Ilia Topuria Co-signed Undefeated Star Lone’er Kavanagh Suffers Brutal KO Defeat at UFC Shanghai 

Undefeated fighter, Lone'er Kavanagh, backed by Ilia Topuria, gets knocked out by his opponent at UFC Shanghai. 

Ilia Topuria Co-signed Undefeated Star Lone’er Kavanagh Suffers Brutal KO Defeat at UFC Shanghai 

Lone'er Kavanagh faces defeat at UFC Shanghai (via X)

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Every year, countless fighters chase UFC glory, but only a select few earn opportunities to fight on the grand stage. Among those, rare fighters truly impress fans and experts with unique fighting styles that give them recognition worldwide. Undefeated flyweight sensation Lone’er Kavanagh stood out, earning significant attention and strong backing from reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Topuria is undoubtedly one of the biggest superstars in the current UFC roster and is well known for his knockout power. He represents the new generation of fighters and is highly technical. As a result, his praise for a fighter like Kavanagh was interesting. In his interview with UFC veteran commentator Joe Rogan, Topuria talked about Kavanagh in detail. 

There is a guy coming up in the 125. He fought in the last pay-per-view in London. His last name is Kavanagh. He’s gonna be a problem in that division. He’s very skillfull fighter. 

Ilia Topuria via Joe Rogan Experience 

Following a viral video, Kavanagh expressed excitement and gratitude for Topuria’s supportive comments regarding his promising UFC career trajectory. However, at UFC Shanghai, Kavanagh’s unbeaten record was shattered as Charles Johnson delivered a devastating knockout in the second round’s final minute.

The British prospect dominated the opening round with precise striking, showcasing his technical prowess and confidence, but stamina concerns soon emerged. Johnson exploited this vulnerability perfectly, timing a brutal counter that landed and dramatically ended the contest instantly. This victory marked Johnson’s rebound after a previous decision loss, improving his record and proving his durability in the division.

For Kavanagh, who entered the bout 9-0, the loss halted his rapid rise and exposed vulnerabilities in his defense. The lack of knockout power for the UK star is also concerning as it made the veteran not respect the power and move forward to land the KO strike. Keeping the hands up all the time and an enhanced cardio remains necessary for Kavanagh to become a dangerous contender in the 125-pound division.

Top UFC lightweight provides an update on Ilia Topuria’s return 

At UFC 317, Ilia Topuria shocked the world by knocking out Charles Oliveira in round one to capture lightweight gold. The lightweight division, widely regarded as the UFC’s most competitive, erupted instantly with challenges from Paddy Pimblett, Arman Tsarukyan, and Justin Gaethje.

Ilia Topuria gets a callout from Max Holloway
Ilia Topuria (via X)

Topuria surprisingly expressed interest in fighting Pimblett. It was a decision heavily criticized by fans for overlooking tougher matchups in the division. Critics accused Topuria of strategically avoiding Tsarukyan, whose elite wrestling poses the biggest challenge, igniting debates over his intentions to fight the best.

Tsarukyan, on the other hand, hasn’t fought for more than a year and is desperate to get back. However, Dana White has rejected Tsarukyan fighting for a title next. In a recent interview, the Armenian fighter talked about Topuria’s comeback timeline and his plans later this year. 

(Topuria) wants to come back in January or February. And I haven’t fought in a long time. So I think I’ll need to fight in October or November. And I talked to the boss yesterday. They said maybe they will set up a fight with someone. In Abu Dhabi or in Qatar…maybe Gaethje, maybe (Dan) Hooker, maybe Paddy.

Arman Tsarukyan via Adam Zubayraev

Tsarukyan has relentlessly mocked Topuria online, questioning his wrestling credentials and daring him to accept his title challenge. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan’s rivalry with Paddy Pimblett intensified after the UK star accused him of enjoying a golden spoon start to his career.

In response, Tsarukyan ridiculed Pimblett’s UFC-backed promotional push, claiming he’s manufactured hype without proving himself against top-ranked lightweight contenders yet. Pimblett’s last win was against Michael Chandler, who was on a losing streak.

Adding to the confusion, Gaethje remains firm about wanting nothing but a title shot, escalating tension within the division. With these rivalries brewing simultaneously, the lightweight division stands as the most unpredictable and dramatic in UFC history today.

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