Royval vs. Kape Headlines UFC on ESPN 73 as Flyweight Picture Shifts

Overview

• Former title challenger Brandon Royval faces No. 6 Manel Kape in a five-round main event Saturday at the UFC Apex on ESPN2/ESPN+.
• Royval, ranked No. 3 by USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie, is coming off a June loss to Joshua Van and says tactical errors cost him in that bout.
• New champion Van captured the flyweight belt from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 by 26-second injury stoppage, leaving Pantoja’s return uncertain.
• Dana White has indicated Van’s first defense will come against another contender, with Tatsuro Taira and Kyoji Horiguchi discussed as options.
• Kape argues a dominant performance over Royval should earn him a title shot, while Royval notes a prior win over Taira strengthens his case.