Lone’er Kavanagh leaves UFC boss open-mouthed in amazement as Brit earns UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series

They call Dana White’s Contender Series “the world’s toughest job interview,” and in his big interview for a job on the world stage, Lone’er Kavanagh got the gig after a performance that left the UFC bosses open-mouthed in amazement.

The opening fight of the night delivered the highlight-reel moment against which all other knockouts this season will be judged, as Cage Warriors flyweight contender Kavanagh delivered a stunning one-punch knockout of fellow undefeated flyweight finisher An Tuan Ho.

After a feeling out period that saw both men land kicks from range, Kavanagh set his range and teased Ho with a series of feints to bring the former LFA prospect out of his shell. Then, when Ho launched forward in attack, Kavanagh struck.

A perfectly-timed counter left hook connected clean on Ho’s temple and knocked him out instantly. There were a couple of scary minutes as Ho laid on the canvas, completely unconscious, as medics attempted to bring the Vietnamese-American prospect back round. Thankfully, Ho was eventually up on his feet and able to shake hands with Kavanagh.

But the finish, which drew a stunned reaction from UFC CEO Dana White and matchmakers Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby, was more than enough to see Kavanagh awarded a UFC contract, and the English flyweight looks set to be a serious problem for anyone he faces at 125 pounds.

“That’s my job description. I’m a fighter. I love fighting,” Kavanagh told Laura Sanko immediately after his win.

“But I also love entertaining, and I hope for the fans that was entertaining.

“I have a little slogan, ‘Ninja S**t Only’. So that’s what it was!”

Kavanagh also revealed what Dana White showed him on his notepad as he walked past the UFC boss after his victory.

“He showed me his notes, and it just said, ‘HOLY S**T!’ I think that’s a good thing – I’ll take that!”

After the five-fight card had finished, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the night’s contract winners, with Kavanagh at the top of the list. Joining him in the UFC were three of the other four of the night’s winners Jose Delgado, Bruno Lopes and Mansur Abdul-Malik.

And Kavanagh signed off on an incredible night’s work in his final interview with Laura Sanko, as the Great Britain Top Team prospect offered a hint of what’s to come.

“A lot of people say the flyweight division is a little bit boring,” he said.

“I can make it exciting again.”

DWCS Season 8, Week 1: Official results

• Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Wes Schultz via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 3:55
• Rami Hamed def. Meng Ding via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
• Bruno Lopes def. Mikheil Sazhiniani via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:14
• Jose Delgado def. Ernie Juarez via knockout (knee) – Round 2, 1:25
• Lone’er Kavanagh def. An Tuan Ho via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:35