Get the full Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson prediction, betting picks, prop bets and same-fight parlay ideas for UFC Shanghai.
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Shanghai Indoor Stadium will host UFC Fight Night: Walker vs Zhang. The Preliminary Card kicks off with an intriguing flyweight clash between the undefeated English prospect Lone’er Kavanagh (9-0) and gritty American veteran Charles Johnson (17-7).
Kavanagh, just 25 years old, is one of the UFC’s most hyped new talents. His clean 9-0 record, 50% striking accuracy, and perfect 100% takedown defense make him a nightmare matchup for most flyweights. Across the cage, Johnson represents experience and danger—owning 7 KO wins and 3 submissions—but enters this bout as a sizable underdog after struggling against top-tier opposition.
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📺 Where to Watch UFC Shanghai: Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson? (Aug 23, 2025)
Event | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs Zhang |
Date | Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 |
Venue | Shanghai Indoor Stadium, China |
Time | Preliminary Card – 7:00 AM UTC (3:00 PM local) |
Broadcast | ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass |
💰 Betting Odds
Fighter | FanDuel | DraftKings | BetMGM |
Lone’er Kavanagh | -245 | -218 | -250 |
Charles Johnson | +186 | +180 | +200 |
- Best value for Kavanagh: DraftKings (-218)
- Best value for Johnson: BetMGM (+200)
📊 Fighter Comparison – Tale of the Tape
Lone’er Kavanagh | Charles Johnson | |
Age | 25 | 34 |
Record | 9-0 (2-0 UFC) | 17-7 (6-5 UFC) |
Style | Kickboxer | Boxer/Wrestler |
Striking Accuracy | 50% | 50% |
Takedown Defense | 100% | 67% |
Avg Fight Time | 10:48 | 13:38 |
🔎 Fight Breakdown
- Kavanagh’s Edge: Youth, precision striking, and a flawless takedown defense. His pace and cardio allow him to outpoint opponents and pressure them with combinations.
- Johnson’s Path to Victory: Leans on his veteran savvy and power. With 7 career knockouts, he can still finish fights, but against a prospect this defensively sharp, the knockout window may be slim.
- X-Factor: Experience. Johnson has been through UFC battles with killers like Mudaerji and Van, while Kavanagh is still untested against ranked opposition. If the fight goes deep, Johnson’s gas tank and grit could come into play.
🔥 Best Bets
Bet | Odds | Reasoning |
Lone’er Kavanagh ML | -218 (DraftKings) | Best line for the favorite, projected ~70% win probability. |
Kavanagh by Decision | +135 | Johnson is tough and durable—4 of his 5 UFC losses came by decision. |
Fight Goes the Distance | -150 | Both fighters tend to go the scorecards; Kavanagh averages 11 mins, Johnson 13+ mins. |
Charles Johnson by KO | +500 | The only realistic upset path is landing something big. Worth a small sprinkle. |
🔥 Prop Bets to Target
Prop Bet | Odds (Est.) | Why It Makes Sense |
Fight Goes the Distance | -150 | Both fighters are durable; Johnson has only 1 stoppage loss in UFC. |
Kavanagh by Decision | +135 | Likely outcome — Kavanagh wins with volume striking & takedown defense. |
Kavanagh by KO/TKO | +300 | Outside chance if his pace breaks Johnson late. |
Johnson by KO/TKO | +500 | Veteran’s best shot is landing a bomb early. |
Johnson by Submission | +900 | Longshot, but experience edge gives him grappling upside. |
Over 2.5 Rounds | -165 | Kavanagh fights average ~11 mins, Johnson ~13+ mins. |
Kavanagh to Win & Over 2.5 Rounds | +170 | Combines favorite outcome with Johnson’s durability. |
📈 $1,000 Bet Payouts
- $1,000 on Kavanagh ML (-218) → $1,458 total return ($458 profit)
- $1,000 on Johnson ML (+200) → $3,000 total return ($2,000 profit)
🧾 ClutchBuzz Prediction
Kavanagh’s youth, speed, and defensive sharpness are likely too much for Johnson at this stage. Expect the English prospect to control range with crisp striking, stuff takedowns, and win the majority of exchanges. Johnson is always dangerous, but unless he lands a knockout punch, this looks like another step forward for Kavanagh.
🔮 Prediction: Lone’er Kavanagh via Unanimous Decision
💰 Best Bet: Kavanagh ML (-218) & Kavanagh by Decision (+135)