Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van Preview, Predictions, and MMA Betting Odds

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 317 will feature a lot of exciting fights, and one of them includes a showdown between Brandon Royval and Joshua Van. Royval, known as “Raw Dawg,” is a dynamic American flyweight fighter, known for his aggressive, high-paced fighting style and slick submission game. Since making his debut in 2020 with a thrilling win over Tim Elliot, he has consistently delivered action-packed performances, including victories over contenders like Kai Kara-France and Matt Schnell. Royval has climbed the ranks to become one of the most dangerous and entertaining fighters in the division.

Meanwhile, Joshua Van is a rising star in the UFC flyweight division and the first Burmese fighter to sign with the promotion. Born in Myanmar and raised in Houston, Texas, Van brings a relentless striking arsenal and fearless attitude to the Octagon. Since his debut in 2023, he has quickly made a name for himself with a string of impressive wins, including KOs and unanimous decision wins.

In a clash of flyweight firepower, Brandon Royval and Joshua Van collide in a high-stake showdown between two surging contenders with future title ambitions.

Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van Preview

Brandon Royval enters this main card showdown riding a wave of momentum after back-to-back split decision wins over former champion Brandon Moreno and the undefeated Tatsuro Taira. With a professional record of 17-7, Royval has reestablished himself as a top-tier flyweight contender following a tough loss to Alexander Pantoja, the current flyweight champ, in late 2023. Known for his unpredictable offense and slick submissions, Royval’s last appearance was a five-round war against Taira in October of 2024, where he showcased his experience and cardio to get a decision win.

Joshua Van, meanwhile, is on a tear. The 23-year-old phenom has rattled off four straight UFC wins since a knockout loss to Charles Johnson in July 2024. With a 14-2 record, Van’s most recent victory came in June of 2025, when he finished Bruno Silva in the third round, arguably his most dominant performance to date. He has already fought two times in 2025 alone, with the UFC 317 matchup marking his third. Van’s unlimited amount of striking and pace have made him one of the most exciting prospects in the division, and this main card clash marks his biggest test yet against a seasoned contender in Royval.

Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers has spoken and there might be an upset coming along the way. According to BetMGM, Joshua Van is the -125 favorite coming into the fight. Meanwhile, the top contender in the flyweight division, Brandon Royval, is the +105 underdog.

The BetMGM odds suggest that Joshua Van is a slight favorite, meaning you’d have to bet $125 to win $100. Whereas, Brandon Royval as the +105 underdog means a $100 bet on him would earn you $105 if he pulls off the win. It’s a close matchup, but the oddsmakers are leaning towards Van.

The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out with a -185 line on “Yes,” which means you’d need to bet $185 to win $100 if the fight goes all rounds. The +135 on “No” means a $100 bet would win $135 if the fight ends early.

Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van Predictions and Picks

With a full camp and elite-level experience, Royval is poised to outwork Joshua Van over three rounds. Van, stepping in on short notice, faces a massive leap in competition, with his upcoming fight against Royval being the toughest opponent he’s faced to date. While his striking is sharp, Royval’s durability, pace, and veteran savvy should be enough to secure a clear win on the scorecards.

Official Prediction: Brandon Royval via unanimous decision

(All Odds According to BetMGM: BetMGM offers exclusive promo codes, bonus deals and accurate odds for users upon signing up. Use BetMGM to ace your betting game in all sports!)

Brandon Royval

Joshua Van

UFC

UFC 317

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.