Brandon Royval Discloses Reason for Withdrawing from UFC Vegas 102 Headliner

UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval has revealed the circumstances that led to his withdrawal from the scheduled main event against Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 102 on March 1. In a video statement, Royval explained that he suffered two consecutive concussions during his training camp, forcing him to make the difficult decision to pull out of the fight.

Royval admitted that the decision to withdraw from such a significant bout was challenging, especially considering it could have determined the next title challenger. He disclosed that he had initially suffered a minor concussion a couple of months ago, from which he recovered before accepting the fight with Kape. However, during his intense preparation for the bout, he sustained a second, more severe concussion.

The fighter emphasized the importance of brain health, stating, “You only get one brain, and brain cells don’t heal.” Royval expressed his regret for the cancellation but insisted that prioritizing his long-term health was crucial. He aims to return to competition when he can train at full capacity and perform to the best of his abilities.

Royval’s recent performances include split decision victories over Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira in 2024, following his unsuccessful title challenge against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296. The bout with Kape was expected to determine the next challenger for the flyweight championship.

As a result of Royval’s withdrawal, rising flyweight prospect Asu Almabayev has stepped in to face Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 102. Almabayev, currently ranked eighth in the division, boasts an impressive 21-2 record and remains undefeated in his four UFC appearances.