Lone'er Kavanagh
England
Shines in late-notice main event
Kavanagh defeated Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Mexico City.
ANALYSIS
In the biggest fight of his career to date, Kavanagh shined. He fought a smart game plan, firing off a ton of leg kicks in an attempt to slow Moreno down. It worked. He opened up on the feet in Round 2 with the biggest moments of the fight for either man and remain aggressive on the feet throughout. Defensively, he stuffed all eight of Moreno's takedown attempts. The only real offense he allowed his opponent was seven-plus minutes of boring, ineffective control time along the fence. Kavanagh was scheduled to face Bruno Silva in a couple weeks, so it's not as if he came in cold off the bench here, but he certainly was unaware he was competing in a five-round main event at altitude until earlier this month. It was a brilliant effort given the late-notice call, the opponent, and the fact Kavanagh was coming off a knockout loss at the hands of Charles Johnson last August. The 26-year-old Brit is going to find himself flying up the flyweight rankings when they are updated shortly.
In the biggest fight of his career to date, Kavanagh shined. He fought a smart game plan, firing off a ton of leg kicks in an attempt to slow Moreno down. It worked. He opened up on the feet in Round 2 with the biggest moments of the fight for either man and remain aggressive on the feet throughout. Defensively, he stuffed all eight of Moreno's takedown attempts. The only real offense he allowed his opponent was seven-plus minutes of boring, ineffective control time along the fence. Kavanagh was scheduled to face Bruno Silva in a couple weeks, so it's not as if he came in cold off the bench here, but he certainly was unaware he was competing in a five-round main event at altitude until earlier this month. It was a brilliant effort given the late-notice call, the opponent, and the fact Kavanagh was coming off a knockout loss at the hands of Charles Johnson last August. The 26-year-old Brit is going to find himself flying up the flyweight rankings when they are updated shortly.
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Main eventing against ex-champion
Kavanagh is scheduled to compete against fellow flyweight Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico on Feb. 28, per Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Kavanagh will make an astronomical jump in terms of opponent quality for his next fight. Feb. 28's UFC Mexico event required a new opponent for Moreno after Asu Almabayev withdrew from the event, and the 26-year-old Englishman offered to step in on relatively short notice. Kavanagh will face one of the best in a challenging situation, with the Mexican native Moreno not only a multiple-time UFC Flyweight Champion but also in the top-five of the division's class rankings. On the other hand, the opportunity may have been too good to pass up, especially with a win over Moreno ensuring a massive jump in the rankings for Kavanagh.
Kavanagh will make an astronomical jump in terms of opponent quality for his next fight. Feb. 28's UFC Mexico event required a new opponent for Moreno after Asu Almabayev withdrew from the event, and the 26-year-old Englishman offered to step in on relatively short notice. Kavanagh will face one of the best in a challenging situation, with the Mexican native Moreno not only a multiple-time UFC Flyweight Champion but also in the top-five of the division's class rankings. On the other hand, the opportunity may have been too good to pass up, especially with a win over Moreno ensuring a massive jump in the rankings for Kavanagh.
Out of Silva fight
Kavanagh (undisclosed) will no longer fight Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 114, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear why Kavanagh withdrew from the fight, but he will now have to wait for his next opportunity to bounce back from his recent loss to Charles Johnson. Johnson will serve as Kavanagh's replacement against Silva on March 14.
It's unclear why Kavanagh withdrew from the fight, but he will now have to wait for his next opportunity to bounce back from his recent loss to Charles Johnson. Johnson will serve as Kavanagh's replacement against Silva on March 14.
Silva up next
Kavanagh will fight Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 114 on March 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
A loss to Charles Johnson in August gave Kavanagh the first blemish on his previously 9-0 professional record. He'll get an opportunity to bounce back against a fighter who is nine years older than him and has lost two of his last three bouts.
A loss to Charles Johnson in August gave Kavanagh the first blemish on his previously 9-0 professional record. He'll get an opportunity to bounce back against a fighter who is nine years older than him and has lost two of his last three bouts.
Momentum derailed by Johnson
Kavanagh lost to Charles Johnson via KO (punches) at 4:35 of Round 2 at UFC Shanghai on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Entering on a two-fight winning streak as a (-250) betting favorite, Kavanagh looked great early in the fight. He clear won Round 1, taking a 36-to-14 lead in the significant striking department and stuffing both of Johnson's takedown attempts. Round 2 was looking like more of the same, but a huge right hand from Johnson late in the frame immediately stole the consciousness from Kavanagh. A few follow-up shots later, and it was over as quickly as it started. At just 26-year-old, Kavanagh may not longer be undefeated, but he has more than enough time to right the ship.
Entering on a two-fight winning streak as a (-250) betting favorite, Kavanagh looked great early in the fight. He clear won Round 1, taking a 36-to-14 lead in the significant striking department and stuffing both of Johnson's takedown attempts. Round 2 was looking like more of the same, but a huge right hand from Johnson late in the frame immediately stole the consciousness from Kavanagh. A few follow-up shots later, and it was over as quickly as it started. At just 26-year-old, Kavanagh may not longer be undefeated, but he has more than enough time to right the ship.
Headed to Shanghai
Kavanagh will take on Charles Johnson in a flyweight matchup at UFC Shanghai on August 23, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kavanagh is unbeaten in two official UFC fights and 9-0-0 as a professional, and he'll put that spotless record on the line overseas against an 11-fight veteran in Johnson. Kavanagh will give up height and reach advantages here, which he'll likely look to negate with wrestling. He recorded four takedowns in his March victory over Felipe dos Santos, and Johnson's takedown defense stands at a mediocre 67 percent.
Kavanagh is unbeaten in two official UFC fights and 9-0-0 as a professional, and he'll put that spotless record on the line overseas against an 11-fight veteran in Johnson. Kavanagh will give up height and reach advantages here, which he'll likely look to negate with wrestling. He recorded four takedowns in his March victory over Felipe dos Santos, and Johnson's takedown defense stands at a mediocre 67 percent.