Brandon Royval thinks UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno would be an overall tougher challenge than Alexandre Pantoja.
Royval (15-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is expected to be the backup for the flyweight title fight between Moreno and Pantoja, which co-headlines UFC 290 on July 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Royval’s lone octagon losses have come in back-to-back stoppages to Moreno (21-6-2 MMA, 9-3-2 UFC) and Pantoja (25-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC). He rates both men’s skills highly but sees more ways for Moreno to win.
“Those guys are both tough,” Royval told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think the more well rounded and the one with a lot more utensils and tools in his tool shed is Brandon Moreno, for sure. I think he has a lot more he can rely on.”
Pantoja submitted Royval in the second round of their fight in 2021 and went on to submit former title challenger Alex Perez, which earned him a title shot. But with Pantoja about to experience championship rounds for the first time in his UFC career, Royval gives Moreno the edge.
“I think Pantoja is dangerous, and I think he’s tough as f*ck,” Royval added. “He goes out there and brings a fight, and it’s like if you can endure that – not many people have, but if you can endure it, then maybe you can walk away with the win, especially in a five-round fight. But I think Brandon Moreno is the more well rounded fighter with more tools in his toolbox.”
Since losing to Moreno and Pantoja, Royval has won three straight – most recently a first-round Performance of the Night knockout of Matheus Nicolau at UFC on ESPN 44 in April.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.
