UFC Fight Night 271 in London brings one of the most intriguing matchups of the year as two undefeated featherweights will finally collide: Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy.
Both fighters enter this contest with spotless records, high confidence, and a strong belief that they are the rightful future contenders at 145 lbs. But once the cage door closes, only one will keep the “0” in their loss column.
This matchup isn’t just another fight. It’s a stylistic chess match between a pressure-heavy Dagestani wrestler with technical discipline and a dangerous British striker who has made a career out of finding fight-ending moments from nowhere.
In this article, we’ll break down both fighters, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, look at how their styles collide, and finally give a detailed Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy prediction based on facts, fight history, tendencies, and recent performances.
Who Has the Momentum Going Into This Fight?
Movsar Evloev – The Perfect 19-0 Machine
Movsar Evloev enters UFC London with an undefeated record of 19 wins and 0 losses, a number that instantly demands respect.
He has built his career on calculated pressure, relentless wrestling, and an ability to shut down the weapons of almost every opponent he has faced.
While fans often criticize him for not getting finishes inside the UFC, there is no doubt about his control, consistency, and ability to dominate rounds.
Evloev’s biggest strength is simple: He rarely makes mistakes.
Whether the fight stays standing or hits the ground, he stays composed, avoids unnecessary risks, and always sticks to his game plan.
Lerone Murphy – The Knockout Artist Rising at Lightning Speed
Lerone Murphy steps into the biggest fight of his career with a record of 17 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, that draw coming against Zubaira Tukhugov in a close battle early in his UFC run.
But since then, Murphy has evolved tremendously. His striking is sharp, explosive, and unpredictable.
In fact, Murphy has finished three fighters in the UFC, and his last knockout, a stunning spinning elbow against Aaron Pico, instantly turned him into a breakout star.
- Where Evloev wins with control, Murphy wins with danger.
- Where Evloev plays safe, Murphy plays smart but aggressively.
- That contrast sets the stage for an unpredictable and exciting fight.
Movsar Evloev: Strengths, Weaknesses, and What He Must Do to Win
1. Elite Wrestling and Pressure
Coming from the Dagestani school of MMA, wrestling is Evloev’s foundation.
He times his entries well, shoots at the right moments, and uses chain wrestling to secure takedowns even when the first attempt doesn’t work.
Once he gets opponents to the mat, he focuses heavily on control rather than damage.
Against a striker like Murphy, Evloev’s wrestling will be his biggest key to victory.
If he keeps Murphy guessing with level changes, he can slow down the pace and prevent Murphy from finding knockout opportunities.
2. Safe but Effective Striking
Evloev is not a knockout artist, but he has clean boxing fundamentals. He often uses jabs, feints, and short combinations to set up takedowns. His striking isn’t flashy, but it’s reliable and built around minimizing risk.
3. Need to Avoid Extended Stand-Up Exchanges
Evloev’s biggest weakness is that prolonged striking battles don’t usually favor him. He can defend well, but he does get hit when pressured.
Aljamain Sterling was able to control him in spots, and anytime Evloev’s grappling slips, he looks vulnerable in transitions.
Against a power striker like Murphy, any slip can turn into a big shot.
What Movsar Evloev Must Do to Win
- Mix takedowns throughout all three rounds
- Pressure Murphy backward
- Stay away from Murphy’s elbows and mid-range power shots
- Avoid grappling scrambles where Murphy can create space
- Control the pace and make it a tactical fight
If Evloev sticks to his fundamentals, he can accumulate points and neutralize Murphy’s explosiveness.
Lerone Murphy: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Fight Keys
1. He Is a Complete Striker
Murphy’s striking stands out in the featherweight division. The way he transitions between boxing, kicks, and spinning attacks makes him extremely hard to read.
His knockout of Aaron Pico was the perfect example of how he can turn the tide instantly with creativity and speed.
2. Finishing Instincts
Unlike Evloev, Murphy doesn’t just win; he finishes.
That difference matters in a matchup where one moment can change everything.
Murphy doesn’t need multiple rounds to take over. He needs one clean opening.
3. Underrated Grappling
People often assume Murphy is only a striker, but that’s not accurate.
His takedown defense has steadily improved, his scrambles are sharp, and he knows how to get back to his feet. He may not dominate the grappling exchanges, but he is far from helpless.
4. Staying Calm Against Pressure
Murphy’s biggest challenge will be dealing with Evloev’s wrestling pressure. If he reacts too early or overcommits, Evloev will drag the fight to the ground.
What Lerone Murphy Must Do to Win
- Keep the fight standing as long as possible
- Attack Evloev’s entries with knees and elbows
- Stay off the cage wall
- Make Evloev pay for failed takedowns
- Use his speed advantage in striking
If Murphy turns this into a striking battle, Evloev will struggle to match his power and timing.
How Their Styles Match Up
This is what makes this fight so interesting: Both are undefeated, but they win in completely different ways.
Striking Comparison
- Murphy: Dynamic, powerful, unpredictable
- Evloev: Safe, technical, risk-averse
Murphy clearly holds the edge here. Evloev can strike, but Murphy does damage.
Wrestling Comparison
- Evloev: High-level takedown ability and control
- Murphy: Good scrambles, but not a dominant wrestler
Evloev has the advantage in wrestling, but the real question is: Can he keep Murphy down long enough to win rounds?
Murphy won’t be easy to hold down, and that creates constant danger.
Cardio and Pace
Both fighters have excellent conditioning. Evloev can wrestle for fifteen minutes without slowing, while Murphy can strike at a high pace without fading.
Finishing Ability
- This is the biggest difference.
- Murphy has fight-ending power.
- Evloev usually wins decisions.
In a close fight, the more dangerous fighter often finds an edge.
Breaking Down Real Fight Scenarios
Scenario 1: Evloev Wins by Decision
This is the most likely path for Movsar Evloev.
If he times takedowns well, avoids risky exchanges, and stays on Murphy’s hips, he can walk away with a 29-28 or 30-27 decision. He won’t finish Murphy, but he doesn’t need to.
Scenario 2: Murphy Catches Him
Murphy needs only a few seconds to change everything. If Evloev makes a mistake during a shot or leaves his head exposed in a scramble, Murphy can land something big — a hook, knee, or his signature elbows.
Murphy’s power advantage means he can finish the fight at any moment.
Scenario 3: Murphy Wins a Competitive Decision
If Murphy defends takedowns consistently and keeps the fight standing long enough, he can out-strike Evloev from distance and win rounds based on damage.
X-Factor: The Aljamain Sterling Fight
The one moment in Evloev’s career that gives analysts hesitation is how Aljamain Sterling was able to control him in certain grappling exchanges.
While Evloev overall performed well, the fact that he could be controlled shows he’s not flawless.
If Evloev loses a scramble against Murphy, the danger multiplies instantly. Murphy only needs a small opening.
So Who Has the Edge?
If you step back and look at the full picture:
- Both fighters are undefeated
- Both have elite skills
- Both can win in different ways
- Both have faced tough competition
But when you consider finishing ability, versatility, striking danger, and the ability to find openings in chaotic moments…
Lerone Murphy has a slight edge.
This is not a one-sided matchup at all. It’s extremely close — many would call it 50-50 — but Murphy’s ability to end the fight gives him the smallest advantage in a matchup where one mistake can change everything.
Final Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy Prediction
After analyzing both fighters, their fighting styles, and how their strengths match up, here is the final prediction:
Prediction: Lerone Murphy wins (KO/TKO or Decision)
Confidence: Slight edge, around 55/45 in favor of Murphy
Evloev can absolutely win with his wrestling and safe approach, but Murphy is more dangerous, more explosive, and better at creating fight-changing moments.
In a matchup this close, the fighter with more weapons often finds a way to pull ahead.
Conclusion
Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy is one of the most competitive, meaningful, and exciting fights booked for UFC Fight Night 271 London.
Two undefeated featherweights, two very different styles, and two fighters hungry for a title shot. Evloev brings discipline, pressure, and flawless decision-making.
Murphy brings creativity, knockout power, and the confidence of someone who knows he can end a fight in a split second.
The prediction leans slightly toward Lerone Murphy thanks to his all-around MMA skill set and finishing ability, but this is a razor-close matchup where anything can happen.
No matter how it ends, fans in London are guaranteed a high-level fight between two of the most promising featherweights in the world.
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