{"id":454159,"date":"2026-02-02T19:17:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/454159\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T19:17:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:17:09","slug":"murphy-vs-evloev-and-more-announced-for-march-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/454159\/","title":{"rendered":"Murphy Vs. Evloev And More Announced For March 21"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The UFC has officially confirmed multiple fights for its upcoming London event at the O2 Arena on March 21, adding depth to what promises to be one of the organisation\u2019s most stacked international cards of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>The promotion announced the full fight card on Monday, headlined by an undefeated featherweight showdown between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy. The winner will likely earn the next title shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski, who defeated Diego Lopes by unanimous decision at UFC 325 last weekend in Sydney.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/ufc\/ufc-london-2026-tickets-fight-night-lerone-murphy-b2912423.html\"><\/p>\n<p>Murphy\u2019s Knockout Power Meets Evloev\u2019s Perfect Record<\/p>\n<p>Evloev brings a perfect 19-0 professional record into the bout, including a 9-0 mark inside the octagon. The Russian has not fought since December 2024, when he earned a narrow decision victory over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310. His previous wins include victories over Diego Lopes and British contender Arnold Allen. Despite his unblemished record, Evloev has drawn criticism for his decision-heavy style, with all nine of his UFC victories going the distance.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/verdictmma.com\/news\/ufc-london-full-fight-card-announced-main-card-prelims\/1575\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" alt=\"Movsar Evloev withdraws from UFC 307 after nobody steps up to fight him\" class=\"wp-image-601707 perfmatters-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/MixCollage-24-Sep-2024-05-23-PM-440-1024x536.jpg\"  data-\/><\/p>\n<p>Murphy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lowkickmma.com\/jorge-masvidal-says-alexander-volkanovski-cant-get-past-movsar-evloev-and-lerone-murphy-if-he-could-beat-those-two-dudes-next-thats-interdimensional-sht\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">enters the<\/a> contest with a 17-0-1 record and has been on a nine-fight winning streak since a draw in 2019. The Manchester fighter last competed in August at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ufc.com\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">UFC 319<\/a>, where he delivered one of 2025\u2019s most memorable knockouts by finishing Aaron Pico with a spinning back elbow in the first round. That performance established Murphy as a legitimate title contender and earned widespread acclaim as a knockout of the year candidate.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/ufc\/lerone-murphy-aaron-pico-ko-elbow-ufc-319-b2809653.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">\u200b<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-637706 perfmatters-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2230530492-612x612-1.jpg\"  data-\/>CHICAGO, ILLINOIS \u2013 AUGUST 16: Lerone Murphy of England reacts after a knockout victory against Aaron Pico in a featherweight fight during the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lowkickmma.com\/ufc-319-dricus-du-plessis-vs-khamzat-chimaev-fight-card-betting-odds-start-time\/\" title=\"UFC 319\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"27834\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UFC 319<\/a> event at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Cooper Neill\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n<p>The co-main event features Luke Riley facing Michael Aswell in a featherweight contest. Riley, a longtime training partner of Paddy Pimblett at Liverpool\u2019s Next Generation gym, made an impressive UFC debut at <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lowkickmma.com\/ufc-qatar-arman-tsarukyan-vs-dan-hooker-fight-card-betting-odds-start-time\/\" title=\"UFC Qatar\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"27835\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UFC Qatar<\/a> in December, stopping Bogdan Grad with a second-round knockout. The victory earned Riley a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and announced the 26-year-old as a prospect to watch in the 145-pound division.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/other-sport\/luke-riley-ufc-paddy-pimblett-33007647\"><\/p>\n<p>Another significant addition is the all-British welterweight matchup between Michael \u201cVenom\u201d Page and Sam Patterson. Page, who holds a 24-3 professional record, recently defeated Jared Cannonier at UFC 319 and has become one of the sport\u2019s most entertaining competitors. Patterson has earned this opportunity after a four-fight first-round winning streak and aims to break into the top 15 welterweight rankings with a victory.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/mma\/3954811\/full-ufc-london-card-announced-michael-page-evloev-murphy\/\">\u200b<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" alt=\"Lerone Murphy Expects UFC London Return, Unconcerned By Potential Opponent\" class=\"wp-image-641654 perfmatters-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Lerone-Murphy-Expects-UFC-London-Return-Unconcerned-By-Potential-Opponent-1024x536.png\"  data-\/>Image: @lerone145\/Instagram<\/p>\n<p>The main card will also feature a middleweight bout between Roman Dolidze and Christian Leroy Duncan. Dolidze currently sits at number 12 in the middleweight rankings, while Duncan carries a three-fight winning streak and will look to crack the top 15 in front of his home crowd. Duncan has won all three of his fights in 2025, including two spectacular knockouts.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cagesidepress.com\/2025\/12\/31\/christian-leroy-duncan-lands-roman-dolidze-ufc-london\/\"><\/p>\n<p>Polish light heavyweight prospect Iwo Baraniewski will face Austen Lane in a clash of knockout artists. This marks Lane\u2019s debut at 205 pounds after spending his entire career at heavyweight, where he compiled a 13-7 record. Baraniewski, undefeated at 7-0, is fresh off a Fight of the Night performance at UFC 323 and will be making his second octagon appearance.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sherdog.com\/news\/news\/Report-Undefeated-Light-Heavyweight-Set-for-Sophomore-Bout-at-UFC-London-199711\"><\/p>\n<p>The preliminary card includes several intriguing matchups. Welsh lightweight Mason Jones takes on Axel Sola. Jones, a former two-division Cage Warriors champion, most recently defeated Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision in May 2025. British fan favourite Nathaniel Wood faces Losene Keita at featherweight. Wood has won his last two fights and carries a 22-6 professional record.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nathaniel_Wood_(fighter)\"><\/p>\n<p>English heavyweight Mick Parkin, ranked 13th in the division, will fight Portugal\u2019s Mario Pinto. Parkin suffered his first career loss to Marcin Tybura in March 2025 but had previously won four straight UFC fights, including a first-round knockout of \u0141ukasz Brzeski that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Pinto is 3-0 in the UFC after knocking out Lane in his most recent appearance.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mick_Parkin\"><\/p>\n<p>Additional bouts include Mantas Kondratavicius versus Antonio Trocoli at middleweight, Louie Sutherland against Brando Pericic at heavyweight, and Shem Rock taking on Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at lightweight. The women\u2019s divisions are represented by Melissa Mullins facing Luana Carolina at bantamweight and Shanelle Dyer meeting Ravena Oliveira at strawweight.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mmafighting.com\/ufc\/469705\/movsar-evloev-vs-lerone-murphy-headlines-ufc-london-full-fight-card-revealed\"><\/p>\n<p>Kurtis Campbell will make his UFC debut against Danny Silva in a featherweight contest. Campbell enters the octagon with an undefeated 8-0 record and earned his contract after defeating Demba Seck by first-round TKO on Dana White\u2019s Contender Series. Silva has won two of his three UFC appearances, with victories over Joshua Culibau and Lucas Almeida.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.pwinsiderxtra.com\/ViewArticle.php?id=39803&amp;p=1\"><\/p>\n<p>Tickets go on general sale through AXS on February 6, with early access available for Fight Club members on February 4 and priority access for pre-registered fans on February 5. The event marks the UFC\u2019s 17th visit to London and follows the promotion\u2019s highest-grossing Fight Night in history, which took place at the same venue in March 2025.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/ufc-london-fight-card-revealed-172845963.html\"><\/p>\n<p>UFC London Fight Card<\/p>\n<p>Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy (Featherweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/ufc\/ufc-london-2026-tickets-fight-night-lerone-murphy-b2912423.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Luke Riley vs. Michael Aswell (Featherweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/verdictmma.com\/news\/ufc-london-full-fight-card-announced-main-card-prelims\/1575\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Michael \u201cVenom\u201d Page vs. Sam Patterson (Welterweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/mma\/3954811\/full-ufc-london-card-announced-michael-page-evloev-murphy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">\u200b<\/p>\n<p>Roman Dolidze vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/cagesidepress.com\/2025\/12\/31\/christian-leroy-duncan-lands-roman-dolidze-ufc-london\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Nathaniel Wood vs. Losene Keita (Featherweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nathaniel_Wood_(fighter)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Iwo Baraniewski vs. Austen Lane (Light Heavyweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sherdog.com\/news\/news\/Report-Undefeated-Light-Heavyweight-Set-for-Sophomore-Bout-at-UFC-London-199711\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Mick Parkin vs. Mario Pinto (Heavyweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mick_Parkin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Mason Jones vs. Axel Sola (Lightweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ufc.com\/athlete\/mason-jones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Mantas Kondratavicius vs. Antonio Trocoli (Middleweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmafighting.com\/ufc\/469705\/movsar-evloev-vs-lerone-murphy-headlines-ufc-london-full-fight-card-revealed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Shem Rock vs. Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (Lightweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/ufc\/ufc-london-2026-tickets-fight-night-lerone-murphy-b2912423.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Kurtis Campbell vs. Danny Silva (Featherweight)<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pwinsiderxtra.com\/ViewArticle.php?id=39803&amp;p=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Louie Sutherland vs. Brando Pericic (Heavyweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmafighting.com\/ufc\/469705\/movsar-evloev-vs-lerone-murphy-headlines-ufc-london-full-fight-card-revealed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Melissa Mullins vs. Luana Carolina (Women\u2019s Bantamweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ufc.com\/athlete\/melissa-mullins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n<p>Shanelle Dyer vs. Ravena Oliveira (Women\u2019s Strawweight)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/ufc\/shanelle-dyer-player\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The UFC has officially confirmed multiple fights for its upcoming London event at the O2 Arena on March&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":454160,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570],"tags":[64,63,786,785,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-454159","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mma","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-fighting","11":"tag-mma","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=454159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454159\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/454160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=454159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=454159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=454159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}