The UFC flyweight division just got a seismic shake-up. With Manel Kape forced out of his UFC 317 title eliminator against Brandon Royval due to an undisclosed injury, surging prospect Joshua Van steps in on short notice. The stakes couldn’t be higher, for Van, it’s a rocket to the top after his electrifying TKO of Bruno Silva at UFC 316; for Royval, it’s a golden ticket back to the title picture, if he can halt Van’s momentum. The new matchup is a microcosm of the chaos and opportunity that define the flyweight landscape in 2025.
Manel Kape is OUT due to injury
Now Brandon Royval will take on Joshua Van at #UFC317
Per Brandon Royval pic.twitter.com/7QzBQfpaBQ
— The Fight Analyst (@GarrettKerman_) June 9, 2025
The Division’s Dark Horse Arrives
Joshua Van’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. At UFC 316, Van delivered his most emphatic statement yet, overwhelming the always-durable Bruno Silva with a relentless barrage of strikes to secure a third-round TKO. The 23-year-old’s performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Van dropped Silva multiple times with sharp counters, battered him with a piston jab, and showcased the kind of finishing instinct that has become his trademark. The stoppage, coming at 4:01 of the final round, marked Van’s fourth straight win and second finish of 2025, pushing his UFC record to a remarkable 7-1.
| #UFC316 | Joshua Van heeft een absoluut statement afgeleverd. De vechter uit Myanmar domineerde Bruno Silva volledig en wist uiteindelijk vlak voor het einde de Braziliaan te finishen.
Kijk live op HBO Max! pic.twitter.com/XhClHn9Mfi
— UFC op Eurosport (@UFCopEurosport) June 8, 2025
What makes Van’s ascent so compelling is not just the results, but the style. He’s fought eight times in two years, displaying an old-school willingness to stay active and take on all comers. Against Silva, Van’s speed, timing, and composure under fire were on full display. He weathered Silva’s early leg kicks, countered with precision, and never let the Brazilian settle into a rhythm. By the third round, the accumulation of damage was too much for Silva, who crumpled under another Van onslaught. It was a signature win that could not have come at a better time.
The original UFC 317 featured prelim between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape was widely viewed as a de facto title eliminator. Both men have been circling the championship for years, each boasting recent victories and highlight-reel moments. Kape, ranked #6 in the division, seemed poised to finally cash in on his potential after a string of impressive wins. But with Kape now sidelined by an undisclosed injury, the division’s plans have been thrown into disarray.
For Royval, the situation is especially fraught. He’s no stranger to last-minute changes, his own withdrawal from a previous Kape matchup earlier this year was due to multiple concussions, a decision he made for the sake of long-term health. Now, with Kape out, Royval is forced to adapt again, this time facing one of the division’s most dangerous and least predictable rising stars.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime for Both Fighters
This sudden matchup is a career-defining opportunity for Joshua Van. Just days removed from his biggest win, Van now gets a chance to leapfrog the rankings and potentially earn a title shot with a victory over the #1 contender. It’s a scenario few could have predicted, but one that rewards Van’s willingness to stay ready and active. A win over Royval would be the kind of catapult moment that transforms prospects into contenders overnight.
But the stakes are just as high for Brandon Royval. The 32-year-old “Raw Dawg” is coming off back-to-back split decision wins over elite competition, former champion Brandon Moreno and undefeated Tatsuro Taira, cementing his status as the division’s top challenger not named Alexandre Pantoja. Royval’s style is all-action, his resume is loaded with finishes, and his hunger for another crack at the title is palpable. If he can derail the Van hype train, he’ll have a compelling case for a third shot at Pantoja, despite two previous losses to the reigning champion.
With Alexandre Pantoja set to defend his belt against Kai Kara-France, the winner of Royval vs. Van could be next in line for a title shot, especially given the lack of fresh challengers in a division Pantoja has largely cleaned out. For Van, it’s a chance to complete a year-long transformation from prospect to title contender. For Royval, it’s about proving he’s still the division’s most dangerous threat and deserving of another championship opportunity.
Alexandre Pantoja will defend his flyweight title against Kai Kara-France at #UFC317 on June 28 in Las Vegas, Dana White announced.
This bout will serve as the co-main event. pic.twitter.com/0FHFFHNpnC
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 14, 2025
In a sport where opportunity knocks without warning, Joshua Van and Brandon Royval now stand at the threshold of greatness. The flyweight division’s future runs through this fight and the world will be watching.
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