Brandon Royval Reveals Injury That Derailed UFC Fight Night Main Event

The UFC flyweight division suffered a significant shake-up as Brandon Royval, the No. 1 contender, officially withdrew from his highly anticipated March 1 main event clash against Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 103. The fight, considered a potential title eliminator, was set to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. However, Royval cited multiple concussions sustained during training camp as the reason for his withdrawal, prioritizing his long-term health over immediate competition.

The Injury and Its Impact

In a candid video posted on his YouTube channel, Royval detailed the events leading to his decision. He revealed that he initially suffered a concussion several months ago but had recovered enough to accept the fight with Kape. However, during an intense training camp, he sustained another concussion—this one significantly more severe—forcing him to reconsider his participation.

“First and foremost, I’ve fought so many times injured,” Royval explained. “I’ve fought with broken hands, torn labrums, torn MCLs—all that—and for a lot less money and not as meaningful of events. Pulling out of a main event for the No. 1 spot was definitely a hard decision to make. But this concussion was severely worse. It’s been over a week now, and I’m still dealing with the repercussions and symptoms.”

Brandon Royval reveals he was forced out of his main event bout against Manel Kape on March 1 due to suffering “another” concussion in training. 😬

“Got another concussion. This one was severely worse. It’s been over a week at this point and I’m still dealing with the… pic.twitter.com/RJ1uQW051F

— Parry Punch (@ParryPunchNews) February 10, 2025

Royval emphasized that adding a weight cut and facing a dangerous striker like Kape in what would predominantly be a striking match made the decision even clearer. “You really only get one brain,” he added, apologizing to fans and promising to return when fully recovered.

This marks yet another setback in what has been an otherwise stellar career for Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC). The flyweight contender has been on a tear recently, securing back-to-back wins over former champion Brandon Moreno and rising star Tatsuro Taira. However, his withdrawal from this bout leaves questions about his immediate future in the division.

What’s Next for Kape and the Flyweight Division?

With Royval out of the picture for now, Manel Kape (20-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will face Asu Almabayev as a replacement opponent in the new main event of UFC Vegas 103. Almabayev, an undefeated fighter in his UFC tenure with four consecutive wins, presents an intriguing challenge for Kape. While this matchup lacks the title implications of the original bout, it still offers Kape an opportunity to build momentum in the division.

🚨Per: IG/Sportilinet | Brandon Royval is OUT & Asu Almabayev will step in and fight Manel Kape at #UFCVegas103 on March 1st. pic.twitter.com/5vSftXFt0i

— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) February 6, 2025

Kape has faced significant hurdles since joining the UFC in 2020, including an astonishing ten canceled bouts due to various reasons. Despite these setbacks, he remains one of the most dynamic fighters in the flyweight division and is eager to prove himself as a legitimate title contender.

The cancellation of Royval vs. Kape also raises broader questions about the state of the flyweight division. Current champion Alexandre Pantoja has already defeated Royval twice and does not have a title defense scheduled at this time. This leaves room for other contenders like Kape or Almabayev to make their case for a shot at gold.

A Difficult but Necessary Decision

Royval’s withdrawal underscores the importance of fighter safety in mixed martial arts. While fans may be disappointed by his absence from what was shaping up to be an electrifying main event, his decision highlights the physical toll of competing at the highest level. By prioritizing his health now, Royval aims to extend his career and return stronger than ever.

As for UFC Vegas 103, while the original headliner may no longer be on the card, fans can still look forward to an exciting night of fights featuring matchups like Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez and Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics.

In an era where fighter safety is increasingly coming into focus, Royval’s choice serves as a reminder that even elite athletes must sometimes step back to ensure they can continue performing at their best in the future. Fans will undoubtedly await his return with great anticipation as he works toward full recovery and another run at flyweight gold.