Evloev Edges Past Murphy At UFC London

Movsar Evloev (20-0) maintained his perfect record by defeating Lerone Murphy (17-1-1) in their featherweight headliner at UFC London. 

Despite a mid-fight point deduction that nearly cost him the victory, Evloev’s wrestling in the championship rounds proved to be the difference, earning him a majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-4). In the opening two rounds, Murphy utilized superior footwork and sharp counter-striking to stifle Evloev. However, the Russian uncharacteristically stayed away from his wrestling, allowing Murphy to land right hands and body shots that had Evloev reset multiple times.

Between Rounds 3 and 4, Murphy informed his corner that his left hip had “popped.” The injury appeared to hinder his mobility and kick-defense for the remainder of the fight. The fight peaked in Round 4 when the referee deducted a point from Evloev for a second accidental low blow. Evloev responded with extreme urgency to score numerous takedowns. In the fifth, Evloev secured nine of his ten total takedown attempts, ultimately sealing the win. In his post-fight comments, Evloev turned his attention to the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Main card

Featherweight: Movsar Evloev beat Lerone Murphy via majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47)

Featherweight: Luke Riley beat Michael Aswell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Welterweight: Michael Page beat Sam Patterson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Light heavyweight: Iwo Baraniewski beat Austen Lane via knockout (punches) at 0:28 in R1

Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan beat Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision (29-28 All)

Featherweight: Danny Silva beat Kurtis Campbell via TKO (punches) at 0:31 of R2

Preliminary card

Lightweight: Mason Jones beat Axel Sola via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood beat Losene Keita via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Heavyweight: Mario Pinto beat Felipe Franco via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Middleweight: Mantas Kondratavicius beat Antonio Trocoli via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Heavyweight: Brando Pericic beat Louie Sutherland via TKO (punches) at 1:48 of R1

Lightweight: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady beat Shem Rock via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Women’s strawweight: Shanelle Dyer beat Ravena Oliveira via TKO (punches) at 1:17 of R2