, capable of shining against elite competition.
In the wake of the win, Royval called out rising contender Asu Almabayev, signaling his continued quest for another title shot. The victory not only steadied Royval’s trajectory in a crowded flyweight division but also reminded the world that “Raw Dog” remains dangerous, unpredictable, and very much in the championship conversation.
For more UFC 329 results, coverage, and highlights, stay tuned to our ongoing coverage and video recaps. This win adds a crucial notch to Royval’s resume and reinforces his status as a formidable force in the flyweight ranks, keeping fan interest high as he pursues another title opportunity.