Meaning Behind ‘Raw Dawg,’ Brandon Royval Explains the Story Behind His Nickname
In the prize-fighting business, where popularity translates to paychecks, monikers play an important role. The UFC has several fighters with memorable nicknames. Examples like ‘The Notorious’ Conor Mcgregor and Jon ‘Bones’ Jones show how a well-crafted moniker can stick with fans and make a fighter stand out. But what if your nickname was a popular word from the internet lingo that just happened to be an accurate description of your fighting style? This is where UFC 296 co-main event star, Brandon Royval‘s “Raw Dawg” is undeniably impressive.
Royval is fully prepared to take on Alexandre Pantoja ͏for the UFC’s flyweight title at ͏UFC 296. “Raw Dawg” has established himself ͏as a formidable challenge in the division and is riding a three-fight win-streak (all three finishes) to Las Vegas. As we count down the hours till he vies for the title, let us take a look at how he got his now-viral nickname.
How did Brandon Royval get his moniker?
Brandon Royval hails from Denver, Colorado, USA, and was born on August 16, 1992. His early foray into the MMA scene involved competing under the Legacy Fighting Alliance banner. Remarkably, Royval commenced his MMA journey at the tender age of fifteen, immersing himself in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The year 2011 witnessed his amateur debut at RMBB: Extreme MMA, where he left an indelible mark, eventually earning himself a professional contract in 2012.
Royval has a unique nickname, “Raw Dawg,” and an interesting story to go with it. On UFC Vegas 46 media day, when a reporter inquired about his nickname, Royval revealed the name was given to him by a fan. “That nickname came from a drunk fan in the audience,” said Royval.
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He continued, “He was yelling, ‘Brandon, raw dog him, raw dog him. That happened when I was an amateur, and years after that [my team] were like yeah, Brandon’ Raw Dawg’ Royval, and making jokes.”
The 31-year-old further added, “When I fought for World Series of Fighting, I used it to see if they would say it on TV, and then I knocked the dude out, and I was like, ‘Well, I guess we’re sticking with this nickname.’ Once you have a nickname like “Raw Dawg,” it doesn’t really go away.”
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A call from a fan gave Royval his best nickname. So has this name bore any fruit for the fighters? Let’s find out.
A glimpse into Royval’s rollercoaster ride of a career
Royval’s first UFC bout took place at ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns, where he squared off against Tim Elliot. In a display of composed prowess, he harnessed his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu acumen to disrupt Elliot’s game, clinching victory through a submission that left an indelible mark. The bout’s excellence garnered him the accolade of a Fight of the Night bonus, resonating with spectators.
This triumph became a springboard for his subsequent endeavor at UFC 253, where he battled Kai Kara-France. Demonstrating sustained momentum, he emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, further solidifying his presence in the UFC arena.
Royval faced his first divisional defeat against Brandon More͏no at UFC 255,͏ succumbing to a first-round knockout just moments before the bell. Almost 9 months later, he lost another bout via submission to his opponent this weekend, Pantoja. However, ‘Raw Dawg’ bounced back and put together three back-to-back wins to earn himself a title shot.
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The fans are waiting for the much-anticipated clash between Pantoja and Royval. Will “Rawdog” be able to get past “The Cannibal.” What’s your opinion on their match-up?
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