There was a time when even Murphy vs. Evloev wasn’t a sure thing for the top of the UFC London card.
Both fighters had already missed out on their chance to challenge Volkanovski for the featherweight title, and were then matched up to headline in London.
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Saturday’s fight at The O2 gives both men a platform to show why they belong in that conversation, with each hoping to put on the kind of performance that leaves no doubt.
But Evloev nearly lost his opportunity before stepping into the Octagon, dealing with some issues in camp that put his participation in jeopardy.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Movsar Evloev wasn’t sure if he’d be fighting at UFC London a week ago
Many have pointed to Evloev’s lack of finishes as a key reason why he hasn’t been given a title shot, despite his unbeaten record in the UFC.
But that’s not the only thing that’s slowed him down. The Russian has also had 11 fights fall through, most recently when Murphy stepped in for his planned bout with Aaron Pico last August.
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So when visa problems nearly pulled the plug on his fight with ‘The Miracle’ earlier this month, it felt like another setback in a growing list of them.
“Last week I almost knew I wasn’t fighting but I still kept my diet and did what I have to do because there’s always one chance,” Evloev told Full Send MMA.
“To be honest, with this situation with the visa, I almost believed that it’s like a curse.
“But I’m a religious guy. So I believe all that happens comes from God. The only thing I can do is accept this. Everything that happens, I will accept it,” he added.
The good news for Evloev is that everything was sorted out in time, and he made it to London ready to fight for his first title shot.
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Standing in his way is Lerone Murphy, who comes into the fight on a nine-fight winning streak – the fourth longest in featherweight history.
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