Brandon Moreno Breaks Down Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Brandon Royval at UFC 329

Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has shared his unique perspective on one of the most intriguing matchups at UFC 329. Having recently fought both Lone’er Kavanagh and Brandon Royval, Moreno believes Kavanagh deserves his status as the betting favorite but cautions that Royval remains a dangerous opponent capable of changing the fight if it reaches the later rounds.

For fans searching for UFC 329 predictions, Lone’er Kavanagh vs Brandon Royval preview, or Brandon Moreno comments, here’s a complete breakdown.

Brandon Moreno Has Faced Both Fighters

Few people can offer better insight into this matchup than Moreno.

The former champion fought:

• Brandon Royval in February 2024.
• Lone’er Kavanagh earlier this year in Mexico City.

Although Moreno came up short on the scorecards in both contests, he experienced each fighter’s strengths firsthand, giving his analysis added credibility ahead of UFC 329.

Moreno Says Kavanagh Is the Right Favorite

Speaking before the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, Moreno explained why he believes Kavanagh enters the fight with the edge.

According to Moreno, Kavanagh impressed him not only with his technical ability but also with his professionalism after accepting a short-notice fight in Mexico City and arriving fully prepared.

Moreno said Kavanagh showed “how professional he is” by stepping into a difficult situation without appearing overwhelmed.

That preparation, combined with his overall skill set, makes Moreno believe the betting odds accurately reflect the matchup.

Royval Remains Dangerous Once He Finds His Rhythm

Despite favoring Kavanagh, Moreno was quick to point out that counting out Brandon Royval would be a mistake.

Royval enters UFC 329 after consecutive losses, including a defeat to Manel Kape, but Moreno believes his aggressive style can become increasingly difficult to deal with as fights progress.

According to Moreno, once Royval settles into his pace and timing, he becomes one of the division’s most dangerous fighters.

His pressure, unpredictability, and willingness to exchange create problems even for elite opponents.

Cardio Could Decide the Fight

Moreno identified conditioning as one of the biggest potential factors in the matchup.

During his own fight with Kavanagh, Moreno felt he never successfully forced the prospect into extended exchanges that could truly test his endurance.

Royval, however, fights at a relentless pace and consistently pressures opponents.

Moreno believes that style could reveal whether Kavanagh’s cardio holds up over three hard rounds.

He also pointed to Kavanagh’s lone professional loss against Charles Johnson, noting that Johnson’s pressure helped swing momentum later in that fight.

What Makes Royval a Live Underdog?

While Kavanagh enters as the favorite, Moreno sees several reasons Royval cannot be overlooked.

His advantages include:

• Excellent durability.
• Constant forward pressure.
• High-paced striking exchanges.
• The ability to create chaos during scrambles.
• Experience against elite flyweight competition.

If Royval can force Kavanagh into uncomfortable exchanges and maintain a high work rate, Moreno believes the fight could become much more competitive than the betting odds suggest.

Why This Fight Matters in the Flyweight Division

The matchup carries significant implications for the UFC flyweight title picture.

Both fighters are seeking to move one step closer to championship contention, making this one of the most meaningful bouts on the UFC 329 main card.

A victory would strengthen either fighter’s case for another high-profile contender matchup—or potentially a future title opportunity depending on how the rest of the division unfolds.

Final Takeaway

Brandon Moreno’s firsthand experience with both competitors gives his analysis particular weight. He believes Lone’er Kavanagh deserves to be favored because of his preparation, composure, and overall skill set, but he also sees a realistic path to victory for Brandon Royval if the veteran can turn the contest into a high-pressure, high-paced battle.

With title implications hanging over the flyweight division, Kavanagh vs. Royval could prove to be one of the most important fights on the UFC 329 card, and Moreno expects a compelling stylistic battle once the cage door closes.