The UFC kicks off March with a compelling Fight Night main event. Former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno faces rising British prospect Lone’er Kavanagh in a bout that could reshape the flyweight landscape.
For Moreno, this is about staying in the title picture after a loss to Tatsuro Taira. For Kavanagh, it is a chance to break into the rankings and announce himself as a legitimate contender.
Moreno’s Final Title Push?
Brandon Moreno has already achieved what most fighters only dream of – becoming a UFC champion. He defeated Deiveson Figueiredo twice to claim the flyweight belt on two separate occasions and cement his place in the division’s history.
Now 32 years old, Moreno understands the urgency. The flyweight division is deeper than ever, and opportunities at the top do not last forever. A win over Kavanagh would put him back within reach of UFC gold.
Should Moreno mount another title run, he could join Randy Couture on the rare list of fighters to claim three separate reigns in the same division. That possibility adds weight to this fight. It may not be officially labelled a title eliminator, but for Moreno, it feels like one.
Kavanagh’s Golden Opportunity
Lone’er Kavanagh enters the bout following a surprising knockout loss to Charles Johnson. While the setback raised questions, it has not diminished the UFC’s belief in him. The promotion has matched the unranked prospect with the sixth-ranked former champion – a sign of confidence in his ceiling.
Before that defeat, Kavanagh had built serious momentum. Riding a 9-fight-win-streak, his speed, aggression, and finishing ability marked him as one of the most exciting young fighters in the flyweight division.
Now he has the chance to erase all doubt and regain momentum.
Experience vs Youth
Stylistically, the matchup is fascinating.
Moreno is a complete mixed martial artist. Across 23 career wins, he has earned five knockouts, eleven submissions, and seven decisions. He is comfortable striking, but his grappling remains a major weapon. Expect him to mix levels and test Kavanagh in scrambles.
Kavanagh, by contrast, is primarily a kickboxer. A five-time K-1 champion before joining the UFC, he brings speed, power, and unpredictability. He thrives in high-tempo exchanges and chaotic moments.
However, his last fight truly highlighted his youth and inexperience. During an exchange with Johnson, Kavanagh exited the pocket with his hands low. Johnson capitalised instantly, landing a devastating right hook. It was not a lack of skill that led to the knockout; it was a lack of experience.
Against a veteran like Moreno, those mistakes are rarely forgiven.
A Fight With Real Stakes
The implications are clear.
A Moreno victory keeps him firmly in the title conversation and sets up another high-level matchup. A loss, however, could push him out of immediate contention.
For Kavanagh, the stakes are just as high. A win would launch him into the flyweight rankings and position him alongside the division’s established names. A defeat would slow his rise and force him to rebuild momentum.
In a stacked flyweight division, opportunities to leap forward are rare.
On Fight Night, one fighter protects his legacy. The other tries to begin his own.
Will experience prevail, or will youth seize the moment?
Below you can watch Lone’er Kavanagh’s last win at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs Brady:
Do you agree?
