England is experiencing a real boom in mixed martial arts prospects across multiple promotions. In the PFL, Lewis McGrillen and Simeon Powell provide championship possibilities. Oktagon hosts a potential superstar in George Staines, whilst Cage Warriors is home to a laundry list of elite English men and women. A real golden generation of English MMA, and amongst this wave of talent, one man stands out amongst the pack.
Lone’er Kavanagh has all the makings of a UFC champion, from his mentality to his well-rounded, complete skillset. At just 25 years old, Lone’er carries a 9-0 professional record with 5 finishes. He made his name in Cage Warriors, going 4-0 in the organisation, with his highlight combination knockout of Ryan Morgan putting flyweights across the globe on notice. Kavanagh got his UFC chance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024, facing off with the talented An Tuan Ho. Kavanagh did not let his opportunity pass him by, landing a huge left hook one-punch knockout in the first round to secure a UFC contract. Since then, he has achieved back-to-back decision victories, with his most recent performance at UFC London showing his championship potential. Matched up with the ever-dangerous Felipe dos Santos, Kavanagh showcased his full arsenal of skills. Lightning-fast hands, polished grappling and a gas tank that would seemingly last for hours, Kavanagh was able to overwhelm the Brazilian en route to victory. In truth, experience appears to be the only thing Kavanagh lacks. You will seldom see such a well-rounded young fighter. His physical attributes are only equalled by his stoic demeanour in the cage. Calm under pressure, Kavanagh has all the makings of a future champion, a belief supported by UFC Lightweight title challenger Ilia Topuria on the Joe Rogan podcast, with Topuria stating, “he is going to be a problem in that division, he is very skillful fighter”.
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Kavanagh has found the perfect gym to realise his full potential in Great Britain Top Team. GBTT have helped to mould fighters such as Nathaniel Wood and Alfie Davies into the warriors we see before us today. Kavanagh needs to look no further than his head coach, Brad Pickett, as an example to follow. Pickett is, without a doubt, England’s greatest ever flyweight fighter and the perfect teacher for Kavanagh.
Kavanagh finds himself in a division full of killers, with a blend of established veterans such as Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Moreno mixed with up-and-coming killers like Joshua Van and Manel Kape. In truth, there has never been a better time to be a flyweight, with more attention on the division than ever before. Despite all the talent at 125 pounds, I truly believe Kavanagh has all the physical and mental attributes of a future UFC champion. So, who’s next for the Londoner? A matchup with Charles Johnson would provide the perfect next test. An 11-fight UFC veteran, Johnson is an established force at 125 pounds. With wins over Joshua Van and Su Mudaerji, Johnson has proved himself to be a problem for any prospect. The American brings it every time he fights, carrying knockout power with every punch he throws. Whilst a huge step-up in competition for Kavanagh, a win over a dangerous veteran like Johnson would surely put Lone’er Kavanagh in line for a shot at the rankings.
Whoever is next, one thing is for sure – keep your eyes on Lone’er Kavanagh. Every one of his fights provides must-watch television, and he is sure to be a problem at 125 pounds for years to come in the UFC.
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