Dana White has a new flyweight favourite following week one of Dana White’s Contender Series, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Lone’er Kavanagh, the promising English MMA fighter, has officially made his mark in the UFC. At just 25 years old, Kavanagh entered his Contender Series fight against An Tuan Ho with an unblemished 6-0 record and plenty of buzz surrounding him.
UFC commentator Laura Sanko had already praised Lone’er Kavanagh as one of the most exciting prospects she had ever seen. Kavanagh certainly lived up to that hype with a performance that was nothing short of spectacular.
In the early rounds, both fighters were cautious, feeling each other out. But it didn’t take long for Kavanagh to make his move. A powerful left hook from Kavanagh sent Ho crashing to the canvas, leaving him unconscious for several minutes. The knockout was both dramatic and decisive.
Dana White Left Stunned as Lone’er Kavanagh Starched An Tuan Ho on DWCS
Adding to the excitement, Kavanagh celebrated his win with a high-flying backflip, which caught the attention of the camera as it panned to UFC CEO Dana White. White’s reaction was instant and raw. He could be seen mouthing “Holy s***” and looked genuinely stunned by the knockout.
Despite the intense moment, Ho was eventually able to walk out of the Octagon on his own. However, there were some nerve-wracking minutes when it wasn’t clear if he would recover from the knockout.
At the post-fight press conference, Dana White didn’t hold back his praise: “That was vicious,” he remarked, clearly impressed. “One of the nastiest knockouts we’ve ever seen on this show, and we’ve seen some s*** on this show.”
White emphasized that Ho was no pushover:
“Again, that kid [Ho] is no slouch either. It’s not like you saw this vicious knockout against a can who has been thrown in there against someone on the rise. That was a real fight with two real guys. I’m excited to see what Kavanagh does in the UFC.”
Kavanagh’s rise through the ranks is noteworthy. He made his name fighting in Cage Warriors, a promotion known for launching the careers of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping, and Paddy Pimblett. His move to the UFC represents a significant step forward.
What’s Lays Ahaed
In the UFC, Kavanagh will be competing in the flyweight division, currently led by champion Alexandre Pantoja. Kavanagh is already aiming high, looking to climb the ranks and vie for a title shot:
“I think the flyweight division is very good,” Kavanagh told reporters after the fight. “But I do think there’s room for me to climb my way to the top.”
Kavanagh’s determination is evident:
“I’ve said to my manager and the guys here, ‘I want to make it to the top as soon as possible.’ I’m not here to hang about. I wanna get to the top and I wanna stay there.”
With his recent knockout, Kavanagh has proven that he’s a serious contender in the UFC. His debut was a clear statement of intent, and fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next for him.
Kavanagh’s journey has only just begun, and if his debut is any indication, he’s set to make a significant impact in the UFC flyweight division. We’re all excited to see where his career takes him next.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
