Lone'er Kavanagh
China
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.
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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.
Remains perfect in UFC
Kavanagh defeated Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
Through two UFC appearances, it's quite clear that Kavanagh's grappling is way ahead of his striking. He didn't attempt a single takedown in Round 1 and dropped the frame on all three scorecards. Seeking to flip the script, Kavanagh landed two takedowns in each of the final two rounds, good for 5:54 worth of control time. That, combined with the fact that dos Santos was once again exhausted, ensured Lone'er would walk out with the decision. The ceiling here is quite high, but expect some struggles along the way.
Through two UFC appearances, it's quite clear that Kavanagh's grappling is way ahead of his striking. He didn't attempt a single takedown in Round 1 and dropped the frame on all three scorecards. Seeking to flip the script, Kavanagh landed two takedowns in each of the final two rounds, good for 5:54 worth of control time. That, combined with the fact that dos Santos was once again exhausted, ensured Lone'er would walk out with the decision. The ceiling here is quite high, but expect some struggles along the way.
Next fight scheduled
Kavanagh is scheduled to compete against Felipe dos Santos in a flyweight fight at UFC London on March 22, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
UFC London is scheduled to be the event for Kavanagh's first 2025 fight. In 2024, he got the ball rolling late with a debut win over Jose Ochoa in Macau. Meanwhile, Kavanagh's opponent is coming off a decision loss to Andre Lima back in September.
UFC London is scheduled to be the event for Kavanagh's first 2025 fight. In 2024, he got the ball rolling late with a debut win over Jose Ochoa in Macau. Meanwhile, Kavanagh's opponent is coming off a decision loss to Andre Lima back in September.
Takes decision in UFC debut
Kavanagh defeated Jose Ochoa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Macau, China.
ANALYSIS
It would have been nice to see a more emphatic victory from Kavanagh as a -350 favorite in his UFC debut, but flyweight fights are almost always competitive and this one was no exception. The two matched each other blow-for-blow, with the main difference being the fact Kavanagh landed a handful of more notable shots. A very highly-regarded prospect and still just 25 years of age, Kavanagh is a fighter to keep an eye on moving forward in a 125-pound division which lacks depth up top.
It would have been nice to see a more emphatic victory from Kavanagh as a -350 favorite in his UFC debut, but flyweight fights are almost always competitive and this one was no exception. The two matched each other blow-for-blow, with the main difference being the fact Kavanagh landed a handful of more notable shots. A very highly-regarded prospect and still just 25 years of age, Kavanagh is a fighter to keep an eye on moving forward in a 125-pound division which lacks depth up top.
Taking on fellow undefeated prospect
Kavanagh will take on Jose Ochoa in a flyweight matchup at UFC Macau on November 23, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Kavanagh will take on a fellow debutante in Ochoa, a 23-year-old, undefeated prospect who most recently competed under the banner of LFA. Kavanagh also has an undefeated record to put on the line, as he recently picked up a first-round stoppage on Contender Series to earn his UFC contract and had been racking up wins with Cage Warriors prior to that.
Kavanagh will take on a fellow debutante in Ochoa, a 23-year-old, undefeated prospect who most recently competed under the banner of LFA. Kavanagh also has an undefeated record to put on the line, as he recently picked up a first-round stoppage on Contender Series to earn his UFC contract and had been racking up wins with Cage Warriors prior to that.