Evloev Wins Majority Decision Over Murphy at UFC London

Movsar Evloev solidified his status as the top contender in the UFC featherweight division with a hard-fought majority decision victory over Lerone Murphy at UFC London on March 21, 2026, but questions linger about whether he will secure the next shot at champion Alexander Volkanovski's title.

The undefeated Russian, now 20-0 overall and 10-0 in the UFC, controlled much of the five-round bout with his wrestling prowess, though the fight drew controversy for its closeness. Two judges scored it 48-47 for Evloev, while the third saw it as a draw. Murphy, previously unbeaten at 15-0-1, suffered his first professional loss in what many viewed as a de facto title eliminator. Evloev's win came after a year-long layoff, during which he had been overlooked despite his late-2024 triumph over Aljamain Sterling.

In the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged Evloev's position, stating he was "in a good spot," but stopped short of confirming a matchup with Volkanovski. This ambiguity has fueled speculation, particularly from former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, who expressed skepticism on a recent podcast. "I don't feel like Dana White is convinced that he's going...