Lone’er Kavanagh proclaimed “my life is a movie” after making a successful move from the small screen to the big as he starred at his UFC premiere.
And that will please the man that discovered him, Dana White, while a future biopic could also land lookalike Tanner Buchanan another action-packed role. The Londoner made his name on White’s Contender Series TV show in August when his highlight reel knockout of An Tuan Ho saw him earn a contract and leave the UFC president shouting: “Holy s***!”
The flyweight was then handed his first big role at the Galaxy Arena in Macau, China, last weekend against fellow debutant Jose Ochoa. In a tight and entertaining contest, Kavanagh got the nod from the judges to extend his MMA record to 8-0, while giving a glimpse of the star power many commentators see in the 25-year-old.
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After his breakthrough performance, Kavanagh, who has an uncanny resemblance to Cobra Kai star Buchanan, said: “There have been so many highlights to this week that it feels like I am in a movie.
“It feels like my life is a movie – and luckily I get to be the main character in this movie. I am very thankful for it. I want to thank everyone that has made this happen and thank God as well.
(Image: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“It feels amazing. I don’t know how to put together the words to describe it. All I can say is that I have got a dream team (South London’s GB Top Team) and that was a dream start for me. I just want to say thank you to the UFC for giving me this opportunity and I hope to be back soon.”
Kavanagh, who has been training in combat sports since he was eight, before making his name in MMA with Cage Warriors, displayed some of his ‘ninja s*** only’ philosophy against Ochoa, but knows there is plenty more to come.
Ahead of a potential sequel in the capital next March, he added: “The game plan was to chop the legs and chop the body and then go for the head. “However, Jose was a tough opponent, so it didn’t go the way I wanted because, for me, I am always looking for the finish.
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“But it was all experience, at the end of the day, under my belt and so I am happy. I am going to go back with my coaches and build on it. I am looking to forever get better and these are the fights you can really learn from.
“And I have heard the UFC are coming to London, so if they want me on the card, I’d love to fight on it.”
UP NEXT : UFC 310, Sunday, December 8, 3am. Alexandre Pantoja puts his flyweight title on the line against fast-tracked Japanese star Kai Asakura.
MONEY MATCH : Alexander Volkov (15/8) is on a hot streak at heavyweight and can outpoint the inconsistent Ciryl Gane.
FINAL SAY : “We are in negotiations right now, is the honest answer, so we don’t know when the fight will be. But I’ll be ready to go whenever.” Interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall on his potential fight with Jon Jones.