Undefeated UFC featherweight contender Movsar Evloev responded to rumors about a potential UFC London pullout.
One of the most intriguing fights of the year features two top UFC featherweights at UFC London on March 21st. Featherweight title contenders Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev are booked to square off at UFC London for the likely next shot at the reigning titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski.
Evloev and Murphy are two unbeaten featherweights, and both make strong cases for a title shot. After recent wins over Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Diego Lopes, many pundits and fans believed it was a foregone conclusion that Evloev would be Volkanovski’s next opponent.
But the UFC matchmakers have other plans – as evidenced by the upcoming UFC main event in the promotion’s return to London. About a week before the fight, eyebrows were raised when rumors swirled on social media that Evloev was having travel visa issues that could force him out of the bout.
Movsar Evloev answers concerns over reportedly jeopardized UFC London fight
In a recent post to Telegram, Evloev cleared the air on his status for UFC London.
“Don’t listen to unreliable sources,” Evloev said.
“Everything is fine with the visa. We’re going for the victory.”
Despite Evloev’s dismissals, fellow featherweight contender Jean Silva seemed like a potential fill-in for UFC London after hinting at looming matchmaking news. As of this writing, Silva remains unbooked for his next fight.
It’s been a long road back to the Octagon for Evloev, after multiple scheduled bouts with Aaron Pico were canceled last year. Evloev was forced to withdraw from their rescheduled fight last July due to injury.
Evloev faces a tough test at UFC London, as Murphy is coming off of recent dominant wins over Pico, Edson Barboza, and Dan Ige. The UFC London victor will likely face Volkanovski in the reigning champ’s next title defense. In the meantime, it appears the fight remains a go.
What is your prediction for Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy? Let us know in the comments!