Brandon Royval

Royval was finished in the first round of a main event he headlined. Kape lunged in with a right hand that dropped him and swarmed for the finish; the stoppage at 3:18 dropped Royval to a two-fight skid, though he protested the wave-off.

Key moments

• A lunging Kape right hand dropped Royval.
• Follow-up barrage on the canvas.
• Referee stoppage at 3:18 of round one.
• Royval disputed the stoppage.

A 15-minute all-action war widely called a Fight-of-the-Year contender — the first UFC bout in which both fighters landed 200+ significant strikes. Van took the unanimous decision and the No. 1 contender slot; Royval reportedly earned double pay for the loss.

Key moments

• Non-stop stand-up exchanges with no lulls.
• Both men passed 200 significant strikes — a UFC first.
• Van's pace edged the cards.
• Fight-of-the-Night honours.

Royval upset the undefeated Tatsuro Taira in a five-round main event, handing Taira his first pro loss. He survived six takedowns and long stretches of control to out-strike Taira on the feet for a split nod.

Key moments

• Survived six takedowns and 12+ minutes of control.
• Out-struck Taira in the stand-up.
• Handed Taira his first professional loss.
• Split decision and Fight of the Night.

Avenging a 2020 first-round loss, Royval edged former champion Brandon Moreno in hostile Mexico City — the biggest win of his career. Moreno landed the heavier single shots; Royval's volume and a late surge carried the close rounds.

Key moments

• Managed a left-knee issue between rounds.
• Moreno's heavier shots vs Royval's higher volume.
• Royval surged late.
• Split nod set up a title rematch.

Royval's flyweight title challenge — their second meeting after Pantoja submitted him in 2021. Pantoja's grappling and pressure controlled the key rounds over 25 minutes to retain the belt by unanimous decision.

Key moments

• A 25-minute championship pace.
• Pantoja's grappling controlled key rounds.
• Their second meeting overall.
• Unanimous decision retained the title.