Johnson Survived Kavanagh’s Fast Start
Charles Johnson knocked out Lone’er Kavanagh on August 23, 2025, at UFC Shanghai. The flyweight contest ended at 4:35 of the second round after Johnson overturned a difficult opening stretch against an unbeaten prospect entering with nine professional victories.
Kavanagh’s speed established the early advantage
Kavanagh landed quick kicks and combinations to the body and head. A short left hook and a later uppercut helped him control much of the opening round while Johnson struggled to settle into his own attacks.
Johnson tried clinching to interrupt that rhythm, but Kavanagh separated and resumed striking. The younger fighter’s speed created a demanding first five minutes for the ranked veteran.
The wrestling exchanges required another adjustment
Johnson pursued takedowns in the second round and encountered guillotine threats. Kavanagh also completed a takedown of his own before the fighters returned to their feet.
As the round progressed, Johnson began finding more success against an opponent whose pace had slowed. Pressure near the fence created opportunities that had been harder to locate during the opening exchanges.
One right hand ended the unbeaten run
Johnson stepped into range with a powerful right that dropped Kavanagh. Follow-up punches completed the knockout, giving the veteran a decisive result after his early difficulties.
The victory added another notable prospect to Johnson’s list of defeated opponents, which already included Joshua Van and Jake Hadley. Kavanagh’s first professional loss came through a sudden finish in a contest he had initially controlled, underlining how quickly the momentum could change at flyweight.
