Brandon “Raw Dawg” Royval is an American professional mixed martial artist known for his relentless pace, exciting submission game, and willingness to engage in chaotic fights. Competing in the UFC’s flyweight division, Royval has built a reputation as one of the promotion’s most entertaining fighters, regularly earning post-fight bonuses and delivering memorable performances against the division’s elite.
As of 2026, Royval owns a professional MMA record of 17-9 and has defeated top contenders including Brandon Moreno, Tatsuro Taira, Kai Kara-France, Matheus Nicolau, Matt Schnell, and Tim Elliott. A former LFA Flyweight Champion, Royval has challenged for UFC gold and remains one of the top-ranked flyweights in the world.
Brandon Royval Fighter Information
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brandon Matthew Royval |
| Nickname | Raw Dawg |
| Born | August 16, 1992 |
| Birthplace | Denver, Colorado, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Reach | 68 in (173 cm) |
| Division | Flyweight |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Team | Factory X Muay Thai |
| Record | 17-9 |
| Former Titles | LFA Flyweight Champion |
| @broyval |
What Is Brandon Royval Known For?
Royval is best known for five things:
- His aggressive, high-paced fighting style.
- His dangerous submission game.
- Competing in multiple UFC Fight of the Night classics.
- Challenging for the UFC Flyweight Championship.
- Never backing down from elite competition.
Unlike many technical flyweights, Royval thrives in unpredictable exchanges. He constantly pushes the pace, attacks with submissions, and forces opponents into uncomfortable situations. As a result, many fans consider him one of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster.
Why Is Brandon Royval Called “Raw Dawg”?
The nickname “Raw Dawg” perfectly matches Royval’s personality and fighting style.
He competes with relentless aggression, embraces wild exchanges, and refuses to take a backward step. Moreover, Royval has never tried to create a polished public image. Instead, he lets his authentic personality and entertaining fights speak for themselves.
Today, “Raw Dawg” has become one of the most recognizable nicknames in the UFC flyweight division.
Brandon Royval’s Early Life
Royval was born and raised in Denver, Colorado.
He began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai at just 15 years old. From an early age, he developed a passion for martial arts and quickly realized he wanted to pursue fighting as a career.
Furthermore, Royval grew up alongside his older brother, Darian, who also trained in combat sports. Those early experiences helped shape the aggressive style that later became his trademark.
How Did Brandon Royval Get Into MMA?
Royval competed in his first amateur MMA bout at 18 years old.
He compiled an undefeated 5-0 amateur record before turning professional in 2012. Early in his career, he fought throughout Colorado and gradually built a reputation as one of the region’s most dangerous submission specialists.
Eventually, Royval joined Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he faced increasingly difficult competition while continuing to improve his all-around game.
Brandon Royval’s Journey to the UFC
Before signing with the UFC, Royval enjoyed tremendous success in LFA.
Although he fell short in his first attempt to win interim gold, he rebounded with impressive victories over Joby Sanchez and Nate Williams. In 2019, he captured the vacant LFA Flyweight Championship with a lightning-fast first-round armbar.
Soon afterward, the UFC signed him, giving Royval the opportunity to compete against the world’s best flyweights.
Brandon Royval’s UFC Career
Royval made an immediate impact after joining the UFC in 2020.
He submitted Tim Elliott in his debut before defeating Kai Kara-France in another Fight of the Night performance. Although he later suffered losses to Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja, he continued evolving into a legitimate title contender.
Afterward, Royval defeated Rogério Bontorin, Matt Schnell, Matheus Nicolau, Brandon Moreno in their rematch, and undefeated Japanese prospect Tatsuro Taira.
Those victories eventually earned him a UFC Flyweight Championship opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296. Although Royval lost the title fight by unanimous decision, he remained among the division’s elite contenders.
What Is Brandon Royval’s Fighting Style?
Royval is one of the UFC’s most creative submission artists.
Although he possesses dangerous striking, his greatest strength lies on the ground. He attacks constantly with guillotines, armbars, triangle chokes, and arm-triangle chokes while scrambling from almost every position.
In addition, Royval throws more than five significant strikes per minute and constantly pressures opponents with his high-volume offense.
Because of his unpredictable style, almost every Royval fight carries the potential for a dramatic finish.
What Has Brandon Royval Accomplished?
Royval has established himself as one of the UFC’s most accomplished flyweights.
His achievements include:
- Former LFA Flyweight Champion.
- UFC Flyweight title challenger.
- Five UFC Fight of the Night awards.
- UFC Performance of the Night winner.
- Most Fight of the Night bonuses in UFC flyweight history.
- Tied for the most post-fight bonuses in UFC flyweight history.
- Multiple UFC records for total strikes landed and attempted in flyweight competition.
Brandon Royval’s Life Outside the Octagon
Outside of fighting, Royval remains closely connected to his roots in Colorado.
Before becoming a full-time UFC athlete, he worked in the juvenile justice system while also teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Factory X. However, after defeating Kai Kara-France in 2020, he left his day job to focus entirely on his MMA career.
Today, Royval continues training at Factory X while remaining one of the UFC’s most respected flyweights.
Why Brandon Royval Stands Out
Few flyweights consistently produce exciting fights quite like Brandon Royval.
Throughout his career, he has challenged champions, defeated elite contenders, captured the LFA Flyweight Championship, and earned a reputation as one of the UFC’s most entertaining athletes. Even in defeat, Royval continues to push the pace and deliver memorable performances that fans remember long after the final bell.
With his aggressive style, elite submission skills, and fearless mentality, “Raw Dawg” remains one of the most dangerous and exciting fighters in the flyweight division.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Brandon Royval?
Brandon Royval is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC flyweight division. He is a former LFA Flyweight Champion and a former UFC flyweight title challenger.
Why is Brandon Royval called “Raw Dawg”?
Royval’s nickname reflects his aggressive fighting style, authentic personality, and willingness to engage in exciting, fast-paced fights.
Has Brandon Royval fought for a UFC title?
Yes. Royval challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 296 in December 2023.
