His mum got him into kickboxing when he was eight. Twenty-six years later, that same kid from London is headlining a UFC main event in Mexico City. Some stories write themselves.
This is Lone'er Kavanagh. And if you haven't been paying attention, now is the time to start.
Who Is Lone'er Kavanagh?
Lone'er Kavanagh is an English professional MMA fighter competing in the UFC's flyweight division (125lbs). He trains out of Great Britain Top Team in London and holds a professional record of 9 wins and 1 loss at the time of writing.
He's a black belt in kickboxing, a purple belt in BJJ, and a graduate in sports science. On paper, he looks like a well-rounded fighter. In the cage, he looks like a problem.
According to the official UFC website, four of Lone’er Kavanagh’s nine wins are by knockout, with two of those victories coming in the first round. He competes with a natural confidence built from nearly twenty years of dedication and a clear sense of his capabilities.
Where Is Lone'er Kavanagh From?
Kavanagh was born and raised in London, England. He trains at Great Britain Top Team, one of the UK's top MMA gyms. He's proudly British, and the UFC fans here have noticed. Lone'er Kavanagh began training in kickboxing at age eight after his mother introduced him to the sport. By the time he reached the professional MMA circuit, he'd already built a foundation most fighters spend years trying to develop.
How Did Lone'er Kavanagh Get Into MMA?
It started with his mother. She introduced him to kickboxing as a kid, and from his first competition, he was hooked. He loved not just winning, but the craft itself: the strategy, the discipline, and the honesty of one-on-one combat.
He competed extensively on the Cage Warriors circuit before the UFC came calling. That promotion is a proving ground for some of Britain's best fighters. Kavanagh earned his stripes there, picking up wins and developing the kind of ring intelligence you can't teach.
His path to the UFC came through Dana White's Contender Series in August 2024. He knocked out his opponent in the first round. Dana White offered him a contract on the spot. The rest has moved quickly.
Lone'er Kavanagh's MMA Record and UFC Career So Far
Since joining the UFC, Kavanagh has gone 2-1:
- UFC debut, November 2024 — Unanimous decision win over Jose Ochoa
- UFC London, March 2025 — Unanimous decision win over Felipe dos Santos
- UFC Shanghai, August 2025 — Second-round KO loss to Charles Johnson
The loss to Johnson was his first as a professional. It hurt. But it also showed something important: he took the fight on short notice, faced tougher competition, and went toe-to-toe with a dangerous opponent. That’s not a fighter who avoids challenges.
When and Where Is Lone'er Kavanagh Fighting Next?
UFC Fight Night 268. Saturday, 28 February 2026. Arena CDMX, Mexico City.
Main event. Against Brandon Moreno.
He stepped in on short notice after the first opponent pulled out with a hand injury. Kavanagh didn't hesitate. That mentality, saying yes, figuring it out, and showing up, is what separates fighters who succeed from those who don't.
Kavanagh vs Moreno: Why This Fight Is His to Win
Brandon Moreno is a former two-time UFC flyweight champion, ranked sixth in the division, and fighting at home in front of a passionate Mexican crowd. This is the kind of fight that defines careers, and Kavanagh accepted it right away.
That tells you everything about where his head is at.
Moreno is coming off a second-round knockout loss, and Kavanagh brings a style nobody at 125lbs wants to see across the octagon. He's quick, technically precise, and has the kind of kickboxing pedigree that causes problems at flyweight, where footwork and striking accuracy matter more than raw power.
He's ready for this. And he knows it.
What Fighting Style Does Lone'er Kavanagh Use?
Kavanagh is a kickboxer at heart and an elite one. He holds a black belt and was a five-time K-1 World Champion before transitioning to MMA. His striking is his primary weapon, and it's not just powerful, it's smart. He picks his shots, moves well, and rarely leaves himself exposed.
He's added solid grappling to his game too. As a purple belt in BJJ, he's no pushover on the mat, and his takedown defence is 89% in the UFC. That means opponents who try to take him down are almost always disappointed.
He's a complete fighter in development. At 26, the best is almost certainly still ahead of him.
The Gear Lone'er Kavanagh Trusts in the Cage
When you compete at the highest level, every piece of gear matters. Lone'er Kavanagh trusts OPRO for his mouthguard protection, and that's not something he takes lightly.
At the UFC level, the physical demands on your teeth, jaw, and head are extreme. A mouthguard isn't simply an accessory. It can be the difference between taking a hit safely and leaving with a dental injury that ends your training camp or even your night.
OPRO has been protecting athletes in combat sports for over 25 years. From grassroots boxing clubs to the UFC octagon, the principle has always been the same: protection that fits properly, performs under pressure, and lets athletes focus on what they do best.
We're proud to be in Lone'er's corner this Saturday.
Is Lone'er Kavanagh a Future UFC Champion?
He has the tools. The kickboxing pedigree, the grappling base, the fight IQ, and the mentality to keep saying yes when the big opportunities come. Stepping into a UFC main event against a former world champion on short notice, away from home is not something most fighters would do at this stage of their career. He didn't blink.
Lone'er Kavanagh is one of British MMA's most exciting prospects and one of the most complete fighters in the flyweight division. We've believed that from the start.
This weekend, the rest of the world gets to see why.
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh takes place on Saturday, 28 February 2026 at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. UK viewers can watch live on TNT Sports. Full fight card and details here.
