Brandon Royval and Muhammad Mokaev Trade Barbs, Tease Potential Clash

Brandon Royval and Muhammad Mokaev could possibly be on a collision course to determine the next title contender at 125 pounds.

Mokaev called for a title shot after a grueling decision win over veteran contender Alex Perez at UFC Fight Night 238 on Saturday. However, Royval, who outclassed former champ Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico a week earlier, is rallying for a title shot of his own.

Discussing Mokaev’s recent clash against Perez, Royval was quick to criticize the 23-year-old's “boring” performance over the weekend, labeling him unworthy of a title shot.

“He's undefeated. Maybe he beat Alex Perez, maybe not. He could be Alex Perez’s only win over a current UFC fighter right now. That being said, I don’t think it warrants a title fight, Royval said on “The MMA Hour” “I didn’t think it was very impressive. After the first round, it just seemed like he was done for. It is what it is. I just didn’t think it was that impressive, in my opinion.”

“Any time I watch that kid fight I’m like, ‘This s—t is lame. This is boring.’ It is what it is. He started off the first-round kind of strong or whatever, but that being said; by the time he fights again, I always forget what he brings to the table. Then I watch and like, ‘Oh yeah, this kid’s f—-ing boring.’ I get amnesia.”

With many of the top flyweight contenders either injured or coming off losses, Mokaev looked like the next worthy contender after besting Perez. However, Royval, who initially feared that he suffered MCL in his clash against Moreno, has since declared himself fit for another shot at the strap.

Both Mokaev and Royval are ready for title contention against Alexandre Pantojam who will most likely defend his strap at Charles Johnson during a Legacy Fighting Alliance outing.

Brandon Royval 23 years old 2-1 as professional, fighting some cans

In at 23 years old 6-0 in the UFC

You’re not at the position to hate my fighting style, I didn’t perform well on my bad day, but you on your bad day won’t even show up

I told you already if you saying I’m… https://t.co/YahrGkClYa

— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 4, 2024

Charles Johnson vs Brandon Royval

And these guy saying I fought nobody good 😂 pic.twitter.com/w71C2b5rAw

— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 4, 2024

With the flyweight title picture stuck in limbo, Royval isn’t opposed to facing Mokaev in a title contender fight if the UFC wants.

“I think it goes very well. I love that matchup,” Royval said. “That’s not a fight I would ever turn down. That fight has never been offered to me. That being said, me and him are both trying to take aim at the title fight, so if one of us is going to get it, so be it. But we’ve been hyping up a fight for about a year now, so when that time comes, if one of us has a belt, or one of us doesn’t have a belt, if that’s a five-round fight, he’s dead... I’d probably wait longer than two months though.”