Kavanagh Takes Royval Lessons Into UFC 333 Clash With Temirov

Lone'er Kavanagh says the decision-making lapses that led to his submission loss to Brandon Royval are the exact thing he has corrected ahead of his UFC 333 fight against Ramazan Temirov this Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

Kavanagh, fighting on the main card, called the Royval fight a learning experience rather than a setback to dwell on. "It's about decision making," Kavanagh said. "Making the right decisions at the right point, not rushing. I felt like I rushed a little bit on certain aspects. I made the wrong decisions elsewhere and it's just learning from those." He added that facing a veteran like Royval gave him valuable experience even in defeat, saying it was "all XP at the end of the day."

What Did Brandon Royval Say About Lone'er Kavanagh?

Brandon Royval called Lone'er Kavanagh a future UFC champion after beating him by third-round submission, and Kavanagh says he understood where the praise came from despite the loss. "Brandon's a nice guy. I do appreciate him saying that, but at the same time it didn't go my way, so I focus on those things," Kavanagh said. It's a notable endorsement given Royval's standing as one of the flyweight division's longest-tenured contenders, and it reflects how much respect Kavanagh has earned in the cage even in a losing effort.

Why This Fight With Ramazan Temirov Matters

Kavanagh's matchup with Ramazan Temirov is a genuine crossroads fight for both undefeated-in-the-UFC prospects at 125 pounds. Temirov is 3-0 inside the octagon, coming off a highlight-reel knockout of former title challenger Steve Erceg, and he already owns a win over Charles Johnson, the same fighter who beat Kavanagh in 2025. Kavanagh, meanwhile, is 1-2 in his last three against elite flyweight names Moreno, Royval and Johnson, but the one win was a legitimate upset over two-time champion Brandon Moreno. That result is why the division still views him as a live threat despite the uneven record against the division's top tier.

Stylistically, Kavanagh expects a clean contrast in approaches. "You can definitely see he's got dynamite in his hands. Likes to come forward and throw big shots, looping shots," Kavanagh said of Temirov. "I think that's what makes it so exciting... Power vs. speed almost kind of thing. I like to think I've got power in my hands as well, so it will be a good fight to watch."

Betting Angle

This is the kind of matchup oddsmakers and sharp bettors will treat as a true pick'em type of fight rather than a lopsided favorite situation, given Temirov's perfect UFC run against Kavanagh's uneven but credential-heavy resume. Temirov's knockout power and finishing instincts make him live in any live-underdog or method-of-victory market, while Kavanagh's speed and ability to change levels give him a path if the fight hits the second or third round. Bettors leaning Kavanagh are essentially betting that his lessons from the Royval loss, particularly around pacing and not rushing exchanges, show up in real time against a come-forward puncher like Temirov. A loss here would be his third in four UFC outings, which makes this as close to a must-win gatekeeper fight as exists in a stacked flyweight division right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lone'er Kavanagh fighting at UFC 333?

Lone'er Kavanagh fights Ramazan Temirov on the main card of UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.

What did Brandon Royval say about Lone'er Kavanagh?

Brandon Royval called Lone'er Kavanagh a future UFC champion after submitting him in the third round in their previous fight.

What is Ramazan Temirov's UFC record?

Ramazan Temirov is 3-0 in the UFC, including a knockout win over former title challenger Steve Erceg and a win over Charles Johnson.