Preview: UFC on ESPN 32 ‘Kattar vs. Chikadze’

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Flyweights

#5 FLW | Brandon Royval (12-6, 2-2 UFC) vs. #7 FLW | Rogerio Bontorin (17-3, 3-2 UFC)

ODDS: Royval (-160), Bontorin (+140)

As with any Royval fight, this should be a clear highlight of the card. One of the first late-notice UFC signings during the pandemic, Royval immediately made an impact upon his debut. Not only did he beat veteran contender Tim Elliott, but he did so in typical Royval fashion, serving as a complete whirlwind of offense until he found a second-round submission. His next fight, another second-round submission win over Kai Kara France, solidified the type of madness that Royval consistently brings to the cage, as the fight saw a plenty of wild exchanges and momentum swings—including what is becoming his signature spinning back elbow—until “Raw Dawg” found the finish. However, Royval has struggled to build on that momentum over the last year-plus. A fun fight against eventual champion Brandon Moreno came to an early end due to a Royval injury, and his lone assignment of 2021 saw Alexandre Pantoja find his way to a submission win of his own. Royval looks to right the ship against Bontorin, who should be a willing dance partner.

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Bontorin is capable of a solid bit of violence himself but mostly does so with a low-volume and high-power approach as a thickly built flyweight. The Brazilian is coming off of the biggest win of his career, as he got the upper hand on Matt Schnell over the course of three rounds in May. Even so, this seems like Royval’s fight to lose, if only through sheer pace and output. Bontorin is particularly capable of taking advantage of the defensive openings that Royval’s approach provides, so it would not be a complete shock if the underdog suddenly turned the tide with one big punch or submission. However, Royval is just as likely to find a finish and much more willing to press the issue. The pick is Royval via second-round submission.

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