TLDR
- Brandon Moreno faces Lone’er Kavanagh in a five-round main event on February 28, 2026, at Arena CDMX in Mexico City
- Kavanagh accepted the fight on two weeks’ notice after Asu Almabayev withdrew due to a hand injury
- Moreno is favored at -225 to -250 odds against the 9-1 English prospect who ranks No. 15 in the flyweight division
- The co-main event features Marlon Vera vs. David Martinez, with Daniel Zellhuber vs. Bobby Green also on the main card
- The entire 13-fight card streams live on Paramount+ with prelims at 5 p.m. ET and main card at 8 p.m. ET
Sources: mmanews.com | fightbookmma.com
Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will headline UFC Fight Night in Mexico City on February 28, 2026, against England’s Lone’er Kavanagh in a five-round main event at Arena CDMX. The card features 13 fights streaming live on Paramount+, with preliminary bouts starting at 5 p.m. ET and the main card beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Kavanagh accepted the opportunity on roughly two weeks’ notice after original opponent Asu Almabayev withdrew due to a hand injury. The 26-year-old Englishman carries a 9-1 record with four knockout wins and now faces a massive jump in competition against the division’s No. 6-ranked fighter.
Moreno, currently ranked sixth in the flyweight division, returns to his home country after a recent loss to Tatsuro Taira. The Mexican fighter holds a 23-9-2 record and remains one of the most accomplished Mexican stars in UFC history.
Short notice? No problem! 🥷 🏴
Lone'er Kavanagh vs Brandon Moreno is your new #UFCMexicoCity main event 🤩👏 pic.twitter.com/ZRMDnU6gmJ
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) February 4, 2026
Main Event Matchup Details
Oddsmakers have installed Moreno as the betting favorite in the -225 to -250 range, while Kavanagh sits as the underdog at approximately +180 to +185. Moreno’s game is built around high-volume boxing, scrambling ability, and opportunistic submissions, giving him multiple paths to victory.
Kavanagh earned his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series and brings aggressive striking with genuine knockout power. His most recent fight resulted in a knockout loss to Charles Johnson, but he now has nothing to lose against a former champion.
Experts predict Moreno will win by either submission or decision, citing his veteran experience and grappling control over a short-notice challenger. The former champion’s Octagon IQ and championship experience give him clear advantages in tactical awareness and pacing.
Full Card Features Local Talent
The co-main event pairs Marlon “Chito” Vera against David Martinez in a bantamweight bout. Vera enters as the favorite based on his volume striking and veteran defense against the less experienced Martinez.
Mexico’s Daniel Zellhuber faces Bobby Green in a lightweight showcase bout on the main card. The matchup pits the rising Mexican prospect’s technical skills against the savvy American veteran’s wild striking style.
Edgar Cháirez meets Felipe Bunes in a flyweight bout, while Imanol Rodriguez takes on Kevin Borjas in another flyweight matchup to round out the main card. Both fights feature technical fighters expected to rely on cardio and wrestling.
The preliminary card features eight additional bouts showcasing Mexican and Latin American fighters across multiple weight classes. Santiago Luna faces Angel Pacheco in a bantamweight bout, while Cristian Quinonez meets Kris Moutinho in the same division.
Douglas Silva de Andrade fights Javier Reyes at bantamweight, and Ernesta Kareckaite takes on Sofia Montenegro in women’s flyweight action. Erik Silva versus Francis Marshall at featherweight and two middleweight bouts between Wes Schultz-Damian Pinas and José Medina-Ryan Gandra complete the preliminary lineup.
The event marks UFC’s continued investment in Mexico City as a key market following previous Arena CDMX shows. A Moreno victory would keep him in the immediate title conversation, while a Kavanagh upset would instantly insert a new name into the flyweight rankings discussion.
The full 13-fight card streams exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States, with regional broadcasters varying internationally. Fight week could bring minor changes to the exact bout order and matchups on the preliminary card.
