LAS VEGAS – Undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy will be keeping a close eye on what goes down between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in the UFC 314 main event.
Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) placed his name closer to the division’s top by defeating Josh Emmett in the UFC on ESPN 65 main event at the UFC Apex. It was a solid unanimous decision win that he described as “masterful.” For Murphy, it’s all about getting closer to a title shot.
At UFC 314, the vacant title will be on the line when former champ Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) takes on Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in the marquee bout. Murphy has an idea of what could go down at Kaseya Center in Miami.
“I think it’s a great fight – I think they’re both top fighters, both exciting fighters,” Murphy said at a post-fight news conference. “Two very high-level competitors, but I think maybe, I can see Volk winning late rounds with the cardio and the experience, but who knows?”
Volkanovski, 36, will enter the fight on a two-fight skid, having lost a second bid for the lightweight title against Islam Makhachev, and then dropping the featherweight title to Ilia Topuria, who has since vacated and has plans on moving up to lightweight.
On the other hand, Lopes, 30, has won five straight, including stoppages of Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini and Sodiq Yusuff. He followed at trio of finishes with a pair of unanimous decisions over Dan Ige and Brian Ortega to earn a shot at gold.
“Diego’s young and hungry, and he’s been on a tear lately,” Murphy said.
While Murphy didn’t predict a winner or a method of victory, he certainly will be keeping a close watch as whoever claims the title could be his next opponent, depending on how the division shakes out in the coming months.
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