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Prediction, pick for Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van at UFC 317

Prediction, pick for Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van at UFC 317

DraftKings Network

Published:

By: Ryan Wohl

The first of two Flyweight matchups on the UFC 317 Main Card sees No. 1 Brandon Royval taking on rising star No. 12 Joshua Van. With a next challenger for the 125-pound title unknown, the winner of this fight puts themselves in prime position to earn a title shot.

Here is my best bet on DraftKings Sportsbook for Royval vs. Van at UFC 317

Joshua Van Moneyline (-125)

At 23 years old, Joshua Van is one of the fastest rising stars in the sport. He is 14-2 with nine finishes in his MMA career while being 7-1 in the UFC. After Manuel Kape was forced to withdraw from this bout, Van took the opportunity on just three weeks’ notice. Van knocked out Bruno Silva at the UFC’s last PPV, UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7. Van has won four straight fights and 12 of 13.

Now Van will face former title challenger Royval. Royval recently beat elite prospect Tatsuro Taira in October 2024. He has also won five of his last six bouts. Royval has been one of the best fighters in the flyweight division over the last three years and will be a tough test for the 23-year-old.

Royval is taller by four inches with a three-inch reach advantage, but statistically, Van is the better all-around fighter. Van averages more significant strikes at a higher rate while landing more takedowns per 15 minutes. If Van brings the same energy and firepower that he showed at UFC 316, beating Royval is likely.

Ryan Wohl

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.