The UFC returned to Mexico City this past weekend for a card that promised fireworks and delivered a monumental upset in the main event. While the local fans arrived at Arena CDMX expecting a triumphant homecoming for former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, they instead witnessed the arrival of a new British powerhouse in Lone’er Kavanagh.
Kavanagh, stepping in on just three weeks’ notice, produced a tactical masterclass to defeat Moreno via unanimous decision. The 26-year-old Brit neutralised the altitude and the hostile crowd to secure the biggest win of his career, earning a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus in the process.
Main Card Recap: Upsets and Finishes
The shocks weren’t limited to the main event. In the co-main, David Martínez secured a massive win over veteran Marlon “Chito” Vera. In a gruelling three-round affair, Martínez’s volume and pressure were enough to convince all three judges, dealing a significant blow to Vera’s aspirations in the bantamweight division.
Meanwhile, King Green (formerly Bobby Green) continues to defy father time. Taking on the surging Daniel Zellhuber, Green utilised his trademark shoulder-roll and counter-punching to eventually find the finish. A flurry of punches late in the second round forced the referee to step in at 4:55, handing the Mexican youngster a tough learning experience on home soil.
The flyweight division also saw Imanol Rodríguez join Kavanagh in the $100,000 bonus club. Rodríguez dismantled Kevin Borjas with a technical TKO in the second round, further proving that the 125lb division is currently one of the deepest and most exciting in the promotion.
UFC Mexico City: Full Main Card Results
| Weight Class | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flyweight | Lone’er Kavanagh def. Brandon Moreno | Decision (Unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 48–47) | 5 (5:00) |
| Bantamweight | David Martínez def. Marlon Vera | Decision (Unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 (5:00) |
| Lightweight | King Green def. Daniel Zellhuber | TKO (Punches) | 2 (4:55) |
| Flyweight | Édgar Cháirez def. Felipe Bunes | Decision (Split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 (5:00) |
| Flyweight | Imanol Rodríguez def. Kevin Borjas | TKO (Punches) | 2 (4:21) |
| Bantamweight | Santiago Luna def. Angel Pacheco | Decision (Unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 (5:00) |
Preliminary Card Results
- Middleweight: Ryan Ganra def. José Medina via TKO (Punches) – R1, 0:41
- Women’s Bantamweight: Ailín Pérez def. Macy Chiasson via Decision (Unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
- Bantamweight: Cristian Quiñónez def. Kris Moutinho via Decision (Unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
- Featherweight: Javier Reyes def. Douglas Silva de Andrade via TKO (Punches) – R1, 4:59
- Catchweight (130 lb): Regina Tarin def. Ernesta Kareckaitė via Decision (Unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
- Featherweight: Francis Marshall def. Erik Silva via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – R1, 2:29
- Middleweight: Damian Pinas def. Wesley Schultz via TKO (Punches) – R1, 2:30
Bonus Awards: The Big Winners
The UFC handed out some hefty bonuses for the Mexico City event, with two fighters taking home six-figure checks:
- Performance of the Night ($100,000): Lone’er Kavanagh and Imanol Rodríguez
- Fight of the Night ($100,000 total): Regina Tarin vs. Ernesta Kareckaitė
- Finish Bonuses ($25,000): All other fighters who secured a finish on the card received an additional $25k.
🗣️ MMA UK DEBATE: HOW GOOD IS KAVANAGH?
Lone’er Kavanagh just went to Mexico on 3 weeks’ notice and beat a legend. Is he the next British UFC champion?
- Who should Kavanagh fight next in the Top 5?
- Was Martínez vs Vera the right result?