Brandon Royval shared the intense emotions he experienced leading up to his UFC debut fight against Tim Elliott in 2020, revealing the mental battle he faced before stepping into the octagon. His Brandon Royval UFC debut emotions highlight the blend of respect, pressure, and anxiety that surrounded his first major promotional bout.
Reflecting on the Challenges of His UFC Debut
Royval’s intro fight took place at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns, where he faced Tim Elliott, a seasoned opponent known for his awkward fighting style and relentless pace. Despite having only a week to prepare, Royval committed himself fully to the contest, aiming to give everything in the fight. He explained his mindset before the bout, acknowledging the challenge Elliott posed and how the fight felt like both a test and a defining moment in his career.
“I had a week to prepare. The game plan was just to go out there and give him hell the whole entire fight. I remember walking out there, and I was like, I’m gonna give it my all. I’m gonna try and win this fight with everything I have, but I thought so highly of Tim Elliot. Just super awkward style. He was going to push a pace. He’s going to bring it. And, were just being 100% honest, I felt like that was my fight to lose, but it was my end to the UFC.”
—Brandon Royval
Royval also contrasted his anxiety with Elliott’s calmness inside the cage, noting how Elliott seemed completely at ease while he struggled to remain focused. Standing near UFC president Dana White, Royval intentionally avoided looking at his opponent to maintain concentration during the fight.
“He was like dancing across the ring. He looked so comfortable, and I remember I was standing on the side where Dana White was, and I just did not want to look at him. I was just trying to stay locked in, but I remember he looked so comfortable, and I just did not feel that at all.”
—Brandon Royval
Victory and Mixed Feelings After the Fight
Royval secured the win by submission in the second round, marking an impressive promotional debut that earned him Fight of the Night honors and a $50,000 bonus. Despite the positive outcome, he admitted his win came largely by capitalizing on Elliott’s mistakes rather than dominating the fight outright.
“I was happy I won the fight, but I was so mad. I was just capitalizing on mistakes he made instead of doing anything good.”
—Brandon Royval
Upcoming Opponent and Fight Preview
Looking ahead, Royval is set to compete this weekend at UFC 317 against Joshua Van, who stepped in on short notice after Manel Kape withdrew due to a foot injury sustained during training. As the No. 1 ranked flyweight contender, Royval faces a crucial opportunity to advance his standing in the division with this matchup.
This fight will test Royval’s growth since his UFC debut and demonstrate whether his intense focus and preparation can translate into continued success against new challengers. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating how Royval will perform against Van after overcoming challenges in his earliest bout.