The top featherweight star will earn himself a shot at Alexander Volkanovski’s 145lb title next, but must first get through rival Movsar Evloev at UFC London
Lerone Murphy is one step closer to earning a shot at UFC gold, as the UFC star will headline the promotion’s return to London against rival Movsar Evloev.
The 34-year-old looked like he would be next in line for a crack at Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight strap after knocking out UFC debutant Aaron Pico back in August, but Dana White and the UFC brass had other ideas. Instead, the promotion decided to book a rematch between the Aussie champion and Diego Lopes.
Their 145lb sequel took place this past weekend, with Volkanovski going on to defeat Lopes via unanimous decision over in Sydney. When asked about his future, the champion replied: “Obviously, I made it clear, whoever is next is next. Whoever deserves it. I think maybe Movsar (Evloev) or Lerone (Murphy). We will see if that happens. While we are doing that, I will talk to the team and just see what is next.”
Now, Volkanovski’s next opponent has emerged with Murphy and Evloev set to clash for the number one contender spot. Both men will trade leather on Saturday, March 21 at the O2 Arena.
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Evloev – who also has title aspirations of his own – will prove to be a tough challenger for the Manchester Top Team sensation. The Russian is undefeated inside the cage, but has not fought since his dominant decision win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310 back in December 2024.
Also announced, Paddy Pimblett’s long-time teammate Luke Riley will make his second walk to the UFC octagon and will face Michael Aswell in a mouthwatering featherweight dust-up. Another Next Gen fighter will also feature on the card. Shem Rock will be looking to get back to winning ways after a miserable UFC debut against Nurullo Aliev when he trades leather with Abdul-Kareem Al-Sewady. Michael ‘Venom’ Page – after a brief stint at middleweight – drops back down to welterweight and will take on Sam Patterson in a monumental domestic clash.
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Elsewhere on the main card, Iwo Baraniewski will take on Austen Lane, while Roman Dolidze faces British star Christian Leroy Duncan in a jaw-dropping middleweight fight. Kurtis Campbell is set to make his UFC debut on the card – following a successful stint on the contender series – and will go head-to-head with Danny Silva.
The full main card is as follows:
- Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy
- Luke Riley vs Michael Aswell.
- Michael Page vs Sam Patterson
- Iwo Baraniewski vs Austen Lane
- Roman Dolidze vs Christian Leroy Duncan
- Danny Silva vs Kurtis Campbell
Prelims
- Mason Jones vs Axel Sola
- Nathaniel Wood vs. Losene Keita
- Louie Sutherland vs Brando Pericic
- Mantas Kondratavicius vs Antonio Trocoli
- Mick Parkin vs Mario Pinto
- Luana Carolina vs Melissa Mullins
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Sewady vs Shem Rock
- Shanelle Dyer vs Ravena Oliveira
