Movsar Evloev delivered a stunning upset at UFC London, defeating Lerone Murphy by majority decision and positioning himself for a featherweight title shot. Murphy, who knocked out Aaron Pico last August, aimed for a bout with champion Alexander Volkanovski but instead faced the division’s top contender. Despite a strong performance and a point deduction for Evloev, Murphy suffered his first professional loss.
Main Event Breakdown
Murphy kept the fight standing in the first round, but Evloev landed sharper strikes. The second round remained cautious, with Murphy gaining a slight edge. In the third, Evloev attempted a takedown after Murphy missed a knee, but the Brit escaped amid cheers from the crowd, including fellow Mancunian Noel Gallagher.
Evloev closed the round strongly. A low blow early in the fourth led to a point deduction for Evloev, who then secured multiple takedowns. Murphy defended well despite signaling a hip injury to his corner. In the fifth, another takedown followed, with Murphy battling back but ending on his back with a cut above his left eye. Judges scored it 48-46, 48-46, 47-47.
Post-fight, Murphy stated, “I’m sorry to let you down tonight, I gave all I could give and it wasn’t enough. One thing I’d like to say, Evloev deserves the title shot. I’ll be back, don’t worry. My hip popped in the third round but no excuses.”
Co-Main Event and Main Card Highlights
Luke Riley secured a shutout unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Michael Aswell Jr., marking his second straight UFC win. Training with lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett, Riley rated his effort a five out of ten, adding, “I’m a perfectionist.”
Michael ‘Venom’ Page entered to Michael Jackson’s ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ and won a unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) over Sam Patterson amid crowd boos. Christian Leroy Duncan impressed with a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) victory over Roman Dolidze, earning a middleweight ranking. Iwo Baraniewski finished Austen Lane via TKO (strikes) at 0:28 of Round 1, while Danny Silva stopped Kurtis Campbell by TKO at 0:31 of Round 2.
Preliminary Card Results
On the prelims, Shanelle Dyer made a strong UFC debut with a TKO (strikes) at 1:17 of Round 2 against Ravena Oliveira. Nathaniel Wood edged Losene Keita by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). Mason Jones dominated Axel Sola via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Other prelim winners included Mario Pinto (unanimous decision over Felipe Franco, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Mantas Kondratavicius (unanimous over Antonio Trocoli, 30-27, 29-27, 29-27), Brando Pericic (TKO strikes at 1:48 of Round 1 vs. Louie Sutherland), and Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (unanimous over Shem Rock, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Full Main Card Results
- Movsar Evloev def. Lerone Murphy by majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)
- Luke Riley def. Michael Aswell Jr. by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Michael ‘Venom’ Page def. Sam Patterson by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
- Iwo Baraniewski def. Austen Lane by TKO (strikes) at 0:28 R1
- Christian Leroy Duncan def. Roman Dolidze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Danny Silva def. Kurtis Campbell by TKO at 0:31 R2
