Royval to serve as backup for Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape fight

Brandon Royval has been named the backup fighter for the flyweight bout between Joshua Van and Manel Kape. He will stay on standby and step in if either man is unable to compete.

The selection carries some history. Kape's most recent win over Royval came by first-round KO/TKO at a UFC Fight Night on December 13, 2025, according to AgentMMA records. Royval would be stepping in behind the man who stopped him in their last recorded meeting.

Van, 25, is the reigning flyweight champion with an 18-2 record. The Myanmar native, who trains at 4oz. Fight Club, has won his last three recorded fights, all title bouts: a first-round KO/TKO of Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, a fifth-round KO/TKO of Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, and a unanimous decision over Pantoja in their rematch at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026. The orthodox fighter lands 8.26 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy.

Kape, 32, is ranked second at flyweight and carries a 23-7 record. The Angolan southpaw, who trains at Xtreme Couture, is also on a three-fight winning streak in AgentMMA's records, all by KO/TKO. His most recent recorded fight was a third-round stoppage of Kyoji Horiguchi on June 20, 2026. He lands 4.68 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.

Why it matters

• The champion and challenger are the same height at five-foot-five, but Kape holds a three-inch reach advantage, 68 inches to 65.
• Van's striking output is well ahead on paper: 8.26 significant strikes per minute against Kape's 4.68, a gap of 3.58.
• Kape's three recorded wins have all ended inside the distance, while Van's last two title defenses went to the later rounds, one ending in a fifth-round stoppage and one going the full five.
• Royval, as a backup, gives the UFC a replacement who already has recent experience against one of the two principals.