UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs. Murphy in London featured a pivotal featherweight clash where one undefeated fighter maintained his perfect record, solidifying his bid for a UFC featherweight title shot.
Below are our power rankings, spotlighting the top winners from the main card at UFC London.
UFC London Power Rankings: The Night’s Best
1. Iwo Baraniewski
Among the main card performances at UFC London, Iwo Baraniewski’s truly stood out – a blink-and-you-miss-it spectacle. Polish light heavyweight Iwo Baraniewski, already a contender for “Round of the Year” with his explosive knockout of Ibo Aslan, delivered an even faster finish in London on Saturday.
His opening two punches decisively connected with former heavyweight Austen Lane’s chin, sending the ex-NFL defensive lineman to the canvas. A rapid follow-up flurry secured Baraniewski his second consecutive UFC victory. Baraniewski’s exceptional punching power and his aggressive, no-hesitation approach make him essential viewing every time he enters the Octagon.
2. Christian Leroy Duncan
England’s Christian Leroy Duncan rose to the occasion in London, facing seasoned contender Roman Dolidze. The former Cage Warriors middleweight champion delivered a masterclass of striking and defensive prowess, securing a unanimous decision victory on home turf.
Duncan’s superior striking dominated Dolidze, forcing the Georgian to rely on wrestling and grappling. However, even on the ground, Duncan’s robust defensive skills effectively neutralized Dolidze’s submission attempts. This unanimous decision victory firmly established Duncan’s place in the UFC’s middleweight elite. With Dolidze ranked 11th previously, “CLD” is set to enter the official rankings this week.
3. Danny Silva
Danny Silva surprised many at UFC London, demanding recognition with his compelling performance. Despite a decision loss to Kevin Vallejos in his previous outing, Silva’s resilient performance was largely underestimated.
Against debuting grappler Kurtis Campbell, Silva skillfully fended off his opponent in the first round. In the second, he unleashed his striking, delivering a decisive blow. A powerful connection instantly rocked Campbell, followed by a fierce barrage of punches that earned Silva an impressive stoppage. This marked his 11th career win, third in the UFC, and his inaugural Octagon finish.
4. Movsar Evloev
Russia’s Movsar Evloev engaged in a demanding contest with Lerone Murphy, ultimately securing a majority decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47) despite a point deduction in the fourth round. From Octagonside, my personal score was 47-47, giving Murphy the first two rounds. However, judges were positioned to better evaluate strike impact, and some close rounds could have gone either way.
Despite the fight’s tight nature, “robbery” claims emerged, which seem unfair to Evloev. He notably adapted his strategy, focusing on striking to impress UFC management and strengthen his case for a title shot. Having matched Murphy’s striking and dominated wrestling exchanges, Evloev is now poised to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the title. While perhaps not the flashiest contender, he may be the most strategically equipped to face the Australian legend. A title bout during UFC International Fight Week seems a distinct possibility.
5. Luke Riley
Despite his dissatisfaction with his performance, Luke Riley gained crucial Octagon experience in his unanimous decision victory over Michael Aswell Jr. The former Cage Warriors star, a talent from Next Generation MMA, aimed for a stoppage in his co-main event spotlight. However, “The Texas Kid” Michael Aswell Jr.’s resilient chin forced the fight to the judges’ scorecards.
Riley’s unanimous decision win propels him towards higher-profile matchups, providing valuable footage for him and his team to refine his skills as he ascends the featherweight ranks.
6. Michael Page
Michael Page’s bout against Sam Patterson left many fans perplexed from the outset. The fight regrettably lacked intensity, with Patterson struggling to initiate offense and Page maintaining distance, resulting in a contest decided by a minimal number of impactful strikes per round.
Page’s superior striking was sufficient to secure the decision. However, “MVP” himself acknowledged that the performance fell short of his expectations, offering an honest assessment of the bout. Page aims for highlight-reel finishes, and his career showcases his unparalleled speed among strikers in his weight class. Yet, such spectacular displays require opponents who are equally aggressive and willing to engage.