UFC flyweight Brandon Royval isn’t even scheduled for the UFC 290 fight card, but he’s ready to fight nonetheless. Royval, currently riding a three-fight winning streak, is the backup fighter for the co-main, between reigning champion Brandon Moreno and challenger Alexandre Pantoja.
Royval told MMAFighting that, even if he doesn’t fight this weekend, he’s ready to go, and will be next in line for the winner.
Brandon Royval Has “Unfinished Business” As UFC 290 Backup
Royval wants vengeance against Brandon Moreno, so he’s hoping to end his “unfinished business” with the champ. “If Moreno wins, that’s what I’m going to say — it’s unfinished business.
Me and him have unfinished business and he knows it. You can’t really feel too satisfied with that win. I feel like me and him are from the same mind state.
I like to go out there and finish people and make statements and I want to leave no doubt who the winner of that fight was and there’s doubt. There’s reasonable doubt in there so I would want to get that one back, too.
It’s an exciting fight. I bring fireworks, he brings fireworks. That’s the big fight in the division. He’s the big fight in the division and I want that ultimately.”
Either way, Royval will be ready to seize the opportunity before him. “I’m going to go out there and make weight on July 7 and be ready to fight anyways.
I’ve been preparing for these fights no matter what and I’m excited to see how it shapes up and what happens in this flyweight division. I’m excited to fight the winner.
Technically I’m not fighting either one of them right now. I can add all the cool things I want in my training camp. It’s been one of the more fun training camps that I’ve had.
That being said, you never know what’s going to happen. I have a game plan, I’m preparing to fight both of these guys and I don’t wish ill will on anybody but if something does happen, I’ll be there and I’ll be ready to go.”
If it doesn’t come to fruition this weekend, Royval will exercise a virtue seldom seen in professional fighters: patience. “I’ve been waiting 15 years of my life for a title shot. I’ll be patient.
I’ll be cool and I’ll keep growing along the way. I’m willing to wait. I’ve been waiting my whole entire life for this moment.
I’ve been waiting my whole entire life to become the No. 1 contender. I wouldn’t even say I’ve been waiting. I’ve been making this happen, making statements and I’ve been waiting to have this come to fruition.”
