​UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval has named his next opponent after his stunning performance on the UFC 329 main card, where he delivered a dramatic victory that solidified his place among the top contenders in the division. Royval faced Lone’er Kavanagh, a highly touted young prospect, and secured a third-round submission in what many observers dubbed the Fight of the Night. The victory reinforced Royval’s status as one of the elite flyweights in the sport, maintaining his position in the top five and setting the stage for another high-stakes matchup.
Following UFC 329, Royval, ranked No. 4 in the UFC flyweight rankings, publicly called out Asu Almabayev, who sits at No. 6. In comments captured by MMA Junkie, Royval made a clear case for a bout with Almabayev, praising him as a formidable opponent and expressing his desire for a shot at the top contender. “Asu Almabayev, let’s go, baby. You’re the best, you’re awesome. I just want a shot at you because you’re great,” Royval said. Almabayev has rattled off three straight wins and holds an overall UFC record of 7-1, with his sole defeat coming against Manel Kape—who, incidentally, finished Royval in their last meeting—making the proposed matchup appear highly logical and mutually beneficial for both fighters.
Royval emphasized that his immediate goal is to stay active, noting that he has only fought once so far in the year, after maintaining at least two appearances per year for the previous four campaigns. “I just want to stay busy, but I’m also a title contender. I’m a title-worthy fighter, so I’m glad I could finally show it. I’m glad I could finally get a finish. It’s been a minute since I got a finish, and before I got to the UFC, I was 100 percent finish rate,” he remarked, underscoring his readiness to capitalize on his momentum and prove himself as a top threat in the 125-pound division.
Media members also pressed Royval for reflections on the back-and-forth battle with Kavanagh. Royval described a fight filled with ups and downs, first noting that he believed he had control in the opening round, where he dictated the pace with precise striking and distance management while landing key takedowns—an area he doesn’t often showcase. He recalled that he felt he was outboxing Kavanagh, and he was happy with his jab and overall performance in the first round, even as the moment-to-moment details of the second round were less clear to him, given the chaos that ensued.
In the second round, Kavanagh delivered a powerful punch that dropped Royval and threatened a finish, but the resilient contender recovered and pushed the fight into the third, a round in which Royval has demonstrated exceptional cardio and endurance at 125 pounds. “I think I’ll have to review the fight to break it down properly, but I’d say the third round, and perhaps the entire effort as a whole, deserves consideration—top five, maybe top three moments in terms of significance and impact,” Royval admitted.
As for his own path forward, Royval’s next steps will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The proposed match with Almabayev represents a compelling clash of two rising stars who could help shape the rankings and set the stage for future title implications. The fighter who emerges victorious could position themselves as a credible challenger to the current champion, while also signaling the depth and competitiveness of the flyweight division.
Royval’s willingness to remain active signals that he intends to keep building momentum toward another title run. His rapid ascent, combined with his finishing prowess and proven ability to endure through adversity, makes him a persuasive draw for fans and a difficult matchup for anyone in the division. The next fight, whether it comes against Almabayev or another top-tier flyweight, will be a critical step in determining who rises to challenge for the belt in the near term.
Overall, the UFC 329 victory extended Royval’s impressive trajectory and laid the groundwork for a potential clash with Almabayev that could become a defining moment in the flyweight landscape. As Royval continues to pursue high-stakes bouts and maintain an active schedule, fans can expect to see a continuation of his dynamic, cardio-rich fighting style and a continued push toward a second title opportunity in the 125-pound division.