Kavanagh Stuns Moreno in Mexico
English flyweight Lone'er Kavanagh (10-1) upset former champion Brandon Moreno by unanimous decision at UFC Mexico City, frustrating the Mexican favorite with superior striking and movement. Moreno was transported to hospital as a precaution after the grueling five-round war. Social media erupted with upset reactions, calling it one of the biggest flyweight surprises in recent memory.
The victory was a significant upset, with judges scoring the five-round contest 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47 in favor of the unranked English fighter. Kavanagh, who accepted the fight on less than a month's notice, was coming off the first knockout loss of his career. For his performance, Kavanagh earned a $100,000 "Performance of the Night" bonus. This was Kavanagh's first time in a UFC main event and his first five-round fight, which took place at the high elevation of Mexico City. The 26-year-old expertly used his kickboxing background, damaging Moreno's lead leg with calf kicks and bloodying his face. He even scored a flash knockdown and repeatedly rocked the former two-time champion, particularly in the second round. The loss marks a significant setback for Brandon Moreno, who was fighting in his home country for the eighth time. This is his second consecutive loss, and he has a record of 2-4 since his last title defense. The defeat is expected to drop the 32-year-old, previously ranked No. 6, down to #10 in the flyweight division. For Kavanagh, the win is a massive leap forward in his career. The Dana White's Contender Series alumnus is now 3-1 in the UFC and is projected to skyrocket 26 places into the #5 spot in the flyweight rankings. In his post-fight interview, Kavanagh acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, stating, "I live for legendary moments. This is a legendary moment...Moreno is a former two-time champion. I used to watch him as a kid."
