In a surprising turn of events, Manel Kape has been forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated fight against Brandon Royval at UFC 317, leaving fans eagerly awaiting news of a replacement. With less than a month until the big event on June 28 at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC has found a new contender!

Enter Joshua Van, the rising star who has confidently accepted this short-notice challenge! Royval took to social media to announce the exciting matchup, and sources have since confirmed that Van is officially stepping into the octagon.

"Manel Kape is out, Joshua Van is stepping in," Royval posted, hinting at the unexpected twist. "I’m unsure how serious Kape's situation is, but I know I’ve got a fierce prospect in front of me. Nothing changes for me; I’m still ready to face a fighter eager to make his mark by taking me out!"

Joshua Van, just coming off a stunning victory at UFC 316 where he finished Bruno Silva and stretched his winning streak to four fights, is generating buzz as one of the most promising talents in the flyweight division. However, this matchup with Royval is a significant leap in competition that could define his career.

Royval, a former title contender known for his resilience and skill, boasts an impressive recent record, including two wins against top-level opponents, one of whom is former champion Brandon Moreno. His last fight was nothing short of spectacular, earning Fight of the Night honors after a grueling five-round contest against Tatsuro Taira.

As fight fans gear up for what promises to be an explosive showdown, all eyes are on Joshua Van to see if he can rise to the occasion against the formidable Brandon Royval. Will he seize the moment and make a name for himself in the UFC? Only time will tell!