UFC Mexico City Results Spark Debates
UFC Mexico City delivered mixed results with Kavanaugh scoring an R2 KO and Brandon Moreno winning a 30-27 decision, though some fans are calling Moreno "done." Royval secured an R1 mounted guillotine, while hyped fighters like Zellhuber faded. The card generated significant debate about fighter trajectories and performance expectations.
The main event upset saw British underdog Lone'er Kavanagh take a unanimous decision victory over two-time former champion Brandon Moreno, with scores of 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47. Kavanagh, who stepped in on short notice for the injured Asu Almabayev, utilized sharp leg kicks and a potent jab to outstrike the hometown favorite. This marks Moreno's second consecutive loss and his third defeat in his last four fights. While there was no second-round knockout, Kavanagh did significantly rock Moreno with a combination of punches in the second frame, leaving the former champion visibly hurt. Moreno managed to recover and had some success with his wrestling in the later rounds, but Kavanagh's consistent pressure and striking volume ultimately swayed the judges. The loss has sparked conversations about Moreno's future in the flyweight division, with some fans on social media suggesting he may be past his prime. The card's co-main event featured rising bantamweight contender David Martinez securing a unanimous decision win over veteran Marlon "Chito" Vera. Martinez's victory extends his winning streak and positions him for a potential move into the division's top tier. Further down the main card, hyped lightweight Daniel Zellhuber suffered a second-round TKO loss to veteran King Green, silencing the Mexico City crowd. Zellhuber, a significant betting favorite fighting in his hometown, was unable to handle Green's pressure and striking, leading to a stoppage at 4:55 of the second round. This was Zellhuber's first career stoppage loss. The event also saw notable performances on the preliminary card, including a first-round TKO victory for Ryan Gandra over Jose Daniel Medina. In total, the event featured seven stoppage victories out of thirteen fights. Post-fight bonuses of $100,000 were awarded to Lone'er Kavanagh and Imanol Rodriguez for "Performance of the Night." The "Fight of the Night" bonus was awarded to the catchweight bout between Regina Tarin and Ernesta Kareckaite. There is no record of Brandon Royval competing on this card. Young prospect Raul Rosas Jr. also did not compete at this event, but is scheduled to fight in March 2026.
