​LAS VEGAS — Former champion Brandon Moreno brings a unique perspective into a pivotal flyweight bout headlining UFC 329, where Lone’er Kavanagh and Brandon Royval collide in the second fight on the main card at T-Mobile Arena. Moreno has faced both men in recent competition, giving him a seasoned read on what each fighter can bring inside the cage and why this matchup matters for the division as contenders chase a potential title shot.
Moreno faced Royval in February 2024 and later locked horns with Kavanagh in February as well. While the scorecards didn’t lean in Moreno’s favor in either instance, the experience provided him with valuable insights into the strengths and vulnerabilities of each opponent. Oddsmakers have installed Kavanagh as the favorite to win this clash, a view Moreno concurs with, though he emphasizes that fights can unfold in unpredictable ways once the bell rings.
“Obviously, I have a nice insight because I fought against both,” Moreno told MMA Junkie and other reporters on the red carpet before the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony. “For the side of Brandon Royval, maybe he doesn’t have the best moment right now with two losses in a row—the last one, somewhat decisively against Manel Kape. On the other side, you have Lone’er Kavanagh, and I think he showed to the world and to the company how professional he is. He stepped in on short notice for our Mexico City bout, and he was ready to rock.”
Moreno notes that Kavanagh’s preparation and readiness under pressure stand out, and he acknowledges the reasons fans might view the favorite’s role as warranted. “So, I think Lone’er is the favorite for this fight for a reason. The only thing I can add to that is that once Brandon Royval finds his rhythm and timing in the middle of the fight, he becomes incredibly dangerous to slow down. It’s really hard to stop him. We’ll see how it plays out.”
That said, Moreno isn’t predicting a straightforward outcome. He envisions intrigue if Royval can push a grind-out pace that tests Kavanagh’s cardio, something Moreno believes could tilt the balance if Royval sustains pressure and endurance over the course of the bout. He points to Kavanagh’s lone career loss—an August defeat to Charles Johnson—as a data point that suggests cardio and pace might be decisive factors when Royval pushes the action.
“I think something I wasn’t able to do against Lone’er Kavanagh was to close the distance to test his cardio, but Brandon is really good at doing that,” Moreno explained. “He has a really good chin, he knows how to put pressure, maybe test Lone’er’s cardio, and see what happens. Against Charles Johnson, at the end, Johnson started to come back in the second round after Kavanagh had tried to impose more pressure. Let’s see.”
Moreno’s assessment underscores the strategic nuance he sees in the matchup: a battle where Royval’s pace could challenge Kavanagh’s stamina, altering the dynamic of the fight if the pace becomes relentless. Meanwhile, Kavanagh’s versatility and readiness, especially on short notice, could favor him if he can withstand the initial pressure and seize opportunities as the fight unfolds.
As UFC 329 approaches, the flyweight division stands at a crucial juncture. The outcome of the Royval-Kavanagh pairing matters not only for their immediate standings but also for how the division’s contenders plot a path toward a championship opportunity. Moreno’s firsthand knowledge of both fighters adds a layer of context to the expectations, even as he refrains from predicting a guaranteed outcome. The nuance he brings—rooted in direct experience against Royval and Kavanagh—serves as a reminder that in this weight class, strategy, pace, and the ability to adapt mid-fight often determine the winner just as much as raw power or technique. This fight represents a meaningful step in the ongoing quest to reach the flyweight title picture, making Moreno’s insights particularly relevant as fans and bettors analyze the card.