UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs Lone’er Kavanagh Preview & Prediction
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Will the former champion prove that he’s still leagues ahead of most flyweights, or will this prove to be the English prospect’s coming out party?
Brandon Moreno vs Lone’er Kavanagh facts
What time are Brandon Moreno and Lone’er Kavanagh expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh main card
Brandon Moreno vs Lone'er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
Marlon Vera vs David Martinez (Bantamweight)
Daniel Zellhuber vs King Green (Lightweight)
Edgar Chairez vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)
Imanol Rodriguez vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
Santiago Luna vs Angel Pacheco (Bantamweight)
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh prelims
Ryan Gandra vs Jose Daniel Medina (Middleweight)
Ailin Perez vs Macy Chiasson (Women’s Bantamweight)
Cristian Quinonez vs Kris Moutinho (Bantamweight)
Douglas Silva de Andrade vs Javier Reyes (Featherweight)
Regina Tarin vs Ernesta Kareckaite (Catchweight - 130lbs)
Erik Silva vs Francis Marshall (Featherweight)
Damian Pinas vs Wesley Schultz (Middleweight)
Brandon Moreno: The flyweight great returns following the first stoppage defeat of his UFC tenure
The first and only two-time champion in flyweight history, Brandon Moreno (23-9-2) main events in his home country off the back of the first stoppage defeat of his professional career. Widely regarded as one of the best 125 pounders in MMA history, “The Assassin Baby” has fought (and largely beaten) a murderer’s row of contenders across the course of two separate UFC runs. At his best, the 32 year old Mexican is a superb boxer with a lethal submission game in his back pocket, leaning on an iron chin and endless cardio to put a relentless pace on his opponents. Regrettably for Moreno, those days could finally be slipping away from him; while he’s still considerably better than 90% of the division’s contenders, his TKO defeat to prospect, Tatsuro Taira, last time out was the first time he’s been completely dominated in defeat.
Lone’er Kavanagh: Can the English prospect rebound after suffering a devastating KO in his last fight?
Despite being touted by the likes of Ilia Topuria as one of the most promising prospects in the promotion, Lone’er Kavanagh (9-1) came crashing back down to earth in harrowing fashion in his most recent appearance. Punching his ticket to the promotion with a highlight reel one-punch KO on the Contender Series, two successive victories would earn the Englishman a shot at perennial tough out, Charles Johnson. Unfortunately, it would prove too much too soon for the GB Top Team prospect; after a superb opening round, Kavanagh noticeably tired and was caught with his hands down for one of the nastiest flyweight KO defeats in recent memory. Nevertheless, the Englishman throws himself back into the fire for the biggest fight of his career, taking on the former champion after Asu Almabayev was bounced from his matchup with Moreno.
Brandon Moreno vs Lone’er Kavanagh prediction
Kavanagh is arguably the best pure prospect that the flyweight division has to offer, an explosive athlete with a well-rounded skillset and legitimate KO power for 125 pounds. With that being said, the current line is being extremely generous to the Englishman here.
Moreno may be coming off a submission defeat to Tatsuro Taira, but “The Assassin Baby” has proven time and time again that he’s leaps and bounds above any flyweights who aren’t categorically elite. He’s only ever lost to champions and title challengers, while he has a strong track record of not only beating, but finishing, fighters outside of that mold.
At just 26, Kavanagh has plenty of time to prove that he belongs among the best in the division. However, his last fight showed that he’s clearly not there yet; a result that is aging poorly in the wake of Johnson’s recent TKO defeat to Alex Perez. Furthermore, the mental demons associated with losing his undefeated record in such devastating fashion could well play a factor here.
Moreno is unlikely to ever wear gold at 125 pounds again, but he’s still the best fighter that Kavanagh has ever faced by a country mile; a status quo that that had disastrous results for the Englishman last time out. In addition to being the far superior grappler, “The Assassin Baby” has a significant edge in size and will have a raucous home crowd roaring for him, something that could well play a factor should this one reach the scorecards.
As such, the pick is for Moreno to lean on his superior cardio, experience, and overall skillset to earn a decisive victory.
Prediction: Brandon Moreno to win
