As Alexander Volkanovski cruised to a second successive victory over Diego Lopes atop Saturday’s UFC 325 event in Sydney, Australia, a fighter who has long considered himself next in line watched with interest from the other side of the world, wondering how different the result would’ve been had it been him challenging for the UFC featherweight title instead.
The 37-year-old Volkanovski beat Lopes for the first time last April, rebounding from back-to-back knockout defeats to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria to out-point the Brazilian and reclaim the vacant UFC featherweight championship. History only repeated itself at the Qudos Bank Arena this past weekend, with Volkanovski romping to another win on the cards.
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But, as he approaches 38 later in 2026, Volkanovski’s time at the top may be limited.
That is, according to the undefeated British contender Lerone Murphy. “I would have gotten the job done,” the No. 4-ranked featherweight told Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show” on Monday.
“Diego made some adjustments and looked better,” said Murphy. “But Volk just has his number, and everyone knew that was going to happen in that fight.”
It was a bittersweet viewing experience for Murphy. He’s unbeaten in MMA and, after starting his UFC career in 2019 with a draw against Zubaira Tukhugov, Murphy has claimed big victories along the way over the likes of Edson Barboza, Dan Ige, and more recently, a highlight-reel first-round knockout over Aaron Pico to punctuate a nine-fight win streak.
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Had it been Murphy rather than Lopes, the result, he said, would have been different.
“It hurt watching that fight thinking I should have been there … it should have been me,” Murphy said.
“I really think Father Time catches up to everybody. It’s only natural. Everybody does [get older].
“I think if I was in there, I would have gotten the job done. I see a lot of things in there that I would have been doing. I feel, right now, that I’m the best in the world at featherweight.”
Murphy has a chance to prove that when he takes on the No. 1-ranked featherweight Movsar Evloev in the headlining bout of UFC London on March 21 at The O2 Arena in London, England.
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“We’ve got a new fight now, so let’s get it,” Murphy said, looking ahead to his role in the main event of a hometown bout, which doubles as his return to England after four fights on the road.
“We’re the two best in the world,” he said. “It would have been a better story [fighting Evloev for the title], but it’s a great fight in London and the winner will win the title, I believe.”
To get to this headliner in March, Evloev has put together an impressive nine-fight win streak of his own that includes decisions over Ige, Arnold Allen and former featherweight champ Aljamain Sterling.
“Movsar is elite,” Murphy said. “He’s a very good fighter, good everywhere, but I just believe I’m going to take him into deep waters.
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“It’s going to be defensive wrestling, an ambitious offense, and pressure him to make a mistake. I’ll be hunting for the knockout from bell to bell.”
Considering his claim for a title shot is yet to be one answered by the UFC, Murphy isn’t quite convinced his upcoming fight is considered internally as the No. 1 contender bout. “Nothing’s concrete,” he acknowledged, “but I hope so.” Regardless, Murphy added, “The matchmakers know what type of matchup this is. Everyone knows what type of fight this is going to be. And what type of fighter I’m fighting against. So, I think the winner should be undeniably next in line for the title, simple.”
And while Murphy set his alarm Saturday to tune in at an unsociable hour and watch Volkanovski retain his championship, the champ will no doubt do the same, as he has long targeted the winner.
Volkanovski told Uncrowned earlier in the year that he’d “rather have an undefeated fighter like Movsar or Murphy” than have to fight Lopes a second time. And because he wants activity this year, front-loading fights while he’s still in his 30s, it is, perhaps, a bout that materializes in the summer.
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“Volk is the guy I have the utmost respect for as a champion,” Murphy said, when told of the champion’s support. “If it were up to him, he would have fought me. And he’s going out there and fighting the next best. It’s how every champion should be. Hopefully, I get the chance to share the Octagon with him.”
All Murphy can do is to keep doing what he’s been doing his entire career. “It will bring the best out of me,” he said. “I’ll put on a great fight.”
