Lerone Murphy
The Miracle
England
Fades following fast start
Murphy lost to Movsar Evloev via majority decision (46-48, 46-48, 47-47) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
There's a lot to talk about here. Murphy appeared to win the first two rounds quite easily. Toss in the fact Evloev lost a point in Round 3 for a second low blow and most likely thought we were looking at a 47-47 draw, which is what judge Clemens Werner had. Judges Ben Cartledge and Derek Clearly, however, gave Evloev Round 1, and Murphy found himself on the losing end of a majority decision. While the result is crushing, it's not as if Murphy deserved a title shot with this performance, which would have almost certainly been the outcome if he won. He was dominated by Evloev in the second half of the fight and probably would have been dominated the entire bout if Movsar didn't stand around and do nothing the first two rounds. It will be interesting to see how Murphy rebounds after coming seemingly so close to a potential title opportunity.
There's a lot to talk about here. Murphy appeared to win the first two rounds quite easily. Toss in the fact Evloev lost a point in Round 3 for a second low blow and most likely thought we were looking at a 47-47 draw, which is what judge Clemens Werner had. Judges Ben Cartledge and Derek Clearly, however, gave Evloev Round 1, and Murphy found himself on the losing end of a majority decision. While the result is crushing, it's not as if Murphy deserved a title shot with this performance, which would have almost certainly been the outcome if he won. He was dominated by Evloev in the second half of the fight and probably would have been dominated the entire bout if Movsar didn't stand around and do nothing the first two rounds. It will be interesting to see how Murphy rebounds after coming seemingly so close to a potential title opportunity.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Main event against Evloev
Murphy will main event UFC London in a featherweight fight against Movsar Evloev on March 21, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
In a battle of undefeated featherweights, one will fall to likely see who challenges the division's champion Alexander Volkanovski. Since drawing in his UFC debut, Murphy has been on a roll, with decision wins over promotion mainstays Edson Barboza, Dan Ige and Josh Emmett before he spectacularly finished Aaron Pico, who Evloev was scheduled against before an undisclosed problem took him out of action for the remainder of 2025.
In a battle of undefeated featherweights, one will fall to likely see who challenges the division's champion Alexander Volkanovski. Since drawing in his UFC debut, Murphy has been on a roll, with decision wins over promotion mainstays Edson Barboza, Dan Ige and Josh Emmett before he spectacularly finished Aaron Pico, who Evloev was scheduled against before an undisclosed problem took him out of action for the remainder of 2025.
Finds perfect knockout strike
Murphy defeated Aaron Pico via KO (spinning back elbow) at 3:21 of Round 1 at UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.
ANALYSIS
This fight was back-and-forth for much of the first round, with Murphy looking for big shots and counters against the fence, while Pico would shoot for takedowns. "Miracle" found what he was looking for, as a perfectly-timed elbow left the UFC debutante looking up at the lights. The highlight-reel finish would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, and help silence critics of Murphy's general lack of finishing ability. Murphy may not have one overwhelming aspect of his game, but the ability to blend different aspects of MMA, combined with in-cage intelligence, allows him to tailor his strategy for any opponent. At 17-0-1 with nine consecutive wins, it's difficult to see anyone else next in line for a shot at the featherweight title.
This fight was back-and-forth for much of the first round, with Murphy looking for big shots and counters against the fence, while Pico would shoot for takedowns. "Miracle" found what he was looking for, as a perfectly-timed elbow left the UFC debutante looking up at the lights. The highlight-reel finish would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, and help silence critics of Murphy's general lack of finishing ability. Murphy may not have one overwhelming aspect of his game, but the ability to blend different aspects of MMA, combined with in-cage intelligence, allows him to tailor his strategy for any opponent. At 17-0-1 with nine consecutive wins, it's difficult to see anyone else next in line for a shot at the featherweight title.
Next opponent up
Murphy will take on Aaron Pico in a featherweight matchup at UFC 319 on August 16, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Still undefeated as a professional, Murphy will look to continue building momentum following his unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmett in April. He now draws a former Bellator standout in Pico, who hasn't competed since February of 2024, but does have back-to-back stoppage wins. Murphy, a striker by trade, will hold height and reach advantages when the cage doors close. The fact that he's likely the best opponent Pico has faced to date suggests he'll enter as the betting favorite.
Still undefeated as a professional, Murphy will look to continue building momentum following his unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmett in April. He now draws a former Bellator standout in Pico, who hasn't competed since February of 2024, but does have back-to-back stoppage wins. Murphy, a striker by trade, will hold height and reach advantages when the cage doors close. The fact that he's likely the best opponent Pico has faced to date suggests he'll enter as the betting favorite.
Runs unbeaten streak to nine
Murphy defeated Josh Emmett via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was the toughest test of Murphy's career, and while he didn't pass the test with flying colors, he passed nonetheless. Murphy stuck to the outside, damaging Emmett's legs with kicks and using his technical striking advantage to score points in the eyes of the judges. He ate a few big blows, but handled them well. He also responded well to allowing four takedowns, not absorbing much damage on the mat. Lerone is very much a generalist, but he's a talented generalist. Murphy is now unbeaten in nine UFC bouts, going 8-0-1 in the process. The lone concern for the Brit at this point is that each of his past five wins have come via decision. You're going to have to finish your opposition sooner or later, especially when you start going up against the best in the world.
It was the toughest test of Murphy's career, and while he didn't pass the test with flying colors, he passed nonetheless. Murphy stuck to the outside, damaging Emmett's legs with kicks and using his technical striking advantage to score points in the eyes of the judges. He ate a few big blows, but handled them well. He also responded well to allowing four takedowns, not absorbing much damage on the mat. Lerone is very much a generalist, but he's a talented generalist. Murphy is now unbeaten in nine UFC bouts, going 8-0-1 in the process. The lone concern for the Brit at this point is that each of his past five wins have come via decision. You're going to have to finish your opposition sooner or later, especially when you start going up against the best in the world.
Next fight booked
Murphy will take on Josh Emmett in a featherweight bout at UFC Vegas 105 on April 5, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Murphy is on some kind of heater to begin his UFC career. He still boasts a perfect unbeaten record of 7-0-1, and has yet to lose a professional fight in his entire career. He'll now take on the older and more experienced Josh Emmett, who is no slouch himself - he boasts an impressive 10-4 record and disposed of his last opponent just minutes into Round 1 with a KO (punches). Still, Murphy has three inches of height and 3.5 inches of reach on Emmett.
Murphy is on some kind of heater to begin his UFC career. He still boasts a perfect unbeaten record of 7-0-1, and has yet to lose a professional fight in his entire career. He'll now take on the older and more experienced Josh Emmett, who is no slouch himself - he boasts an impressive 10-4 record and disposed of his last opponent just minutes into Round 1 with a KO (punches). Still, Murphy has three inches of height and 3.5 inches of reach on Emmett.