Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy (Photo by Imagn Images)

Movsar Evloev Shuts Down Title Debate With Bold Claim After Lerone Murphy Fight

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 2:47 PM ET

Alexander Volkanovski has raised his voice over how real title contenders are not getting title shots. But now fans are seeing two top featherweights, Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, fighting this weekend at UFC London. The winner of this fight will most probably get the title shot against Volkanovski. Evloev also shut down chances of other contenders getting the title shot.

The Russian fighter believes his fight with Murphy at UFC London should decide the next title challenger. The 32-year-old said there’s “no excuse” for the winner not to get a title shot, calling it a clear No. 1 contender fight. Other contenders have to wait, Evloev said. And in a recent interview with MMA Fighting, the number 1-ranked featherweight fighter said:

“No [title shot guaranteed], nothing like that,” Evloev told MMA Fighting. “It looks like it’s a [No. 1] contender fight. If I win or Murphy wins. I don’t see no excuse to not give a title shot the winner of this fight. Who else? [Jean] Silva is talking after his fight, but he just lost.”

Movsar Evloev says there's "no excuse" over who deserves the next title shot after his fight against Lerone Murphy at #UFCLondon:

"Who else? [Jean] Silva is talking after his fight. … He can wait his turn."

( @DamonMartin) pic.twitter.com/0yYxwrZiM8
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) March 18, 2026

The 32-year-old also dismissed Jean Silva, saying Silva hasn’t done enough yet and needs more wins before talking about a title opportunity. Meanwhile, Evloev is considered one of the most underappreciated fighters as he’s had to prove himself multiple times, and this time he has to prove himself again against the English fighter before getting the title shot.

Lerone Murphy Is Training to Knockout Movsar Evloev at UFC London

The next featherweight title challenger will be decided this weekend when Lerone Murphy faces Movsar Evloev. This is going to be a thriller, a striker vs. wrestler fight, and Murphy is coming into his fight against the Russian fighter with full confidence and a clear goal to knock him out. In his recent video, the English fighter said:

“Once these knuckles touch Movsar’s chin, it’s over. I want a knockout, hands clean.”

Lerone Murphy is training for a clean knockout against Movsar Evloev

"Once these knuckles touch Movsar's chin, it's over. I want a knockout, hands clean."

(Via @LeroneMurphy ) pic.twitter.com/6j7L9Sda5J
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 17, 2026

Murphy says Evloev will rely heavily on wrestling, so he’s focused on staying sharp defensively while being aggressive on the feet. Meanwhile, the 34-year-old says he has no fear going into the fight; he believes it’s time to prove who the better fighter really is.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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