Latest news with #BrandonRoyval
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317
Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 317 Brandon Royval and Manel Kape will square off in a potential title eliminator at UFC 317. Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape preview After their main event booking for UFC Fight Night 253 fell apart due to a Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) injury, the fight now comes together again on the main card of UFC 317. Kape (21-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) remained in the headlining slot in March and faced replacement opponent Asu Almabayev. "Starboy" won the fight by third-round stoppage to record back-to-back wins. Kape has also won 6 of his last seven. Since falling short in his title opportunity against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296, Royval rebounded with back-to-back split decision wins over former champion Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira at UFC Fight Night 244. Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape odds According to DraftKings, Kape is a larger favorite than the previous booking for UFC Fight Night 253. Kape is now a sizable -298 favorite, when he was just -198. Royval is now a +240 underdog, who was previously listed at +164 going into the March booking. How to watch Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape at UFC 317
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 254's Alexander Hernandez will 'show up or shut up' in 2025
LAS VEGAS – Alexander Hernandez expects 2025 to be a pivotal year for him and his career. A polarizing figure who has been through ups and downs since he burst onto the UFC scene in 2018, Hernandez (15-8 MMA, 7-7 UFC) hopes consistency and frequency lead to opportunity. 'I would love an active year but that's also going to fall on my shoulders of just getting some f*cking some consistent dubs for once,' Hernandez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a news conference Wednesday. 'If we can do that, then yeah, we can have the year we want. That's what I'm looking to do: show out or shut up.' Hernandez, 32, returns Saturday at UFC Fight Night 254 (ESPN+) against 'TUF 31' winner Kurt Holobaugh (22-8 MMA, 2-5 UFC). The lightweight bout takes place on the main card. 'I like the offer,' Hernandez said. 'It's a pretty familiar form. He's more unique than the other guys, but familiar. I like the odds of that kind of matchup.' A longtime member of Factory X, Hernandez has done a couple of training camps as part of a newly-formed faction, working out of UFC Gym Lone Tree in Lone Tree, Colo. The exact reason for his departure from his former gym is unclear, but teammates Brandon Royval and Luis Gurule are among those who went with him. Hernandez said some of his flaws have been improved since the switch. 'We're in a really cool fold right now,' Hernandez said. 'Me, Brandon Royval, and Clay Matza started our own group. We still kind of have an anonymous name right now with the boys. We've got great energy. We have about three other cats in there with us. We've just been really focusing on each other and specifically what we need to win a specific fight and then just also our specific growth. I feel like it's really made a great turn. 'I've also had the fortune of working with Pastor Trevor Whittman a couple times a week. A few hours with thqt guy makes a world of difference. I really feel like I've been able to evolve significantly in the last six months and still find growth at this stage – and a lot of enthusiasm. That's just kind of the nature of it. If you can be enthusiastic about what you're doing, then you can find growth. That's where I'm at.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
USA Today
26-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Manel Kape: '100 percent I'm getting my title shot' with win at UFC Fight Night 253
LAS VEGAS – Manel Kape is convinced he's getting the next crack at the UFC flyweight title – even though he's no longer fighting the No. 1 contender in the division. Kape (20-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) returns to the cage this Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 253, which takes place at the UFC Apex. He was supposed to fight top contender and former title challenger Brandon Royval, but due to injury, he's now taking on replacement Asu Almabayev. Despite the switch up, Kape is expecting to get a fight with champion Alexandre Pantoja, should he get a win over Almabayev (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC). 'Of course,' Kape said when asked if he still sees his fight as a title eliminator, speaking to reporters at Wednesday's media day. 'Brandon pulled out. Winning against Brandon Royval, I would've been the No. 1 in the ranking. It's not my fault. I'm here doing my job. 'And again, Deiveson Figueiredo pulled out, Alex Perez pulled out, Kai Kara-France pulled out, all these fighters been pulling out. I've been doing my work. So after Asu, 100 percent I'm getting my title shot.' As far as the change goes, Kape is not concerned with getting an opponent switch, technically speaking. Although that can throw off a lot of fighters, Kape sees it as an opportunity to cause even more damage than he originally planned for. 'I was supposed to fight Brandon Royval, he's a taller guy,' Kape explained. 'I was expecting to work him a lot on the body, the body shots, so I don't have to reach too much his head. Asu is more short guy, so his head is going to be there and is a target. His chin is going to be there. His nose is going to be there, so I believe there's going to be bad blood. His face is going to be a bunch of blood on Saturday night. He's short, and he's a good target for myself.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 253.
