Lone’er Kavanagh Drops Out of Flyweight Rankings Ahead of Moreno Fight
A recent update to the UFC rankings has seen Lone’er Kavanagh removed from the flyweight top 15 just days before his scheduled main event fight against Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight Night in Mexico City on February 28, 2026.1
Kavanagh Steps Up to Face Moreno
Kavanagh was unexpectedly elevated to the main event slot after Asu Almabayev withdrew due to a hand injury.1 He had previously been scheduled to fight Bruno Gustavo da Silva at UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos but pulled out to take the fight against Moreno.1 This bout represents a significant opportunity for Kavanagh, despite coming off his first professional loss to Charles Johnson in August.1
Ranking Shift and Latest Entrants
The UFC rankings update following UFC Houston saw Joseph Morales replace Kavanagh in the flyweight top 15.1 Morales has secured back-to-back wins in his second stint with the promotion.
Other notable changes in the rankings include:
- Middleweight: Sean Strickland remains at #3, even as Anthony Hernandez dropped to #6.
- Welterweight: Uros Medic entered the rankings at #12, replacing Geoff Neal.
- Featherweight: Melquizael Costa entered at #13, displacing Dan Ige.
- Heavyweight: Serghei Spivac moved up to #6 and Ante Delija fell to #10.
- Women’s Flyweight: Joselyne Edwards climbed to #11, while Nora Cornolle dropped to #13.
- Middleweight: Vitor Petrino entered at #15 following Jailton Almeida’s departure.
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh Details
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh (also known as UFC Fight Night 268) will take place on February 28, 2026, at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico.1 This event marks the UFC’s eighth visit to Mexico City and the first since March 2025.1 The main card will be available on Paramount+.2
Key Bouts on the Card:
- Brandon Moreno vs. Lone’er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
- Marlon Vera vs. David Martínez (Bantamweight)
- Daniel Zellhuber vs. King Green (Lightweight)