Lone’er Kavanagh survives nasty cut to remain undefeated after bloody UFC London affair
Lone’er Kavanagh survived a nasty first-round cut at UFC London to defeat Felipe Dos Santos. Kavanagh was on the receiving end of some nasty elbows from the Brazilian but won the later rounds to secure a unanimous decision win. Kavanagh is still undefeated in pro MMAGetty The London man remains undefeated in professional MMA having won both of his bouts in the UFC. Speaking after his bloody affair with Michael Bisping, Kavanagh credited his coach, MMA veteran Brad Pickett, and showed his appreciation to the London crowd who cheered for him the entire fight. Dos Santos had a clear height advantage over the Brit that was obvious from the first bell as Kavanagh struggled to find his reach over the Brazilian. A nasty right hand from Dos Santos had Kavanagh stumbling and eventually opened the 25-year-old up with an elbow that grazes the head of his opponent slightly. Dos Santos knew he won the first round and came out swinging leg kicks in the second. The London crowd erupted when both men stood toe-to-toe and traded blows reminiscent of Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje’s final seconds at UFC 300. Kavanagh was leaking heavy as the third round approach, but found success with his hands and slammed the Brazilian to the canvas to take control of his back. In the third, Dos Santos’ shorts had gone from white to red and it wasn’t long before Kavanagh’s clean face was bloody and the crimson red appearded again. Kavanagh scored a takedown around the midway point and proceeded to control Dos Santos on the ground and in the clinch, landing some damaging strikes which arguably won him the fight. All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in favour of Kavanagh, who totalled over six minutes of control time during the three-round. TNT SportsKavanagh was badly cut, but fought hard to earn the decision win[/caption] Kavanagh is now 10-0 in MMAGetty Kavanagh, 25, was fighting just his second fight in the UFC after emerging through Dana White’s Contender Series last year. Standing at 5’4″ and weighing 125 pounds, Kavanagh fights out of GB Top Team under the guidance of coaches Ashleigh Grimshaw, Carlton Lieu, and Pickett. Known for his well-rounded skills, Kavanagh has a strong background in both kickboxing and Muay Thai and holds a black belt in the former discipline. He started his combat sports journey at the age of eight in kickboxing, a sport his mother introduced him to. Kavanagh has since built a solid career, turning professional in 2019. With an undefeated professional MMA record of 9-0 now, he has demonstrated his striking prowess, securing four wins by knockout, one by submission, and two first-round finishes. Kavanagh survived Dos Santos’ early onslaught to prevail at UFC LondonGetty His UFC debut in November 2024 saw him secure a unanimous decision victory over Jose Ochoa. Prior to this, Kavanagh left UFC CEO White gobsmacked when he displayed his knockout power Contender Series, with a first-round KO over An Tuan Ho. Before pursuing a professional MMA career, he worked as a coach and personal trainer and holds a degree in sports science. Kavanagh admires fighters like Israel Adesanya for his style and Holloway for his toughness.
Lone’er Kavanagh survived a nasty first-round cut at UFC London to defeat Felipe Dos Santos.
Kavanagh was on the receiving end of some nasty elbows from the Brazilian but won the later rounds to secure a unanimous decision win.
The London man remains undefeated in professional MMA having won both of his bouts in the UFC.
Speaking after his bloody affair with Michael Bisping, Kavanagh credited his coach, MMA veteran Brad Pickett, and showed his appreciation to the London crowd who cheered for him the entire fight.
Dos Santos had a clear height advantage over the Brit that was obvious from the first bell as Kavanagh struggled to find his reach over the Brazilian.
A nasty right hand from Dos Santos had Kavanagh stumbling and eventually opened the 25-year-old up with an elbow that grazes the head of his opponent slightly.
Dos Santos knew he won the first round and came out swinging leg kicks in the second.
The London crowd erupted when both men stood toe-to-toe and traded blows reminiscent of Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje’s final seconds at UFC 300.
Kavanagh was leaking heavy as the third round approach, but found success with his hands and slammed the Brazilian to the canvas to take control of his back.
In the third, Dos Santos’ shorts had gone from white to red and it wasn’t long before Kavanagh’s clean face was bloody and the crimson red appearded again.
Kavanagh scored a takedown around the midway point and proceeded to control Dos Santos on the ground and in the clinch, landing some damaging strikes which arguably won him the fight.
All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in favour of Kavanagh, who totalled over six minutes of control time during the three-round.
Kavanagh, 25, was fighting just his second fight in the UFC after emerging through Dana White’s Contender Series last year.
Standing at 5’4″ and weighing 125 pounds, Kavanagh fights out of GB Top Team under the guidance of coaches Ashleigh Grimshaw, Carlton Lieu, and Pickett.
Known for his well-rounded skills, Kavanagh has a strong background in both kickboxing and Muay Thai and holds a black belt in the former discipline.
He started his combat sports journey at the age of eight in kickboxing, a sport his mother introduced him to.
Kavanagh has since built a solid career, turning professional in 2019.
With an undefeated professional MMA record of 9-0 now, he has demonstrated his striking prowess, securing four wins by knockout, one by submission, and two first-round finishes.
His UFC debut in November 2024 saw him secure a unanimous decision victory over Jose Ochoa.
Prior to this, Kavanagh left UFC CEO White gobsmacked when he displayed his knockout power Contender Series, with a first-round KO over An Tuan Ho.
Before pursuing a professional MMA career, he worked as a coach and personal trainer and holds a degree in sports science.
Kavanagh admires fighters like Israel Adesanya for his style and Holloway for his toughness.
