The UFC Fight Night in Mexico City on February 28, 2026, highlights Brandon Moreno's return to his home country against short-notice opponent Lone'er Kavanagh in the flyweight main event. The card at Arena CDMX features 13 bouts, including a bantamweight co-main between Marlon Vera and David Martinez. Streaming live on Paramount+ from 5 p.m. ET for prelims and 8 p.m. ET for the main card.
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh takes place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The event underscores the promotion's focus on the Mexican market, with multiple local fighters on the 13-fight card spanning seven weight classes.
In the main event, former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno (23-9-2) faces Lone'er Kavanagh (9-1-0) in a five-round flyweight bout. Moreno, ranked No. 6 in the division, seeks to rebound from a 2-3 record in his last five fights since July 2023, including split-decision losses to Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval, and a first-round knockout defeat to Tatsuro Taira in December. Originally scheduled against Asu Almabayev, who withdrew due to a hand injury, Moreno now meets the 26-year-old English prospect Kavanagh on about two weeks' notice. Kavanagh, who earned his UFC contract via Dana White's Contender Series, holds unanimous decision wins over Felipe dos Santos and Jose Ochoa, but suffered a second-round knockout loss to Charles Johnson in August. Analysts note Moreno's experience and volume striking as advantages, though concerns linger about his recent durability, while Kavanagh's aggressive style and knockout power pose upset potential.
The co-main event pits Marlon Vera (23-11-1) against David Martinez (13-1-0) at bantamweight. The 33-year-old Vera, on a three-fight losing skid since March 2024, faces 27-year-old prospect Martinez, who debuted with a knockout of Saimon Oliveira in March and a unanimous decision over Rob Font in September.
Other notable matchups include lightweight bout Daniel Zellhuber versus Bobby Green, and flyweight clash Edgar Chairez against Felipe Bunes. The prelims emphasize regional talent with Mexican and Latin American fighters. Vegas odds favor most home or favored fighters, with Moreno at -205 and Martinez at -290, reflecting a lopsided card overall.
This event positions Moreno for title contention with a win, while showcasing emerging prospects and deepening UFC's presence in Mexico City.
