Top UFC flyweight contenders Matheus Nicolau, Brandon Royval set for April clash
Two of the top 125-pound fighters in the UFC are set to collide in mid-April.
Matheus Nicolau and Brandon Royval will meet at the UFC Fight Night event April 15 in what could be a potential flyweight title eliminator. The event takes place at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., the promotion announced Wednesday.
A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the bout to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Sports Illustrated first reported the fight.
Currently in his second UFC stint, Nicolau (19-2-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has won six fights in a row, including four since the promotion brought him back. Victories include Manel Kape, Tim Elliott, David Dvorak, and Matt Schnell.
Royval (14-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) has won back-to-back fights, victories over Rogerio Bontorin and Matt Schnell. After the Schnell win in February 2022, Royval was booked against Askar Askarov and Amir Albazi, but both fights were canceled.
With the change, the UFC Fight Night lineup for April 15 includes:
Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen
Edson Barboza vs. Billy Quarantillo
Chris Gutierrez vs. Pedro Munhoz
Matheus Nicolau vs. Brandon Royval
Dustin Jacoby vs. Azamat Murzakanov
Bill Algeo vs. TJ Brown
Bruna Brasil vs. Denise Gomes
Martin Buday vs. Jake Collier
Gillian Robertson vs. Piera Rodriguez
Lando Vannata vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Danaa Batgerel vs. Brady Hiestand
Joselyne Edwards vs. Lucie Pudilova
Gaston Bolanos vs. Aaron Phillips