Evloev upsets Murphy, sets up featherweight title shot against Volkanovski

Evloev upsets Murphy, sets up featherweight title shot against VolkanovskiMovsar Evloev rallies after a point deduction against the unbeaten Lerone Murphy to win the contest in London.Russia’s Movsar Evloev ‌overcame a point deduction for a foul to edge a majority ⁠decision win over ⁠Lerone Murphy at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 270 at the O2 Arena, likely punching his ticket to a title fight against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski ⁠in his next bout.With the two fighters putting their undefeated records on the line to decide who will face the 37-year-old Australian Volkanovski for the belt, ⁠the bout turned into an intriguing clash of styles.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Real Madrid go into key derby with Atletico on a high after defeating Citylist 2 of 3Japan beat Australia to lift Women’s Asian Cup titlelist 3 of 3Lin Yu-ting cleared to return to boxing after sex eligibility reviewend of listEvloev, who is known for his wrestling, tried to showcase his striking, while Murphy displayed some superb defensive work on the ground.Murphy evaded the fearsome grappling attack of his Russian opponent for the ‌first two rounds of the five-round bout, using a selection of stiff right hands to keep him at bay. Evloev took the chance to exhibit some of the dangerous spinning strikes he has added to his repertoire since his last fight in December 2024.Evloev finally managed to take the fight to the mat early in the third round, but Murphy was quickly ⁠back to his feet, uncorking a spinning back kick of ⁠his own shortly afterwards.However, it was his opponent who finished the frame strongest with a big overhand right, followed up by a flurry of strikes.Evloev, right, lands a punch against Murphy during the UFC Fight Night 270 main event at the O2 Arena [Peter van den Berg/Imagn Images via Reuters]His momentum was derailed somewhat when he landed ⁠a second kick to Murphy’s groin early in the fourth round, and referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from ⁠Evloev for the foul.