UFC 317 is officially in the books — and what a night it was. Alexandre Pantoja further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest flyweights of all time, expertly dismantling Kai Kara-France before securing a submission victory in the third round. In the main event, Ilia Topuria took a thunderous step toward GOAT status by brutally knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round. “El Matador” left fans wondering if he will ever be beaten.
Yet, despite the title defences and legacy moments, the true centrepiece of UFC 317 may have come from a different bout altogether — one that’s already being whispered as a potential Fight of the Year.
Joshua Van vs. Brandon Royval: A Flyweight Classic
Where to even begin with this war?
Just three weeks removed from his win at UFC 316, 23-year-old Joshua Van entered UFC 317 with momentum and swagger, riding a four-fight win streak in under a year. His opponent? The ever-dangerous Brandon Royval — the #1-ranked flyweight contender and a man whose awkward, relentless style has made him a perennial problem at 125 pounds. Fresh off a razor-close loss to Pantoja in a title bout, Royval came in hungry, knowing a win would likely earn him another shot at gold.
What followed was 15 minutes of relentless, high-octane violence — a flyweight firefight that’s already being etched into MMA lore.
Fifteen Minutes of War
From the opening bell, the fight was chaos in motion. Both men refused to take a backwards step, trading blows with ruthless efficiency. Royval’s length and creativity paid dividends early, as he peppered Van with strikes from range. But the young prospect remained undeterred.
Van’s elite boxing began to shine as the fight progressed. He cut angles, landed precise combinations, and showcased the composure of a seasoned veteran. By the start of round three, the scorecards seemed deadlocked — one round apiece, all to play for in the final five minutes.
And then came the turning point.
With just over a minute left, Van began targeting Royval’s lead leg with vicious side kicks, visibly buckling the veteran’s base. Smelling blood, Van surged forward. With 10 seconds to go, he dropped Royval with a thunderous right hand — a moment that would’ve ended most fights if not for the final horn.
The bell rang. The crowd rose to its feet. A war had been waged, and a star was born.
Van took home a unanimous decision victory in a fight that saw 772 significant strikes thrown and zero takedowns attempted — pure, unfiltered violence. Both men rightfully earned Fight of the Night honours for their performance.
What Comes Next
For Royval, the loss is a painful setback. The veteran proved he’s still one of the most dangerous men in the division, but fell just short against a surging new contender.
For Joshua Van, the future is now. Following the co-main event, it was confirmed that Van will face Pantoja next for the flyweight title. It’s a monumental challenge — but if anyone can rise to the occasion, it’s the unshakable 23-year-old with granite hands and gas tank for days.
His boxing? Flawless. His pace? Ruthless. His mindset? Championship-caliber.
After UFC 317, no one is doubting Joshua Van anymore. He’s not just a rising prospect — he’s a title threat, and maybe, just maybe, the man to dethrone Pantoja.
An all-time classic — Joshua Van and Brandon Royval gave fans a fight that will live forever in the annals of UFC history. For those watching live, it was a privilege. For those who missed it? Go back and watch. You won’t regret it.
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