Brandon Royval

Brandon "Raw Dawg" Royval is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division of the UFC, and a former UFC flyweight title challenger.

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Royval began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai as a teenager, eventually turning professional after compiling a perfect amateur record. For years he balanced his fighting career with full-time work as a youth corrections officer at a Denver juvenile facility, an experience he has credited with shaping his desire to give back to his community. He rose through the regional ranks with the Legacy Fighting Alliance, capturing the promotion's flyweight championship with a 23-second armbar finish of Nate Williams, a performance that helped earn him a contract with the UFC.

Royval trains out of Factory X Muay Thai in Englewood, Colorado, under head coach Marc Montoya, and holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a credential he has put to use as a jiu-jitsu instructor at his home gym. That grappling foundation, paired with heavy hands and a willingness to scramble through danger, defines his approach in the cage. Royval is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and exciting finishers in the flyweight division, capable of ending a fight from virtually any position with armbars, guillotines, triangles, or fight-changing strikes.

Since debuting in the UFC in 2020 with a Fight of the Night victory over Tim Elliott, Royval has built a resume defined by high-output, high-finish-rate performances, including a Fight of the Night win over Kai Kara-France and a Performance of the Night knockout of Matheus Nicolau. He challenged Alexandre Pantoja

Stats last updated: August 18, 2026