Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van prediction, pick, start time for UFC 317
Brandon Royval and Joshua Van meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 5-1
UFC main cards, 2025: 62-45-1
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van UFC 317 preview
Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) enters on the heels of back-to-back split decision victories over Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira. His last loss came in a unanimous decision loss against the current champ Alexandre Pantoja, who will aim to defend his crown in the fight after. With No. 1 contender stakes, Royval could land a rematch if Pantoja gets through Kai Kara-France. ... Van (14-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has been on a tear, and an active one at that. This fight will be his third appearance of 2025. He's currently on a four-fight winning streak, coming off a third-round finish of Bruno Silva earlier this month at UFC 316.
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van UFC 317 expert pick, prediction
Filling out the paid portion of the card is an impromptu bantamweight affair between Brandon Royval and Joshua Van.
Despite fighting just a few events ago, Van finds himself on a wicked turnaround with a new contract in tow thanks to flyweight's newest cursed fighter, Manel Kape, being forced to withdraw from yet another contest.
Royval, who is not beyond his own bad luck and in injury struggles, is reportedly coming off a layoff where he was struggling with concussion issues.
Given my experience with concussions, I can tell you that they're no laughing matter. That said, if Royval was able to make a solid recovery, then I have a hard time not leaning toward him here.
As someone who featured Van in my prospects to watch column prior to his arrival in the UFC, it's safe to say that I'm a big fan of Myanmar native's style and story.
However, Van hasn't faced many experienced southpaws in his young career and has shown to struggle a bit with the archetype in his last loss to Charles Johnson. Van also likes to tempt fate with an insanely active schedule – something that we've seen have hard ceilings in both Donald Cerrone and Kevin Holland's career.
This fight should be entertaining regardless of who wins, but I'll side with the more proven product in Royval to either find a finish in the second frame or secure a win on the scorecards.
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van UFC 317 odds
The oddsmakers and the public slightly favor the younger fighter, listing Van -140 and Royval +110 via FanDuel.
Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van UFC 317 start time, how to watch
Royval and Van are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 11:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
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