“Raw Dawg” is okay.
No. 2-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight contender Brandon Royval suffered a first-round knockout loss to Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 112 last night (Sat., Dec. 13, 2025) inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada (watch highlights).
One day after the disappointing defeat, Royval released a short message to fans addressing his health and mindset moving forward.
“Thank you for all who checked up on me,” Royval wrote on Instagram. “Sad about the loss,
but my health is okay, and I’ll live to fight another day.”
Royval (17-9) suffered the first knockout loss of his professional career and is now riding the second two-fight losing streak of his UFC run. The loss also closed out a rough 2025 campaign for “Raw Dawg,” who went 0-2 on the year.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Royval remains one of the Flyweight division’s elite contenders and is notably the only fighter to defeat Tatsuro Taira — a win that came just last year and could age very well if Taira ends up fighting for UFC gold next.
Add in his ‘Fight of the Year’ war with current champion Joshua Van, and Royval’s standing in the division remains strong despite the setback.
Expect “Raw Dawg” to regroup — and rebound — in 2026.
For complete UFC Vegas 112 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
