UFC 329 live blog: Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh

This is the UFC 329 live blog for Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh, the main card flyweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Royval is currently No. 6 at 125 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, two spots ahead of Kavanagh at No. 8.

A one-time title challenger, Royval (17-9) once again finds himself having to defend his spot in the contender line against a hungry contender. Royval’s past two fights haven’t gone his way as he was knocked out by Manel Kape and dropped a decision in a thriller against now-champion Joshua Van, so the time is now for the veteran to right the ship.

Kavanagh (10-1) is coming off of an eye-opening win over two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. Called upon on short notice to face Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico City this past February, Kavanagh spoiled Moreno’s homecoming with a virtuoso five-round performance. Just 27, Kavanagh could find himself on the cusp of a title opportunity if he can get past Royval.

Check out the UFC 329 live blog for Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh below.

Round 1: Jason Herzog is the third man in the cage for this one, and here we go! Royval connects a fast jab, and they begin to trade punches so fast already. Royval with a solid right kick to the leg of Kavanagh. Kavanagh aims for a kick to the body but misses. Another good leg kick for Royval. Kavanagh switches stances and lands a leg kick as well. Kavanagh goes for a high kick but Royval catches his leg and connects a couple of punches. Again, catches the kick and punishes him with a couple of punches. Kavanagh lands a good left punch to the body now. Royval’s jab continues to land and keep Kavanagh away from him. Royval shoots for a takedown and Kavanagh threatens with a guillotine, but Royval is already on side control. Back to half guard, and full guard, and Royval ground and pounds Kavanagh. Royval with elbows to the face, but that opens space for Kavanagh to get back up and hold him against the fence. Kavanagh trips Royval down and round comes to an end. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Royval.

Round 2: Round stars and Royval is already busy with the jabs, over and over again. Kavanagh fires a kick to the body that barely misses. Kavanagh with a 1-2 combo, followed by a kick to the body. And another right hand to the face of Royval. And again! Royval is hurt and down! Kavanagh follows him with a barrage of punches and has him in deep trouble now! Elbows for Kavanagh! Royval recovers and is able to hold him down with an omoplata to prevent from eating more elbows and punches, but Kavanagh escapes is back to hurting him. They are back to their feet, and Royval connects more jabs before going for a takedown. Kavanagh defends, and makes him pay with a violent elbow to the head. Kavanagh attacking with low kicks before Royval clinches. Royval jabs and takes Kavanagh down, and now elbows the head of Kavanagh for a second before they back up. What a round! Kavanagh with a combo of punches and flying knee to end the round. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Kavanagh (19-19).

Round 3: They embrace in the center of the octagon before going for it in the final stanza. And Royval hurts Kavanagh already! And Kavanagh fires back and hurts Royval! WOW! Royval shoots for a takedown and Kavanagh attacks with a guillotine but isn’t that deep, and Royval escapes with ease. Elbows for Royval on top control! Kavanagh scrambles and Royval takes his back, and goes for an arm-triangle choke! It’s deep! Kavanagh fights the way he can, and Royval goes to mount and loses pressure on the choke. Royval has his back again and tries to work on a rear-naked choke but Kavanagh is doing a good job fighting the hands… until he doesn’t. IT’S DEEP, AND HE GETS THE TAP! What a win for Royval!

Official result: Brandon Royval def. Lone’er Kavanagh via third-round submission (rear-naked choke) (3:40)