Brandon Moreno, the two-time UFC flyweight champion, is scheduled to compete at UFC Mexico City later this month as he aims to reestablish himself among the division’s elite. This bout follows his controversial defeat to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323, after which Moreno was slated to headline against rising contender Asu Almabayev.
However, Almabayev has recently withdrawn from the fight for undisclosed reasons, according to reports from Ag.Fight and other sources. Despite uncertainty surrounding the event lineup after Almabayev’s exit, Moreno remains a confirmed participant, with matchmakers securing a new opponent for his highly anticipated home event.
New Opponent Announcement: Lone’er Kavanagh Steps Up for UFC Mexico City Main Event
Moreno will now face Lone’er Kavanagh (9-1-0) on February 28th in what has become the new main event for UFC Mexico City. MMA journalist Al Zullino broke the news of this matchup. Kavanagh, who was originally scheduled to fight Bruno Silva on March 14th, accepted the short-notice opportunity to face Moreno.
A Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Kavanagh is coming off his first professional loss by TKO to Charles Johnson last August. This fight represents a significant step in Kavanagh’s career as he now has the chance to possibly emerge as the No. 1 contender in the flyweight division by overcoming the former champion.
Context and Implications of the UFC Mexico City Card
In addition to the Moreno vs. Kavanagh fight, UFC Mexico City’s card features notable returns including Daniel Zellhuber, Bobby Green, and Marlon Vera. This event is shaping up as a major occasion for the promotion in Mexico City, with Moreno’s comeback fight being the focal point for local fans.
This matchup not only tests Kavanagh’s abilities against a proven champion but also provides Moreno with the opportunity to quickly regain momentum within the division after his recent setback. The results could impact future title contention and rankings significantly.
With Asu Almabayev out, Lone'er Kavanagh steps in on short notice to face former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno on February 28, at #UFCMexico, sources told me.
Kavanagh was already scheduled to face Bruno Silva at the APEX on March 14. pic.twitter.com/fyD7AtjqHb
— Al Zullino (@phre) February 3, 2026
