Brazilian's UFC tormentor accepts last-minute fight to determine next challenger for flyweight title

Alexandre pantoja comes from victory against Kai Asakura. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg) of the world's biggest MMA event may be undergoing a significant change. According to Brandon royval, first place in the division, Manel kape is out of UFC 317 and will be replaced by the young man Joshua Van, that knocked out Bruno Bulldoguinho in the last fight of the preliminary card of the event last Saturday (7). The meeting between the two will take place on the 28th of this month.

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The announcement was made first-hand by the fighter in a video published on social media on Monday afternoon (9). He was unable to provide details of the Portuguese fighter's apparent injury, but said he was happy with the choice of his new opponent.

“I have no idea how serious the injury is. Manel kape, but I know I'm going to face the most interesting prospect at the moment. It doesn't change anything for me when it comes to having a gangster on the other side of the octagon wanting to rip my head off. I'm happy for the match and to be part of what is, in my opinion, the most interesting fight in the flyweight division and to be on the same card as Pantoja and Kai-Kara France,” said the athlete.

Brandon royval reveals that Manel kape is OUT of their fight at #UFC317 and Joshua Van will be stepping in on short notice

@brandonroyval #UFC317 pic.twitter.com/CUISYpgH29

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 9, 2025

Brandon Royval and Joshua Van are big names in the UFC

Alexandre pantoja (right) and Brandon royval (left) fighting in UFC 296. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter

Royval and Pantoja have faced each other on two occasions, with the Brazilian coming out on top in both duels. The last confrontation posed a very big challenge for the king of the category, in December 2023. Since then, the American has won two consecutive matches against Brandon Moreno e Tatsuro Taira.

Van, who is only 23 years old, is having a great time in his career. In eight appearances at the biggest MMA event in the world, he has seven wins and only one loss.