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Valentina Shevchenko’s former rival set to retire at UFC Nashville and become an MMA judge

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 10:59 PM ET

Lauren Murphy will make her final walk to the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Nashville.

UFC Nashville features an intriguing heavyweight headliner between Derrick Lewis and the promotion’s tallest fighter, Tallison Teixeira. The card features several big names and important fights in their respective divisions.

Several top names have announced their retirement from MMA this year, including Anthony Smith, who walked away at UFC Kansas City. Another name will add to that list on the Lewis vs. Teixeira undercard.

Lauren Murphy set to become the latest UFC vet to enter MMA judging

TSN reporter Aaron Bronsteter is reporting that UFC flyweight Lauren Murphy will make her final walk to the Octagon at UFC Nashville this Saturday, as she told Bronsteter in a recent interview. Murphy has hinted at retirement in recent years but will make her final appearance against Eduarda Moura in a flyweight matchup.

While Murphy’s retirement fight isn’t surprising, it’s what her planned next steps are that should excite MMA fans amid recent calls for judging reform.

Murphy told Bronsteter she’s completed judging and officiating courses and plans to judge fights in the state of Texas after her fighting career concludes. While her MMA career is coming to an end, Murphy also still plans to compete in grappling events, as several UFC retirees have chosen to do after hanging up the gloves.

Murphy will become the latest UFC veteran to make the move into judging after hanging up the gloves. Chris Leben, an MMA pioneer and The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 alum, has served as a judge at several UFC events in recent years.

Murphy will look to conclude her MMA career on a positive note this weekend. She hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade at UFC 283.

42-year-old UFC Nashville star dismisses retirement win-or-lose this weekend

Meanwhile, another decorated veteran will opt not to follow in Murphy’s footsteps at UFC Nashville. Former UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson, 42, says he plans on fighting well past his current UFC contract, despite a recent losing skid.

Thompson will face a steep test against Gabriel Bonfim this Saturday at UFC Nashville. He’s lost four of his last five fights, including a recent knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307.

Thompson will look to earn his first victory since defeating Kevin Holland at UFC Orlando in 2022.