The UFC is again in Mexico for an action-packed struggle evening, which takes place at Enviornment CDMX, the place Brandon Moreno will make his third consecutive annual headliner at Mexico City.
‘The Murderer Child’ is ready to tackle Lone’er Kavanagh, who steps in on three weeks’ discover after the unique opponent, Asu Almabayev, withdrew from the struggle resulting from injury.
Each males are in want of redeeming themselves after struggling knockout losses of their final bout, however the Englishman has the last word alternative to re-enter the rankings and defeat a former champion in his fourth UFC look.
Here’s what you’ll want to know concerning the attention-grabbing headliner, in addition to 5 different matchups you can’t afford to overlook at UFC Mexico Metropolis.
Moreno eyes return to the win column in dwelling territory
The Mexican blended martial artist was stopped for the primary time in his profession in his most up-to-date battle, dropping to Tatsuro Taira by second-round TKO at UFC 323.
It might be a painful loss for the 32-year-old, as not solely was the stoppage untimely on the referee’s discretion, but it surely additionally allowed Taira to earn the subsequent flyweight title shot towards Joshua Van, one thing which Moreno had closely missed out on.
Moreno was on the rise to getting again to championship rivalry earlier than his contest in Las Vegas, claiming back-to-back unanimous choice victories towards Amir Albazi at UFC Edmonton and Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico Metropolis.
The flyweight veteran now has to defend his #6 rating earlier than contemplating his alternative to regain the 125-pound throne.
The Fortis MMA fighter has a unique take a look at than traditional as he doesn’t face a prime contender however an unranked opponent as a substitute, which is uncommon territory for The Murderer Child.
The previous two-time UFC Flyweight Champion has earned exceptional stoppage wins over Deiveson Figueiredo, Brandon Royval, and Kai Kara-France, proving to be the most effective.
The Tijuana-born warrior has 23 victories in his MMA profession, together with 5 KO/TKO wins and 11 submissions, making him a well-balanced fighter.
If Moreno needs to quickly return to the title image, he should pull off an announcement triumph which could have the entire Mexican crowd going wild for one among their very own.
An enormous alternative lands for Kavanagh
The Londoner’s undefeated report got here to an finish when he was knocked out within the second spherical by Charles Johnson at UFC Shanghai, dropping him out of the flyweight prime 15.
The 26-year-old turned a rising star after his work at Cage Warriors, incomes 4 straight victories with the promotion.
Kavanagh was given a UFC contract in August 2024 when he defeated An Tuan Ho by first-round knockout on Dana White’s Contender Sequence.
The English blended martial artist was initially scheduled to face the #14 contender Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 114, however determined to tackle a larger problem with much less time to arrange.
Kavanagh’s UFC journey began properly earlier than his unlucky loss in Shanghai, incomes a unanimous choice win on his debut at UFC Macau towards Jose Ochoa.
The Orthodox fighter then acquired the possibility to struggle in his hometown at UFC London, the place he went the space with Felipe Dos Santos to win by unanimous choice.
The previous 125-pound contender has 5 finishes on his MMA report, claiming 4 knockouts and one submission in his seven-year profession.
UFC Mexico Metropolis will likely be a particular expertise for Kavanagh as he headlines his first-ever occasion, whereas taking up a extremely recognised former champion, as he may trigger an enormous upset within the making.
5 Different Unimaginable Matchups at Enviornment CDMX
Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera vs David Martinez
Dropping streak vs profitable streak, veteran vs prospect, an eye catching co-main occasion that has all of the makings of a robust contender for a Battle of the Night time bonus.
Vera has suffered three consecutive losses and is determined to bounce again, with all of his defeats ending in choices towards Figueiredo, Aiemann Zahabi, and Sean O’Malley.
Martinez has solely made two appearances and has already turn out to be the #10 bantamweight contender when he defeated Rob Font by unanimous choice at UFC Noche.
The Mexican is aiming to increase his triumphant streak to 10 and add one other credible identify to his report, however, the Ecuadorian has confronted many strikers and should get the higher as he’s earned 18 finishes from 23 profession wins.
Daniel Zellhuber vs King Inexperienced
A light-weight matchup that ought to carry loads of leisure as a Mexican blended martial artist takes on a former contender.
Zellhuber is at the moment on back-to-back losses with a unanimous choice defeat to Michael Johnson and a cut up choice loss to Esteban Ribovics, which was a nominee for Battle of the 12 months in 2024.
Inexperienced discovered redemption in his final bout when he did sufficient to safe a cut up choice victory over Lance Gibson Jr at UFC Vegas 112, whereas holding the sixth most fights within the 155-pound division.
Each males generally maintain their battles on the toes, aiming for a knockout win, however occasionally, they are going to attempt to sneak a submission if the chance presents itself.
Santiago Luna vs Ángel Pacheco
Two bantamweight fighters have a 100% end price, which implies it’s very probably a stoppage will likely be concerned on this contest.
Luna is undefeated and made it seven victories on his debut at Noche UFC, knocking out Quang Le in spherical one because the 21-year-old has three knockouts and 4 submissions on his MMA report.
Pacheco’s final bout was on his debut at UFC Atlantic Metropolis in March 2024, the place he suffered a unanimous choice defeat to Caolan Loughran, however don’t neglect he’s earned 5 knockouts and two submissions whereas by no means being on the receiving finish of a end.
Often, a matchup between two newcomers doesn’t decide up quite a lot of curiosity, however these two blended martial artists need to finish it early and shock the group.
Ailin Perez vs Macy Chiasson
An intriguing bout within the ladies’s bantamweight division sees two contenders go head-to-head of their quest to succeed in the highest 5 of the rankings.
Perez is on a five-fight win streak, however has not fought since January 2025, when she defeated Karol Rosa by unanimous choice at UFC 311.
Chiasson had a foul yr in 2025, struggling back-to-back unanimous choice losses towards present top-five contenders Ketlen Vieira and Yana Santos.
This explicit struggle ought to achieve some focus within the prelims as a rising Argentinian star comes face-to-face with the Final Fighter: Season 28 winner.
Cristian Quinonez vs Kris Moutinho
It’s a battle for redemption at 135 kilos, as each males hope to succeed at Enviornment CDMX after making solely three appearances with the promotion.
Quinonez has suffered two consecutive submission losses, along with his most up-to-date coming in February 2024, when he misplaced to Raoni Barcelos within the third spherical at UFC Mexico Metropolis.
Moutinho has but to be victorious within the UFC, particularly when he made his return in Atlanta, as he misplaced by first-round knockout to Malcolm Wellmaker.
It’s an ideal alternative for one among these warriors to bounce again after their struggles within the UFC, however who will make it rely on Saturday evening?
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