Latest news with #BrandonRoyval
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
UFC Fighters Turning to Light Therapy for Brain Recovery and Performance: Neuronic tPBM Helmets at the Center of a Growing Trend
DOVER, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A growing number of professional fighters are embracing photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy as part of their performance and recovery regimens, quite literally shining a light on an evolving approach to brain health in high-impact sports. Among them are UFC fighters Alex Hernandez, Gray Maynard and most recently Brandon Royval, who was shown on the UFC 317 broadcast wearing a Neuronic transcranial PBM (tPBM) device (Neuronic LIGHT) ahead of his number one contender bout on June 28. 'Light therapy may sound unconventional to some, but the science behind it is anything but.' — Liam Pingree, Co-Founder of Neuronic Share The image, which quickly circulated online, drew both curiosity and skepticism, with some referring to the new technology as 'broscience.' But behind the jokes lies a well-established and growing body of scientific research showing the potential of tPBM to enhance cognitive function, reduce inflammation, and support neurological recovery. 'Light therapy may sound unconventional to some, but the science behind it is anything but,' said Liam Pingree, co-founder at Neuronic. 'Our 1070 nm near-infrared light targets the brain at the cellular level which has numerous benefits including boosting mitochondrial function, increasing blood flow, and reducing neuroinflammation. These mechanisms are especially relevant to athletes exposed to repeated head trauma or seeking a cognitive edge in competition.' Photobiomodulation has been studied in over a thousand peer-reviewed publications, with growing clinical evidence showing cognitive and neuroprotective benefits. When fighters like Royval choose tPBM, they're leaning into real, measurable brain support, not hype. This is about using light to help the brain do what it does best: recover, adapt, and perform. Brandon Royval, known for his strategic and high-energy fighting style, opted to incorporate the Neuronic device into his pre-fight and recovery routine following a serious head injury he suffered in training a few months prior. While public reactions varied, many in the athletic and scientific communities saw it as a bold, informed step. 'I'm always looking for tools that help me feel sharper and recover faster. Neuronic has become part of my routine. Neuronic helped me get back after a career-disrupting concussion, and continues to keep me mentally fit to keep fighting.' - Brandon Royval Neurotechnology Gaining Traction in Competitive Sports Neuronic's Neuradiant 1070 and Neuronic LIGHT helmets deliver near-infrared light to the brain with a non-invasive, easy to use helmet that both clinicians and at home users can employ. Originally designed to support cognitive health in aging populations and neurodegenerative conditions, the technology has found strong interest in the athletic world, particularly among those exposed to repetitive head impacts such as football, hockey, and MMA fighters. The science behind tPBM is grounded in decades of published research. Numerous studies highlight PBM's role in boosting attention, improving reaction time, and supporting concussion recovery. Other studies point to PBM's potential to enhance brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and facilitate neurogenesis (the birth of new brain cells) after injury. The Future of Fighter and Athlete Wellness Neuronic's visibility in professional sports coincides with a broader industry shift toward more science-driven, preventative care models. The UFC has committed over $1 million to brain health research via the Cleveland Clinic, and now employs multi-stage concussion protocols similar to those in the NFL. 'The lasting impact of head injuries in the sports world is finally getting the recognition it deserves.' said Jordan Hamlin, BCN, a BCIA-Certified Neurofeedback Provider and Consultant for Neuronic. 'Athletes and trainers alike are recognizing that maintaining a healthy brain isn't just about recovering after injury, it's about supporting brain health before an injury.' As the line between medical therapy and performance tech continues to blur, PBM may soon be as common in the locker room as cold plunges and foam rollers. About Neuronic Neuronic is a leader in light therapy, dedicated to making medical-grade brain health technology widely accessible. Through user-centric design and continuous scientific research, Neuronic is shaping the future of photobiomodulation therapy. For more information, visit
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joshua Van vows to show 'no respect at all' for UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja in expected title fight
Joshua Van continues to gain momentum like it's going out of style. The new No. 1-ranked UFC flyweight contender has emerged seemingly overnight as one of MMA's biggest breakout stars of 2025. Van's current five-fight win streak began this past September, however none of the five were more resounding than his latest — the 23-year-old went to war with one-time title challenger Brandon Royval at UFC 317, won a unanimous decision, seized the baton as the Fight of the Year frontrunner and positioned himself as the next challenger to UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja. Advertisement Despite the vast difference in experience between himself and Uncrowned's No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter in the world Pantoja, Van is exceedingly confident in his abilities ahead of the massive opportunity. "There's no one like me," Van said on Monday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show." "The fighting style that I bring, the no respect — I don't give respect to nobody in that cage. I respect [Pantoja] as a man, I respect what he's done in our division. But when we fight, there's no respect at all. "You know how a lot of people say that, 'He's good at this, he's the next level,' this and that? Look at Royval. When they said, 'Oh, his pressure's going to be too much' — I didn't give him no respect when he was pressuring me. I don't give no respect. I stay calm, I'll do my thing. It's going to be the same thing [against Pantoja]. I'm not going to let him do his thing. And I feel like a lot of people, because they know that his grappling is so much, that they're so scared of him taking them down, that they end up getting taken down." Advertisement UFC 317 set the stage perfectly for the top of the flyweight division with an unofficial tournament of sorts. Van's clash against Royval directly preceded Pantoja's latest title defense over Kai Kara-France. Like Van, the champion also performed brilliantly, finishing Kara-France with a third-round rear-naked choke to notch his fourth consecutive defense of the 125-pound belt. It was all a new experience for the surging Van, who stuck around inside Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena after his own big moment against Royval. "It was a good fight, but my head wasn't all there," Van said of his experience sitting cageside for Pantoja's win. "I was so excited to be there. You gotta remember, I never go to UFC events. I think that was probably my second time. ... For me to sit at the front row, my head wasn't there. "When I walked in the cage, I didn't even know what to do. Joe Rogan asked me a question and I thought we were done. Shout out to the champ, man — he was like, 'Hey, we gotta do the faceoff.' I forgot about the faceoff! I thought after [Rogan] interviews me, we were done." Advertisement Considering his youth, Van has already put together a wildly impressive career. Of his current five-fight stretch of victories, all occurred on numbered UFC pay-per-view events. Now if he can pull off the upset against Pantoja, Van will become one of the youngest champions in promotional history, falling just shy of topping Jon Jones' record set at age 23 against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in 2011. Though he's yet to fight a full five rounds in MMA, Van nonetheless has championship experience, having previously won the Fury FC flyweight title in 2023. That fight punched Van's ticket to the UFC, and nine fights later, he feels well-prepared to overthrow one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on Earth. "I'm about to take that belt. [UFC 317] showed that I'm confident, I'm ready to take him on," Van said. "I don't really care about the faceoff. People want to look hard when they face off. I'm like, 'Man, come on. We're going to fight in the cage.' "He's a great champion, but he's never fought Joshua Van."
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
UFC fighter Joshua Van hopes his success will put spotlight on Myanmar crisis
Joshua Van of Myanmar and Brandon Royval of the United States exchange blows in their flyweight bout during UFC 317 at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. SINGAPORE – Each time Joshua 'The Fearless' Van steps into the Octagon, the mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete is fighting for more than himself. The 23-year-old hails from Myanmar's Chin State, the mountainous western state bordering Bangladesh and India, where clashes continue in its capital Hakha between resistance forces and the military, which seized power from an elected government in a 2021 coup. And as he battles his way up the rungs of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Van, the only Myanmar-born fighter on the promotion's roster, hopes that 'the bigger I get, the more they all know about Myanmar', as he wants to raise awareness on the struggles back home. He will get his chance to do that soon. On June 29, in front of a sold-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Van made history by defeating the UFC's then No. 1 ranked flyweight Brandon Royval by unanimous decision to earn the right to be the next challenger for the UFC flyweight title held by Alexandre Pantoja. He will be the first Southeast Asian-born fighter to challenge for a UFC belt. After stepping up as a replacement for the injured Manel Kape with less than three weeks' notice, Van's win made the MMA world sit up and take notice of the flyweight sensation. It was the first fight in UFC history where two fighters each had more than 200 significant strikes and the bout was awarded Fight of the Night – both athletes took home an additional US$50,000 (S$63,700). For his first six fights in the UFC, Van, who is now an American citizen but fights under the Myanmar flag, did not have permission to take the Myanmar flag into the ring. While he did not know why it was not allowed, during a bout in March he fought hard and the flag was draped over his shoulders for the first time. Van told The Straits Times in a video interview from Texas: 'The reason why they (UFC) let me carry my flag to the ring was because I fought for it. And for me to do that and show the world, it means a lot. It makes me feel like I fight for my people. I fight for my country. I want people to know where I am from and what Myanmar is. 'The bigger I get, the more they all know about Myanmar. So for me to for me to do that, I have to work harder.' Since making his UFC debut in 2023, Van has risen through ranks with his explosive striking and relentless pace in the Octagon, where he has a record of eight wins and a loss. UFC vice president and head of Asia, Kevin Chang, has witnessed Van's rise and describes it as being 'incredible to watch', noting that he has 'given the fans in Myanmar a true sporting icon'. Born in Hakha, Van and his family – he has four sisters – fled to Malaysia when he was about nine after Myanmar became increasingly ridden with military and political conflict. About two years later, the refugees relocated to Houston, Texas, where Van picked up MMA before making his amateur debut in 2020. He may be far from home, but he keeps up to date on the situation in Myanmar through other family members who remained. When asked about what he wants the world to know about his country of birth, he said: 'I want people to understand that Myanmar used to be a strong, independent country, until these government takeovers. It ruined it all for us. But we are still fighting... and we will fight until we get the victory. I'm the example of that. 'I lost, but I get back up and keep going.' Despite the fact that some pundits have suggested that Van may face a grappling disadvantage against 'The Cannibal,' he still fancies his chances. While the UFC has not announced a date, Pantoja has suggested the match could take place in December. Van said: 'I'm always confident when it comes to fighting, so this is not going to be anything different. I am just going to go in there, do my thing, and get that belt for sure. 'I am going to feel like I'm on top of the world (if I succeed). I am going to be letting everybody know what Myanmar is about so that would mean the world to me.'
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
After Just Five Years of MMA Training, UFC Fighter Joshua Van May Become a Champion
After Just Five Years of MMA Training, UFC Fighter Joshua Van May Become a Champion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. At just 23 years old, Joshua Van has accomplished what most fighters spend a lifetime chasing. His unanimous decision victory over Brandon Royval at UFC 317 wasn't just another win— it was a step towards greatness. In a fight already being hailed by fans and UFC commentator Joe Rogan as a potential 'fight of the year,' Van outlasted the seasoned Royval in a three-round war that showcased his volume, durability, and elite fight IQ. Advertisement What makes Van's ascent even more remarkable is that he only began training MMA relatively recently, according to his post-fight interview, and now he is the no. 1 contender for Alexandre Pantoja's UFC flyweight title. CEO of UFC Dana WhiteGetty Images When Rogan asked him how long he had been training, Van answered, 'To answer your question, man, I've been training for five years.' Van has already built himself an impressive legacy in MMA with his relentless activity and rapid evolution. According to his record on Tapology, Van made his amateur debut in December 2020 and turned pro just 10 months later. He then joined the UFC in 2023, just two years and 1 month after his pro debut. In his two years of fighting in the UFC, Van has already fought eight times, amassing a 7-1 record in the promotion. His sole loss was via knockout at the hands of Charles Johnson in July 2024. Advertisement Van has fought an astonishing 17 times in under four years. What sets Van apart isn't just his record—it's his ability to adjust to the conditions of the fight while it is still occurring. He fought with the composure of a veteran. His ability to adjust mid-fight, as seen when he weathered Royval's second-round surge before retaking control in the third, demonstrated a maturity beyond his years. Next up for Van is a title shot against Pantoja, who successfully defended his belt against Kai Kara-France later that night. The matchup is a dream for the UFC—a fresh, charismatic challenger against a dominant champion. This opportunity is the culmination of a journey that began just half a decade ago. Advertisement "The winner of the title fight tonight, they're gonna have to see me," Van declared post-fight. "Dana White, if you give me a chance to face off with them, I'm here." Van's rise mirrors that of other UFC phenoms like Max Holloway, who also fought at a breakneck pace early in his career. But even Holloway didn't achieve title contention this quickly. With his combination of skill, activity, and fan-friendly fighting style, Van might be the future of the UFC flyweight division, and perhaps the sport itself. Related: Ilia Topuria KOs Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Wins Lightweight Belt to Become Two-Division Champion (Video) Related: UFC Hall-of-Famer Questions Jon Jones GOAT Status Over Failed Steroid Tests This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 317 results: Alexandre Pantoja submits Kai Kara-France as all-time flyweight résumé continues to build
Alexandre Pantoja is starting to look like a higher form of champion for the UFC. The promotion's flyweight champion (30-5) submitted challenger Kai Kara-France (25-12, 1 NC) via rear-naked choke in the third round in the co-main of UFC 317 on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was his fourth title defense since taking the belt in 2023. Advertisement Pantoja was dominant from the opening of the first round, taking down Kara-France and nullifying his opponent's dangerous striking with a more-dangerous ground game. It was almost inevitable he found the right position for the RNC. In many other divisions, Pantoja would already be making a case for the best ever, but he happens to be in the division dominated by Demetrious Johnson for years. He's not going to surpass "Mighty Mouse" in many eyes anytime soon, but he did break ties with the former champ for the most wins (14), finishes (8) and submissions (6) in UFC flyweight history. Joshua Van faces off with Alexandre Pantoja after Brandon Royval win With another title defense on the books, Pantoja can likely already guess his next opponent. In the fight before the co-main, rising star Joshua Van took on former challenger Brandon Royval and emerged with a unanimous decision win (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) in a Fight of the Year contender. Van called for a title shot after the fight and there is little reason not to give it to him. The UFC invited Van to face off with Pantoja after the fight, and all that's seemingly left is to pick a date. For full coverage of UFC 317, including live results, play-by-play and highlights of the entire Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira pay-per-view card, check out Uncrowned's UFC 317 hub.
