Ultimate prodigy reveals meeting with Topuria backstage at UFC London: 'What's going on here?'

Ilia Topuria is a former UFC featherweight champion. Photo: Instagram / UFC

On the preliminary card of UFC London, an English prospect shone. Lon'ner Kavanagh bled, showed resilience and won Lip Detona in the judges' decision. Furthermore, the prodigy's performance was so good that it earned praise from one of his biggest MMA idols.

In a press conference after the event, Kavanagh revealed that he was a great admirer of Ilia Topuria and said he was surprised and excited to see the former champion entering the locker room and praising his fighting style.

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“I’m a huge fan. I love watching his fights. I’ll watch his highlights and then all of a sudden he’ll come into the locker room and say he likes my style. I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ It was amazing. He had nothing but good things to say. He’s an amazing guy,” Kavanagh said.

Kavanagh made it clear that his goal is to grow in the sport in an exciting way. Passionate about fighting, he emphasized that, in addition to seeking the top, he also wants to entertain the public throughout his career.

“That’s the plan. At the end of the day, I love fighting. I know we’re in the same business, so if I can be entertaining while I climb to the top, I’m all in,” concluded the British prospect.

Signed through the Contender Series, Kavanagh reached the mark of nine career victories at the age of 25, this being his second in the UFC.