The No. 1 ranked fighter in the UFC’s flyweight division saw his initial UFC Atlanta opponent fall off the June 14th fight card, only to pick up a surprise short-notice replacement who is coming off a big win at UFC 316.
On Monday, Brandon Royval announced that his UFC 317 fight against the No. 6 ranked Manel Kape was off. The No. 1 ranked UFC flyweight also announced that his replacement opponent would be Joshua Van, who entered UFC 316 as the No. 14 ranked 125-pound contender. Van knocked out the No. 12 ranked Bruno Silva at the top of the UFC 316 preliminary card. Van is likely to jump in the rankings, thanks to that victory.
UFC 317: Brandon Royval Vs. Manel Kape Is Off
“With great regret, I come to inform that I am out of the next #UFC317 competition.
“I suffered a foot fracture during the training &, after medical evaluation, I was instructed to have surgery & focus 100% on recovery.
“It’s not easy to stay out of something I’ve been preparing for with so much dedication, and without a doubt this would be the most advantageous fight of my career but I understand that this is just another challenge on the way and I trust the plans that Allah has for me!
“I sincerely thank everyone who is with me – we remain firm, stronger with each obstacle. The battle was only postponed… I’ll be back soon!” Kape wrote on X.
Kape and Royval were scheduled to meet in March 2025, but Royval withdrew from that fight due to concussions. Kape stayed on the card, beating Asu Almabayev by TKO. The win was Kape’s second straight TKO win and improved his record to 6-1 dating back to August 2021.
“Manel Kape is out, Joshua Van is stepping in,” Royval said on Instagram. “I have zero idea of the extent of Manel Kape’s injuries but I do know I have the hottest prospect and probably the most exciting UFC flyweight in front of me. Really nothing changes for me as far as what’s in front of me. I’ve got a gangster that’s ready to take my head off and earn his name off of me.”
Van confirmed Royval’s statement, saying on X, “I’ll be fighting Royval June 28!!!”
Royval last fought in October 2024 when he scored a split decision win over Tatsuro Taira in a “Fight of the Night” bonus-winning performance at the top of a UFC Vegas fight card.
The UFC has not officially announced the Royval vs. Van matchup for UFC 317.
UFC 317 Main Card
The UFC officially announced the five-fight line-up for UFC 317 during the UFC 316 broadcast.
Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira – For vacant UFC lightweight title
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France – For Pantoja’s UFC flyweight title
Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov – Middleweight
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano – Lightweight
Jhonata Diniz vs. Justin Tafa – Heavyweight
We will have more on the UFC 317 fight card as fight night approaches. UFC 317 takes place on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
