UFC legend Jon Jones was impressed by what he saw out of Lone’er Kavanagh in the UFC Fight Night 268 main event.
Kavanagh (10-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) stepped up on three weeks’ notice and upset former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno (23-10-2 MMA, 11-6-2 UFC) on Saturday at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, scoring a unanimous decision win to break through into the elite of the weight class.
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The slick striking and takedown defense of Kavanagh were key elements in him getting the victory on the scorecards, and former two-division champion Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) was watching as it unfolded, and was inspired to make contact with the Brit in the aftermath of the fight.
It was all caught on camera, and Kavanagh was short on words in response as he admitted to being “starstruck” as Jones lauded his kicking game and technique against Moreno (via Instagram):
Kavanagh nearly finished Moreno with strikes at one stage of their fight, but the Mexico showed his trademark toughness and tried to work his way back into the back with grappling. Kavanagh largely stifled the advances, and although Moreno picked up some rounds on the cards, the result was never in doubt.
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It was a huge bounce back performance from Kavanagh, who was knocked out by Charles Johnson in his previous contest. That served as a key lesson, because beating Moreno puts him in the upper heap at 125 pounds – and the endorsement of Jones will only build confidence.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Video: ‘Starstruck’ Lone’er Kavanagh praised by Jon Jones after UFC Mexico
