What To Do After Fight Night Moreno v Kavanaugh

Sportz Nation Staff
Mar 2
5 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 3/2/2026

Lone'er Kavanaugh

vs Brandon Royval

The performance Lone'er Kavanaugh just put on in enemy territory is inspiring. To beat up a former champion and tough guy like Brandon Moreno was awesome to see and should earn him a Top-8 ranking among the Flyweights.

For his next fight, I can see him fighting either Brandon Royval or Amir Albazi. With both men on two-fight skids, I'd normally side with Albazi, who should be #6 or #7 after this weekend but tends to take a long time between fights. Royval is #4 and a big jump for Kavanaugh, but after his win in UFC Mexico, it would be a terrific matchup that should stack the top of the division even more than it is now, which is quickly becoming one of the best in the UFC.

Brandon Moreno

vs Tim Elliot

This was a tough one for Brandon Moreno. Though only 32 years old, he seems like he is on that classic end-of-career slide that most fighters eventually hit.

With that said, I think he still has something left in him. It may not be championship caliber anymore, but enough to still be a gatekeeper of the top 5 in the division. With Tim Elliott coming off a shock submission win his last time out and waiting for his shot, I think he is the perfect candidate for Moreno. It could be an interesting fight on the feet but also a chance for both fighters to prove they belong near the top.

David Martinez

vs Song Yadong

So this matchup was between Yadong and Sandhagen, but I decided after Mario Bautista's win that he should get the higher of the two, which means Martinez matches with Yadong.

Martinez is now 3-0 in the UFC and should earn a #9 ranking after this win. Yadong sits at #5, has lost 2 of his last 3 fights, and needs a fight down to show he deserves his ranking. The fight makes sense in styles as well, with both men much more boxing-oriented, and their war will likely see a tumultuous decision that could go either way.

Marlon "Chito" Vera

vs Raoni Barcelos

I feel like Chito's fights always end the same way; he starts off extremely slow in rounds 1 and 2. However, by the time he turns it up, it is far too late and the fight ends in a decision towards the opponent.

With the slide Vera is experiencing at the moment, an unranked fighter may have to be next for the former championship contender. Raoni Barcelos is the most deserving candidate in my eyes. He has the track record, the skill, and the potential to make real waves in the division. His career revival is deserving of a ranked opponent next, which makes the prospect of a fight against Vera very enticing.

King Green

vs Grant Dawson

I was talked out of my original pick here, which was Michael Chandler. In my opinion, Chandler may never fight for the UFC or at most have one final hurrah, and I feel as though Green would be the perfect finale for him.

The actual matchup I'll make here is with Grant Dawson, who would match Green in a slugfest any day of the week (likely on a Saturday, though). Both of these men are on the cusp of a Top-15 fight, and the winner would put himself on that path next. After his upset win over Zellhuber this weekend, Green is even more likely to stand and bang and "die on his sword," and I really think Grant Dawson would be a fun matchup for that (almost as fun as Chandler would be).

Edgar Chairez

vs Kai Asakura

This fight between Chairez and Bunes was very underwhelming and somehow ended up in Chairez's favor. For someone who talks a big game and expects to be champion by the end of the year, I expected more from Chairez.

Since the outcome of this fight was less than ideal, I don't think Chairez is ready for the rankings just yet. A fight against a sliding Kai Asakura, who is a proven champion outside the UFC, could ultimately propel him into that ranked fight conversation with a win. Regardless, if Chairez wants to achieve his ambitious goals, he has to show more.

Imanol Rodriguez

Ode Osbourne

Rodriguez is now a 7-0, 26-year-old who could have a bright future in the Flyweight division and needs a tougher test for his 2nd UFC fight. A guy like Ode Osbourne, who has faced a lot of great fighters in his 13 UFC fights but has also been on a slump as of late, would be a perfect opponent.

Likewise, it is a necessary fight for Osbourne as well, who has lost 5 of his last 6. These guys both need a change in pace, if you will; Rodriguez needs a fight against a veteran, and Osbourne needs a fight against a rookie. Their clash would be a good mix-up between grappling and kickboxing as well and would truly show if Rodriguez has the promise we all expect him to have.

Ailin Perez

vs Raquel Pennington

Ailin Perez did exactly what everyone expected her to do in this fight. She controlled the entire fight with her grappling while not really attempting any finishes, which ended in her dominating most of this matchup.

Nevertheless, a win is a win, and Perez has mounted a bunch in a row. For me, this win propels her into title-eliminator conversation, making Raquel Pennington an ideal matchup. With Norma Dumont likely getting the next shot after Kayla Harrison faces Amanda Nunes, it seems to me that Pennington and Perez are in similar positions. With Pennington coming off a huge surgery due to injury, her timeline is not yet laid out, but considering when the surgery was done, her and Perez's timelines should match up.

Santiago Luna

vs Ricky Simon

Santiago Luna has star potential written all over him. Granted, this fight was not easy, but he got the job done and is likely a fight away from a ranked opponent.

Considering the track Luna is on and the eagerness the UFC will have to help his upward climb, I think a matchup against a veteran like Ricky Simon is exactly what Luna needs to complete his non-ranked resume. Simon has been on the wrong side of the scorecards lately, but still is a dangerous fighter who sits just outside ranked contention. This fight could propel Luna right towards the rankings in a big way, especially if he can get a finish.