On week one of Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, undefeated flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh earned himself a UFC contract following a brutal knockout of An Tuan Ho in the first round.
At just 25 years old, Lone’er Kavanagh captured the attention of MMA fans around the world a few weeks ago, when he knocked out fellow prospect An Tuan Ho in the first fight of this season’s Dana White’s Contender Series.
Of course, following the brutal knockout, the Londoner was offered a contract by UFC CEO Dana White, and he makes a very exciting addition to the 125lb division which is already full of prospects.
Lone’er Kavanagh targets UFC title win within 2 years of being in the UFC
Kavanagh’s star-making performance has gotten a lot of people excited about his upcoming tenure in the UFC, and the 25-year-old is hopeful that within two years of being with the UFC, he will be fighting for the flyweight title.
“For me, I’ve already told my manager, I’ve already told Jose and the guys at First Round Management, my goal is to become UFC champion within two years, so whatever I have to do to get there, I’m ready for it, I’ll take fights. I’m not here to stick about I want to get to the top as fast as I can,” Kavanagh told MMAJunkie.
Alexandre Pantoja is the current king of the division and he is constantly crying out for new challengers as he continues to have to defend his title in rematches.
Kavanagh isn’t too concerned by who will be the champion come his two-year goal, and he may even end up meeting fellow undefeated contender, Tatsuro Taira for the title in the future.
“Obviously fighting Pantoja would be sweet, I think he’s a great fighter, I think everyone in the flyweight division is a great fighter but yeah, my goal is solely to get the belt so whoever has got it at the time I don’t care,” Kavanagh added.
Pantoja’s next title defense still undecided with another newcomer rumored for title fight debut
The Brazilian champion is yet to have his next title defense booked and following Kai Kara-France‘s recent first-round knockout win over Steve Erceg at UFC 305, he could’ve caused a shake-up in the division.
Earlier this year, the UFC signed former RIZIN bantamweight Kai Asakura to the promotion and rumors began to circulate that his promotional debut would be against ‘The Cannibal’ for the flyweight title.
Despite that, his debut is yet to be announced but if the UFC does decide to hand him a title shot, it will make for a new matchup for the 34-year-old champion.
24-year-old Japanese contender, Taira, is scheduled to take on Brandon Royval in what is likely a number one contender fight in October, and it will mark back-to-back main events for the young Japanese prospect.
If Pantoja doesn’t defend his title again before the end of the year, Taira could also change the UFC’s plan with an impressive win over Royval.