UFC 329: Brandon Royval vs. Lone'er Kavanagh Tale of the Tape, Predictions, & Betting Odds

Before we get to Conor McGregor’s battle against fan favourite Max Holloway, we get four excellent fights on the UFC 329 main card. The second of those pits No. 4 flyweight contender and former title challenger Brandon Royval against youngster and No. 5 contender Lone’er Kavanagh.

Royval comes into this one on a two-fight losing streak, while Kavanagh’s most recent bout was a short-notice win against former champ Brandon Moreno back in February.

Can Royval put a stop to yet another exciting prospect with his grizzly style, or will Kavanagh continue his quick climb up the 125-pound rankings? We’ve got you covered with a full fight preview, including UFC betting odds, predictions, and our tale of the tape.

UFC 329: Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh Main Card Bout - Tale of the Tape, Picks, & Odds - July 11

All odds provided by Powerplay.

Tale of the Tape:

Fight Analysis & Prediction

No. 4 Brandon Royval vs. No. 5 Lone’er Kavanagh Flyweight Main Card Bout Betting Odds

Since losing his surprise title shot in a surprisingly close fight in 2023, Brandon Royval (17-9) has turned into something of a gatekeeper at 125 pounds. He’s gone 2-2 since then, beating former champ Brandon Moreno and future title challenger Tatsuro Taira in split decisions before losing in a Fight of the Night to future champ Joshua Van and getting straight KO’d by current No. 2 flyweight contender Manel Kape.

Kavanagh, meanwhile, is one of the exciting stories in the UFC right now, coming in on short notice to defeat Moreno in his most recent fight to hop up to No. 5 in the rankings at just 27 years old.

But now that he’s here, he’s got to prove he belongs. Kavanagh will have advantages when it comes to speed and power, while Royval will have length and volume on the Brit. Kavanagh’s gas tank used to be a question, but after going five rounds with Moreno, those worries shouldn’t be taken as seriously anymore.

Kavanagh is a great kickboxer, and we think he can slow Royval and remove that length disadvantage from the equation with his biting front kick and slashing low kicks. When Royval rushes in to avoid those long distance shots, Kavanagh will have the power advantage to make him pay inside.

Kavanagh should emerge victorious, but we think Royval will represent himself well and force a decision. Kavanagh has not finished an opponent since joining the UFC officially in 2024, and Royval has only been finished once in the last five years. And that was Kape in that last fight in December, and Kape has borderline illegal power for the 125-pound division, which can’t be said for Kavanagh.

Best Bet: Lone’er Kavanagh to Win via Decision (+140)