In a bout that lived up to the hype and is already being discussed as a potential “Fight of the Year,” Joshua Van secured a significant victory over Brandon Royval at UFC 317. The win not only extended Van`s impressive streak but also strongly positions him for a potential future title shot.
Competing on short notice just three weeks removed from his previous fight, Van delivered a remarkable performance across three rounds. The flyweight contest was a high-octane war with both fighters aggressively pursuing a finish. However, throughout the intense exchanges, it was Van who consistently landed the more impactful and damaging blows.
The fight reached a dramatic conclusion late in the third round. Van connected with a devastating right hook that sent Royval crashing to the canvas. Van immediately followed up, attempting to finish the fight with ground and pound, but the final horn sounded just moments before he could secure the stoppage.
Despite the near-finish, Van`s dominant moments and overall striking advantage sealed the win on the judges` scorecards, reading 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 in his favor. At just 23 years old, the fighter hailing from Myanmar has emphatically cemented his status as a top contender, graduating from prospect to a potential number one challenger in the division.
“We know Royval`s a tough guy,” Van commented after the fight, acknowledging the nature of the battle. “We knew we were in for a war. I wanted to get the finish. Like they say, the Diaz brothers never lost a fight, they just ran out of time, so that`s what you see. We always know what we got, it`s just time to show the world.”
This victory represented a significant step up in competition for Van against a proven veteran like Brandon Royval.
Early in the contest, Royval attempted to utilize his reach and distance control with a consistent jab and various kicks. However, when Royval pressed forward aggressively, Van was quick to counter, landing a sharp left hand followed by a clean straight right.
Royval kept a high output with flicking strikes, but Van`s responses carried noticeable power and force. His right hook, in particular, proved to be a potent weapon that Royval struggled to avoid as the rounds progressed.
The second round saw Royval start aggressively, landing his best punch of the fight with a straight left that visibly staggered Van. Royval quickly followed up with a sharp left-right combination that demanded Van`s immediate attention.
Van welcomed the ensuing exchanges, but Royval`s power on the feet began to have a more pronounced effect. Another straight left from Royval snapped Van`s head back, highlighting the fierce, back-and-forth striking battle unfolding.
However, just as it seemed Royval might be seizing momentum, Van unleashed a heavy multi-punch combination that landed flush on the former title challenger, shifting the dynamics once again.
The final round began with Royval pushing a relentless pace, throwing rapid-fire punches, which Van answered with powerful strikes of his own. Despite Royval`s volume, Van managed to land a staggering combination that forced his opponent to briefly reset.
Royval continued to move forward, but Van was ready, meeting him with a stiff right hand and following it with a sharp left hook. In the frantic closing seconds, both fighters traded bombs, but it was Van who connected with the fight-altering right hook that sent Royval crashing to the mat.
Van followed up with ground strikes as the clock ticked down. Royval survived to the final horn, appearing somewhat disoriented, perhaps believing the fight had been stopped. Ultimately, the decision went to Van, securing his fifth consecutive win and putting him in prime position to challenge the winner of the UFC 317 co-main event between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France.
Van wasted no time making his intentions clear regarding a potential title shot. “The winner of the title fight tonight, they gonna have to see me,” Van stated confidently. “Dana White, if you give me a chance to face off with them, I`m here.”
