Movsar Evloev is healthy and motivated to get his hands on the UFC featherweight title in 2026.
Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) will try to finally secure his first shot at gold when he takes on fellow unbeaten contender Lerone Murphy (17-0-1 MMA, 9-0-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 270 on March 21 at The O2 in London (Paramount+).
Advertisement
Reigning 145-pound champion Alexander Volkanovski has already designated the matchup as a title eliminator and hopes it produces his next opponent. Both fighters share the sentiment, but Evloev admits no assurances from the UFC brass have been made, so it’s on him to go out there and take it.
“No, I don’t hear nothing like that,” Evloev told MMA Junkie of title shot guarantees. “But it’s supposed to be like that, I think. … To deserve a title shot you have to beat someone good, and that’s Lerone. He’s 17-0, undefeated, is strong and big. We’ll see.”
Although Evloev’s record on paper is pristine, the fact he has yet to compete for a UFC belt is partially of his own doing. He hasn’t finished a fight in nearly seven years on the roster, and his record is littered with fight cancellations.
Advertisement
Evloev, 31, is not at fault for a number of fight scratches, but said his canceled fight against Aaron Pico this past summer was the result of a health issue that took several months to overcome.
“UFC booked the fight for May 17 main event at Apex with (Aaron) Pico and I said, ‘OK, let’s go.’ I was at American Top Team preparing. Then, like three or four weeks before, they just replaced it for July and I had to continue my training camp,” Evloev said. “Then I moved to Thailand because it was close to Abu Dhabi and don’t have big jet lag from camp to fight. Then I got sick with coronavirus or something, then it took three months, or even more, to feel better so I can train again.”
Now healthy, Evloev, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie featherweight rankings, want to show No. 3-ranked Murphy what he’s all about and deliver an emphatic victory.
“I’m not trying to underestimate this guy, but I think I’m better everywhere,” Evloev said. “He’s a striking guy. He has pretty good striking skills, but I don’t see nothing special. He’s good with the smart moves in striking, but I will use my tools with wrestling, pressure, everything, so I can win this fight as soon as possible.”
Advertisement
If all goes as planned, Evloev will knock out or submit Murphy then go on to challenge Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC), who he greatly admires and would like nothing more than to dethrone and usher out from the sport in favor of a new era.
“I will fight and then no one will have any excuse to see me as the No. 1 contender for the title,” Evloev said. “Alex is the best featherweight of all time. I’m so happy he’s not retired yet. I will be happy to fight him before he goes.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Movsar Evloev: No excuse for UFC title shot with Lerone Murphy win
