Royval Waits as Backup for Van-Kape UFC 336 Title Fight
Brandon Royval is set as the contingency fighter should Joshua Van or Manel Kape withdraw from the Toronto flyweight title bout.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Brandon Royval has been named backup for the UFC 336 flyweight championship fight between Joshua Van and Manel Kape in Toronto on January 30, 2027. Royval would step in if Van or Kape is affected by an issue during fight week.
Why it matters
The arrangement gives the flyweight division a ready replacement if the title bout falls through, after Kape's title push has been repeatedly stalled by injuries and cancellations. Van's third planned defense would extend his reign at the top of the division.
Van is set for his third flyweight title defense after two successful defenses this year, while Royval's only title opportunity came against Pantoja three years ago. Whether Royval's backup role will be activated remains unknown until fight week.
The players
Joshua Van
Joshua Van is the reigning UFC flyweight champion defending his title against Manel Kape at UFC 336.
Manel Kape
Manel Kape is the challenger for the UFC 336 flyweight title, whose title push has been stalled numerous times by injuries and fight cancellations.
Brandon Royval
Brandon Royval is a UFC flyweight contender serving as the backup fighter for the UFC 336 title fight.
The details
Royval is designated as the contingency fighter should Van or Kape withdraw from the UFC 336 headliner. Van won the belt after an injury to Alexandre Pantoja, and knocked out Tatsuro Taira earlier in the year before defeating Pantoja in their September rematch at UFC 331.
Timeline
December 2025: Royval knocked out Kape inside the Octagon.
July 2026: Royval submitted Lone'er Kavanagh at UFC 329.
September 2026: Van defeated Pantoja at UFC 331.
January 30, 2027: UFC 336 title fight takes place in Toronto.
Season Trajectory
Van took the flyweight belt after Alexandre Pantoja's injury and has since built a reign through a knockout of Tatsuro Taira and a rematch win over Pantoja at UFC 331. The UFC 336 bout would extend that run to a third defense, with Royval positioned as the contingency challenger.
Fantasy and betting readers should track fight-week news, since a Van or Kape withdrawal would immediately bring Royval into the headliner. The contingency plan means the card's main event could change with little notice.
The takeaway
Backup plans in combat sports can quickly reshape a headline event, so fans should watch fight-week announcements closely. Royval's readiness offers a safeguard for the title bout's scheduled date.
What happens next
UFC 336 takes place in Toronto on January 30, 2027, when the Van-Kape flyweight title fight is scheduled to be contested.
Further reading
For more on the sport's title picture, see Mixed Martial Arts.
