Movsar Evloev remains undefeated, but not everyone agrees with this most recent win.
On Saturday, Evloev edged out a majority decision win over Lerone Murphy in the main event of UFC London. It was a back-and-forth fight, and closely contested for the early portion of things, before Evloev took firm control later, winning with scorecards of 48-46, 48-46, and 47-47, after also losing a point in Round 4 for repeated low blows.
But UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping, who did live commentary for the event, disagrees.
“I’ll just get to the point: I thought Lerone — and I’ve got nothing against Movsar, and this is not me being biased, for all the American fans — I thought Lerone should have won that fight,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “I thought he won the first three rounds. I thought Movsar didn’t pick it up and really start going for it until Rounds 4 and 5. And clearly Movsar won Rounds 4 and 5. He dominated those rounds. He busted him up. He damaged him. Lerone was talking about at the end of 4, he blew his hip out and whatnot.
“But even still, that’s three rounds to two. And then, even if you give Movsar the third round, which was a close one, Movsar had a point deducted for the two groin shots. He had a point deducted in Round 4.”
Bisping is not the only person who felt this way. Immediately after the scores were announced, fans, fighters, and media members all weighed in on the judging, with many echoing Bisping’s thoughts or sharing his belief that even if Murphy didn’t win, the bout should have at least been a draw.
“Tough one for Lerone. … But Movsar Evloev, you’ve got to say congrats, because maybe I’m wrong,” Bisping said. “Maybe I’ve got to watch the fight back. But I thought Lerone, his takedown defense was great. When Movsar did force the takedown, he was able to get back to his feet relatively easily. I thought he landed the cleaner strikes on the feet. Nothing with particular consequence. There wasn’t the biggest — he didn’t wobble him, and stumble him, and all that type of stuff. But I thought he landed the cleaner shots, and I thought he won the first three rounds.
“Now, maybe I’m wrong, but there was the point deduction. So, should it have been a draw? Because if it’s two rounds apiece, and let’s just say Movsar won three out of [five], well then, he’s essentially lost one of them because he loses the point. So, if anything, it should have been a draw, in my humble opinion.”
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. Evloev officially won the bout and moved to 20-0 in his professional career, and 10-0 in the UFC. And even if he disagrees with the scorecards, Bisping has to give Evloev props for his run.
“Regardless, the winner was Movsar Evloev. He’s now 20-0, which is ridiculous,” Bisping said. “He’s beaten Arnold Allen, Diego Lopes, Aljamain Sterling, Lerone Murphy tonight, he’s 20-0, and he’s probably going to fight for the featherweight title next, against the great Alexander Volkanovski. When and where that will happen, I don’t know. But it will be an interesting fight.”
It’s unclear if Evloev will get the next crack at Volkanovski’s featherweight title. Though on paper he’s the obvious No. 1 contender, UFC CEO Dana White was noncommittal when it came to Evloev’s place in the divisional pecking order, and Jean Silva has been lobbying aggressively for the opportunity instead. But if Evloev does get the call, Bisping has a word of warning for him.
“Volkanovski is not an easy nut to crack,” Bisping said. “That is a tough one.”
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Blame. Joe Rogan blames matchmakers for ‘crazy bad fight’ between MVP, Sam Patterson at UFC London.
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Contender. Alexander Volkanovski responds to Movsar Evloev saying he wants title shot ‘before he gets too old.’
$$$. Jon Jones reveals how much the UFC offered him to fight on White House card.
Gnarly. Dana White shares gruesome cut after Fight of the Year contender at UFC London.
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Highlights from Evloev vs. Murphy.
Highlights from Mason Jones vs. Axel Sola, possibly the Fight of the Year thus far.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
One of those very quiet yet great careers. Hope he gets a big opportunity next.
Sir, you’re getting blanked.
Legendary Polish Endurance.
Michael Chiesa (19-7) vs. Niko Price (16-10); UFC Seattle, March 28.
No matter how you slice it, this is one heck of a run.
I really hope the UFC does the right thing and gives Evloev his shot at the title.
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