Brandon Moreno will compete against a new opponent for his upcoming UFC fight in Mexico City following the withdrawal of his initially scheduled adversary. The former two-time UFC flyweight champion was set to battle Asu Almabayev on February 28, but Almabayev’s hand injury forced the cancellation of their main event at Arena CDMX. Within a day, sources confirmed Moreno would face a replacement fighter at the same venue and date.
Details emerge on Moreno’s replacement opponent for UFC Mexico City event
The fighter stepping in to replace Almabayev is reportedly Lone’er Kavanagh, according to MMA journalist Al Zullino. While the UFC has yet to make an official statement, Zullino tweeted that Kavanagh, initially booked to fight Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 114 on March 14, is taking the match on short notice against Moreno. This change means Moreno will face a fresh challenge in front of his home crowd.
Profile of Lone’er Kavanagh: Rising flyweight contender
Lone’er Kavanagh is a promising 26-year-old flyweight with a UFC record of 2-1. He gained attention after a highlight-reel knockout victory on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2021, which secured his UFC contract. Following his debut, Kavanagh won two consecutive fights in the Octagon before experiencing his first loss last August at UFC Shanghai, where he was knocked out by Charles Johnson, also known as the ‘Prospect Killer.’ Despite this setback, Kavanagh boasts a strong overall MMA record of 9-1. Facing an experienced former champion like Moreno in Mexico presents a significant test for his career progression.
Significance of the matchup for Moreno and Kavanagh
This replacement bout carries high stakes, as Moreno returns to fight in his home country before an eager audience. The upcoming contest will test Kavanagh’s ability to step up on short notice against a fighter with championship pedigree and local support. The outcome could influence both fighters’ trajectories in the competitive flyweight division. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Moreno adapts to the last-minute opponent change and whether Kavanagh can capitalize on the opportunity to make a major impact in the UFC.
