Alexander Volkanovski and Featherweight Division Put on Notice by Lerone Murphy with Exciting Fights

Volkanovski faded away for a brief time after his back-to-back KO losses at the hands of Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria at UFC 294 and UFC 298, respectively. However, with the status quo restored earlier this year in March, the Aussie is in the final stretch of his career and ready for all newcomers.

And while other contenders are all pushing for their opportunity, Murphy believes the timing is right for him to get his chance. His argument centers not only on merit but also on the fan appeal of a United Kingdom-hosted event for his potential first defense, where his star power continues to grow.

The Englishman’s journey has also been marked by adversity outside the cage. Murphy famously survived being shot in the face in 2013 and later endured a serious cycling accident in 2020. These were experiences that undoubtedly shaped his determination and mental toughness.

The fight between Lopes and Silva carries significant implications for the featherweight rankings. Lopes has become a fan favorite thanks to his aggressive style and willingness to take risks inside the cage, while Silva has impressed with his sharp striking and composure under pressure. However, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has also been vocal about a title shot after his performance at UFC Shanghai.

Whether the UFC grants Murphy his wish remains to be seen, but his proposal reflects the hunger and momentum of a fighter in peak form. With a highlight-reel knockout fresh in fans’ minds and the appeal of a UK headliner, he is sure not to be taken lightly by the UFC. Murphy’s callout of Volkanovski could be the spark that shapes the next chapter at 145lbs.

Lerone Murphy picks Alexander Volkanovski as the featherweight GOAT.

Alexander Volkanovski’s dominance at 145 pounds has fueled ongoing debate about whether he should be considered the greatest featherweight of all time. With 5 title defenses and 7 title fight victories over elite contenders like Max Holloway (thrice), Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega, Diego Lopes, and Chan Sung Jung, his resume speaks for itself.

Moreover, the Aussie even earned the distinction of becoming the first male fighter to win a UFC world title over the age of 35 in weight classes between 125lbs and 155lbs. This was infamously known as the ‘over 35’ curse and was broken at UFC 314 in Miami against Lopes. And recently, Lerone Murphy compared Volk’s career to UFC legend Jose Aldo.

Aldo’s career and title reign remain the gold standard in the eyes of many fans and analysts. The Brazilian legend reigned over the featherweight division for nearly a decade, holding the WEC and UFC belts and registering a total of 9 title defenses with victories over fighters like Urijah Faber , Ricardo Lamas , Chad Mendes , and Frankie Edgar .

The Englishman recently spoke about the featherweight GOAT debate in an interview with Submission Radio and acknowledged his potential opponent as the greatest featherweight.

It’s really hard to say because they are both from different times. But Volkanovski has beat better competition than Aldo, but of course Aldo was just the people’s champion, and he was champion for 10 years, but competition levels are different now. So I would say Volkanovski.

Lerone Murphy via Submission Radio

Comparing Volkanovski to Aldo brings two different eras into dialogue: Aldo’s dominance in a developing division versus Volkanovski’s success in a deep, modernized weight class. Murphy’s commendation of Volkanovski signals that contemporary depths and polish may outweigh legacy-era brilliance for the next generation.