Brandon Moreno vs Lone'er Kavanagh Prediction & Preview - 2/28/2026
Updated July 9, 2026
On Saturday, the flyweight main event at UFC Fight Night from Arena CDMX in Mexico City will feature former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon “The Assassin Baby” Moreno against rising contender Lone’er Kavanagh. Moreno (23-9-2 MMA) steps into the headliner on home soil after a December loss by referee stoppage that marked the first finish against him in his professional career, and he now looks to return to form in front of the Mexican crowd. Kavanagh (9-1 MMA) steps in on short notice after an injury to Moreno’s original opponent Asu Almabayev, giving him a major opportunity to make noise on the biggest stage of his career. Before Fight Night begins, continue reading for my Brandon Moreno vs Lone'er Kavanagh prediction.
Pick: Brandon Moreno to win by Decision ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Brandon Moreno | Lone’er Kavanagh | |
|---|---|---|
Age | 32 | 26 |
Reach | 70″ | 67″ |
Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Record | 23-9-2 | 9-1-0 |
Brandon Moreno returns to the octagon with his career trajectory in flux. Once the face of the flyweight division and the first Mexican champion in UFC history, Moreno has seen ups and downs in recent years. After losing his title and then suffering his first professional stoppage last December, he now enters this fight ranked among the top ten in the division and is expected to bounce back against an unranked opponent.
Moreno’s skill set is well-rounded. He mixes pressure boxing, high fight IQ, and top-tier grappling that he has used throughout his championship runs. He is comfortable dragging fights into deep waters and usually imposes his preferred pace onto his opponents as the rounds progress.
Lone’er Kavanagh is a fast-rising English prospect with power in his hands and confidence in his striking. Kavanagh made his name regionally before earning a UFC contract and has shown he can dictate tempo early in fights. However, his UFC resume is small relative to Moreno’s and he comes in on short notice after stepping in to replace an injured opponent. Kavanagh’s only loss came in a bout where he was knocked out in a shocking result against Charles Johnson. That experience, combined with the altitude of Mexico City and his first five-round fight, could play a role in his endurance deep into the fight. His takedown average and defense are respectable, but he lacks the high-level grappling Moreno has demonstrated countless times.
From a betting perspective, Moreno carries the edge based on his experience, fight IQ, and previous championship experience. Kavanagh’s upside and conclusive striking power could keep him in this fight, especially early. Still, Moreno’s grappling and cardio should begin to show as the fight progresses, especially in the final two rounds. I think a smart bet on Moreno might be a decision victory, as he often grinds down opponents rather than hunting for early finishes.
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