Movsar Evloev edges out Lerone Murphy to set up UFC featherweight title shot

LONDON – Movsar Evloev did not let Lerone Murphy’s home advantage amid a hostile crowd prevent him from scoring a majority decision and improving his chances for a title shot at UFC London on March 21.

The undefeated Russian (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) also did not let losing a point for low blows in the fourth round keep him from victory by 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 on the judges’ scorecards at the O2 Arena. English featherweight Murphy (17-1-1, 9-1-1), in suffering his first loss, also saw the end of his nine-bout winning streak.

“With my head coach, we prepare level change, takedowns and then punches,” Evloev, 32, said afterward. “I think my punches are hard, I hurt him even if I didn’t finish him. Look at his face, he’s damaged.

“I showed that I don’t necessarily need to use my wrestling,” he said.

The No. 1 contender in the official UFC rankings should be in line for a shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski.

“Alex (Volkanovski) mentioned my name a lot of times. I accept this challenge, let’s fight,” Evloev said. “UFC, there is no excuse to not let me fight for the title.”

Evloev, who is known for his wrestling, tried to showcase his striking while Murphy displayed some superb defensive work on the ground.

Murphy evaded the fearsome grappling attack of his Russian opponent for the first two rounds of the five-round bout, using a selection of stiff right hands to keep him at bay, and Evloev took the chance to exhibit some of the dangerous spinning strikes he has added to his repertoire since his last fight in December 2024.

In the UFC Fight Night co-main event, Liverpool’s Luke Riley defeated American featherweight Michael Aswell Jr by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards) to improve to 13-0, 2-0. Aswell dropped to 11-4, 1-2.

Fireworks erupted early between lightweights Mason Jones and previously unbeaten Axel Sola in perhaps the fight of the night.

Jones, a winner by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), improved to 18-2 and both fighters left the octagon bloodied.

Jones of Wales was knocked down with a spinning elbow in the first round and absorbed multiple direct blows. He had a cut above his right eye and under his nose when his hand was raised, but Frenchman Sola (11-1-1) had at least three cuts and was covered in blood at the final bell.

“I just like fighting people. Axel wanted to fight. I took it to him,” Jones said. “I opened him up. There was fear in his eyes at the end of the first round. There was fear in his eyes in the end.” REUTERS