Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape Targeted for UFC Main Event on March 1

Brandon Royval has a little more work to do if he wants to get another shot at flyweight gold.

According to an initial report from Ag.Fight, Royval will face former Rizin bantamweight champion Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Fight Night 253 on March 1. Royval and multiple outlets have since confirmed the booking. The event is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

“At the end of the day, I got the toughest résumé since I signed to the UFC,” Royval wrote on Instagram. “Y’all going to learn to put some respect on my name. Only top 10 fighters. 4th main event in a row.”

Royval has won five of his last six UFC appearances. His lone defeat during that stretch came when he…