Lerone Murphy Stakes UFC Title Claim with Sensational Knockout in Chicago
When Britain’s Lerone Murphy walked into the octagon at UFC 319, very few expected him to steal the headlines on a night already stacked with big names. But within one round, the Manchester fighter delivered the moment of his career, flattening Aaron Pico with a spinning back elbow that instantly went viral. With one ruthless strike, Murphy not only silenced the doubters but also announced himself as a genuine contender for the UFC featherweight title.
It was a spectacular end to a fight that many thought would be Murphy’s toughest test. Facing a debuting American star in Pico – who arrived in the UFC with a huge reputation built in Bellator – the Briton showed patience, composure, and then devastating timing. The knockout was not only a statement win but also a career-defining moment that could propel Murphy straight into a title shot against the reigning champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Lerone Murphy’s sensational knockout puts him in UFC title picture
Murphy, 34, took the fight on just three weeks’ notice. For many fighters, that would have been an excuse to play it safe. For Murphy, it was the perfect chance to gamble on himself. The first few minutes, however, looked far from comfortable. Pico came out aggressively, pushing the pace with combinations and wrestling pressure that had the Briton backing up and searching for space.
“I’ll be honest, that was the hardest opening minutes I’ve ever had,” Murphy admitted post-fight. “He came forward non-stop, but I used his aggression against him.”
And that is exactly what happened. As Pico charged forward again, Murphy spun and landed a razor-sharp elbow flush on his opponent’s jaw. In an instant, the American crumpled to the canvas. The Chicago crowd erupted, commentators roared, and Murphy knew he had just produced the biggest moment of his career.
“It’s all about moments in this sport,” Murphy said, visibly emotional. “I needed something like this to make my mark. I took the fight, I believed in myself, and now I’m next in line. Let’s go Volkanovski.”
A long road to recognition for Murphy
For years, Murphy has been one of the most consistent fighters in the featherweight division, quietly putting together an unbeaten UFC record. Yet without the brash personality of some of his peers, and without the kind of highlight reel finishes that capture fans’ imaginations, he has often been overlooked.
Before UFC 319, he had won five straight decisions. Impressive, yes – but decisions rarely make headlines. Even entering the fight, Murphy sat only sixth in the rankings, with few outside Britain mentioning his name in the same breath as Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria, or Yair Rodriguez.
This knockout changes everything. In a division hungry for fresh contenders, Murphy’s win over Pico was exactly the statement performance he needed. As former UFC champion Daniel Cormier said on commentary: “It’s Lerone Murphy next. Everyone else can wait.”
Dana White seemed to agree, immediately handing Murphy a $50,000 performance bonus – and more importantly, placing him front and center in post-fight discussions about the next title challenger.
Fellow Brit Michael ‘Venom’ Page shines again
Khamzat Chimaev after beating Dricus du Plessis
Murphy wasn’t the only Brit making waves in Chicago. Earlier in the night, Michael ‘Venom’ Page, the flamboyant striker with a reputation for dazzling footwork and theatrics, earned another big win.
Facing Jared Cannonier, a seasoned middleweight contender, Page showed off his trademark style: hands low, constant movement, taunting gestures – and plenty of substance behind the flash. He dropped Cannonier twice, once in the first round and again in the second, before ultimately winning a unanimous decision.
The crowd chanted “MVP” as Page showboated and danced around his opponent, proving that at 38, he still has the speed and reflexes to trouble anyone. “I’m on my last lap in MMA,” Page admitted before the fight. “But I want to make it count – I’m chasing a title.”
With back-to-back wins at 185 pounds, Page edges closer to his goal, and his timing couldn’t be better. The UFC middleweight picture is in flux, and Page’s style and charisma could make him a valuable asset in the title conversation.
Khamzat Chimaev dominates to win middleweight belt
If Murphy provided the highlight and Page the flair, then Khamzat Chimaev delivered sheer dominance. In the main event, the Chechen-born Russian dismantled South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis to claim the UFC middleweight title.
It wasn’t just a win – it was an annihilation. Chimaev landed an astonishing 529 strikes to Du Plessis’ 45, a record-breaking number that highlighted the gulf in class. He also controlled over 21 minutes of the fight on the ground, smothering the champion and preventing any chance of a comeback.
For a fighter who has battled illness, injuries, and visa issues over the past two years, this was a triumphant return to form. Chimaev had been tipped as a future champion since his UFC debut, and on this night, he finally lived up to the hype.
What’s next for Lerone Murphy?
While Chimaev and Page left Chicago with their own victories, it was Murphy’s knockout that will be replayed again and again. With his record now at 17-0, and his name trending worldwide, the Briton has positioned himself perfectly.
The obvious next step is a showdown with Volkanovski. The Australian champion has long reigned over the featherweight division, but at 35 and after multiple grueling wars, questions linger about how much longer he can maintain his dominance. Murphy, with his composure, durability, and now newfound highlight power, may be the perfect challenger.
“It would be the ultimate test,” Murphy said. “But I’ve shown I belong here. I’ve shown I can finish fights. I want the belt.”
Whether the UFC pulls the trigger immediately or gives Murphy one more fight, one thing is certain: he is no longer flying under the radar. The man from Manchester has arrived, and the featherweight division just got a whole lot more interesting.
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