Kape out, Van steps in on short notice to fight Royval at UFC 317

UFC flyweight Manel Kape won't face Brandon Royval at UFC 317 due to a foot injury, he announced Monday.

"I suffered a foot fracture during training and, after medical evaluation, I was instructed to have surgery and focus 100% on recovery," Kape wrote on social media Monday.

"It's not easy to stay out of something I've been preparing for with so much dedication, and without a doubt this would be the most advantageous fight of my career."

Joshua Van - who fought this past weekend at UFC 316 - will step in and fight Royval in the June 28 event in Las Vegas, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting. Van defeated Bruno Silva by TKO on Saturday to improve to 7-1 in the UFC. The 23-year-old has won his last four Octagon appearances.

Royval shared an Instagram video confirming that he'll fight Van next.

"Manel Kape is out, Joshua Van is stepping in," Royval said. "I have zero idea of the extent of Manel Kape's injuries, but I do know I have the hottest prospect and probably the most exciting UFC flyweight in front of me. Really nothing changes for me as far as what's in front of me. I've got a gangster that's ready to take my head off and earn his name off of me."

Royval, a former UFC title challenger, has won two in a row since losing to Alexandre Pantoja in 2023. The 32-year-old most recently defeated Tatsuro Taira in October via split decision.

UFC 317 will be headlined by a pair of title bouts. Ilia Topuria is moving up to face Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title while flyweight champion Pantoja will defend his belt versus Kai Kara-France.