​LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 27: Brandon Royval makes his entrance on stage during the UFC 317 ceremonial weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on June 27, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Royval, known by fans as “Raw Dawg,” is entering UFC 329 with added motivation. The former UFC Flyweight title challenger is slated to clash with the surging 125-pound contender Lone’er Kavanagh on the main card inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and Royval says this matchup has been on his radar for some time.
During UFC 329 media day, Royval disclosed that he sensed a crosshairs-type setup for his next opponent as soon as Kavanagh defeated former two-time Flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico City. “I could see it coming,” Royval told the media. “As soon as that fight was over, I was sure they were going to present it to me. I knew we were fighting literally the next day after his win over Moreno, so yeah, they made that fight quick.”
Royval is coming off back-to-back losses for only the second time in his pro career and is determined to rebound in a big way. But for him, this bout carries more weight than most. He describes the clash not as just another fight, but a personal stake in the outcome.
Royval believes UFC is attempting to move him out of the Top 5 in the Flyweight rankings by matching him with a dangerous, rising contender like Kavanagh. “I’ve always been this way, but this is personal,” Royval said. “This is someone trying to take my spot. I’ve been in the Top 5 in this division for like four to five years — I don’t know, but most of my UFC career I’ve been in the Top 5 — and I take it personally that they are trying to push me out. It’s my job to make a statement and stay in there.”
From a matchmaking perspective, the fight makes sense on paper. Kavanagh arrives at UFC 329 riding a dominant streak after overwhelming Moreno, while Royval remains one of the most proven and entertaining Flyweights in the world. It’s the kind of contest that can protect a high-ranking fighter in one sense while potentially launching a rival upward in another. It’s also essentially a guarantee of high-octane action.
Royval understands exactly why the UFC booked this pairing. “They made this fight because it’s exciting, and that is what is going to happen — there’s a reason they booked this fight so far out and right after he won,” Royval explained. “This is an exciting fight to make, and this is what they want. It’s why I get paid, why I’m here. The opportunity is to fill my pocket full of cash, make a statement, and put on another high-level, exciting fight.” That sentiment echoes his track record: win or lose, “Raw Dawg” has long been one of the most reliable action fighters in the Flyweight division.
But at UFC 329, the stakes are higher than sheer entertainment. Royval is not only fighting to entertain the crowd; he’s fighting to preserve his place in the rankings, to prove that he remains one of the division’s elite, and to silence any doubters who think the sport’s politics might sideline him. The clash with Kavanagh is a test of resilience, skill, and heart for a veteran who has spent years delivering adrenaline-pumping performances.
As UFC 329 approaches, fans can anticipate a bout that embodies the essence of Royval’s career: relentless pressure, speed, and a willingness to leave it all in the cage. The stakes are clear, the momentum is with Kavanagh, but Royval’s track record suggests that he isn’t done writing the next chapter of his flyweight saga. This is more than a fight; it’s Royval’s opportunity to reaffirm his standing, to prove he remains among the division’s best, and to showcase why he’s earnestly nicknamed “Raw Dawg.” For more UFC 329 updates, including results and in-depth coverage, head to our event archive and stay tuned for the latest news surrounding “McGregor vs. Holloway 2” and the rest of the card.