“Just be myself,” he said when asked what he needs to do in order to garner the biggest win of his career this weekend. “Me and my team have worked really hard. I enjoy every moment in there, (so I) just go and enjoy it. I’m always looking for a finish and that’s what I’ve come here to do.
“It’s gonna feel amazing,” Kavanagh added, visualizing standing triumphant in the center of the Octagon to close out the evening in Mexico City. “I’ve said it time and time again, I’ve prayed for moments like this, I’ve prayed for opportunities like this, so when they come about, I’m taking them and I’m gonna make it work.”
Watch This And Every UFC Event On Paramount+
Should he make the most of this assignment and get himself back into the win column on Saturday, it will send another shockwave through the flyweight rankings, and though he’s focused exclusively on making that happen this weekend, the larger goal and answer to “What comes next?” is already locked and loaded.
“For me, I like to take it one fight at a time,” started Kavanagh when asked to forecast his ideal future. “I’ll go back with the coaches after, discuss what’s next, but like I said, I wanna get to the top as quick as I can, so whatever is next, I’m willing to do.”
Steve Latrell contributed to this story