Lerone Murphy is still trying to wrap his head around getting passed over for a title shot with Diego Lopes getting a rematch against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325 in January.
Despite a 10-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC including a stunning spinning back elbow knockout over Aaron Pico, the promotion opted to give Lopes a second crack at Volkanovski after losing to him by decision back in April. As much as it stings that he’s not getting a title shot, Murphy admits the worst part of the entire situation might be missing out on a chance to face an all-time great like Volkanovski.
While Volkanovski has made no statement about his future beyond his upcoming title fight, Murphy is convinced the two-time champion is destined to call it a career in January.
“Now I don’t get the chance to fight Volkanovski,” Murphy said about not getting a title shot when speaking to Demetrious Johnson on his podcast. “I know he’s going to retire after this fight.
“That’s a legend. Being able to test my skills against a legend, having his name on my resume is massive. It’s something that I’m never going to be able to get now because of that. Not because I didn’t earn it, because of obviously favoritism and whatever.”
Murphy truly believed taking a short-notice fight against Pico at UFC 319 would secure him that opportunity and he stamped quite the exclamation point on his performance by delivering the vicious knockout.
Instead, Lopes is getting a rematch off a win over Jean Silva and Murphy is still waiting on the sidelines.
“That’s what I thought that trade was,” Murphy said about taking the fight with Pico. “For me, obviously, we’re prizefighters, we need money, we need to fight but I want that crack at the title. That’s legacy right there. That sets me up as well.”
With the title fight out of reach for now, Murphy is looking at his next fight most likely happening in March when the UFC is expected to return to England.
That’s obviously Murphy’s backyard and the chance to fight at home is always special but he’d give all that up for a title shot.
As far as potential opponents, Murphy said he hasn’t been made any official offers, although he only realistically sees two names that he could face in the featherweight division.
“I believe they’re going to book me for London. That’s what it looks like anyways,” Murphy revealed. “I think they’re going to book me for London. I think it’s going to be either [Movsar Evloev or Aljamain Sterling]. I don’t care.
“To me, that’s the same fight. Aljamain Sterling or Movsar, same fight. Same problem. Similar styles. I’m preparing myself for that fight in March.”
Ideally, Murphy would fight Volkanovski for the title but he’s already moving on from that potential matchup because he truly believes the Australian champion is going to hang up his gloves after facing Lopes again.
It’s not the way he wanted to become champion but Murphy knows Volkanovski retiring could raise the stakes even more for his next fight.
“If Volkanovski wins, it’s a vacant title, my fight might be for the title,” Murphy said. “That’s what I’m hoping for. Maybe, maybe not, we’ll see.”
