UFC Returns to London as Lerone Murphy Targets Contender Spot
Lerone Murphy could punch his ticket to a title shot if he emerges victorious when the UFC returns to the United Kingdom on Saturday, March 21.
Currently ranked as the third best featherweight in the division, a win in London would push the 34-year-old’s record to an impressive 18-0-1. That would make it incredibly difficult to deny the Manchester-born fighter a contest with reigning 145lbs champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
On the opposite side of the cage, though, stands a formidable opponent with championship aspirations of his own. Movsar Evloev, the current number one contender, has been equally dominant at featherweight, building a 19-0 record.
Murphy and Evloev’s Impressive Records
In many ways, both fighters involved in the main event have enjoyed similar careers within the UFC.
Since a stalemate in his promotional debut against Zubaira Tukhugov at UFC 242 in 2019, Murphy has embarked on an emphatic nine-fight win streak. Most recently, “The Miracle” finished Aaron Pico with a spinning elbow in round one at UFC 319, having previously beaten veteran Josh Emmett by unanimous decision.
Evloev, though, has been equally decisive. Also making his UFC debut in 2019, the 32-year-old has won nine consecutive fights, recording big scalps against former featherweight champion Aljamain Sterling and contender Diego Lopes.
Murphy’s Power Could Ignite Contest
While Evloev has a more perfect record, he is yet to finish an opponent inside the UFC. All of his nine wins have come via the judges’ scorecards, although eight of those nine victories have been unanimous, highlighting his dominance.
Conversely, Murphy has proven that he possesses explosive power with three stoppages to his name against Pico, Makwan Amirkhani and Ricardo Ramos. Also boasting a one-inch reach advantage over his opponent, the British fighter could utilize that extra range to his benefit.
The stakes are simple: someone’s ‘0’ has got to go. And for the winner, a shot at UFC gold will likely be next. Fight fans from around the world will be counting down the hours until the contest. And sports bettors can get involved too by using a bet365 bonus code in UK markets.
Other British Fighters Set for UFC London Bouts
Aside from the main event, several other UK-born fighters will be returning to familiar settings for UFC London. Luke Riley will be hoping to build on an impressive debut win over Bogdan Grad in his upcoming bout against Michael Aswell Jr.
Michael “Venom” Page also makes his return to the Octagon, as the welterweight seeks to record his third consecutive win since losing against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303. The 38-year-old takes on fellow Brit Sam Patterson, who is coming off of four successive victories.
Kurtis Campbell kicks the main card off against America’s Danny Silva before Roman Dolidze’s middleweight clash against Christian Leroy Duncan. And Poland’s Iwo Baraniewski will be hoping to keep his seven-fight undefeated streak alive against USA’s Austen Lane.
