The UFC is scheduled to return to London on March 21 with a Fight Night event at the O2 Arena, marking its 17th appearance in the city and the first since the UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady card in March 2025. Although the main event has not been officially announced, a UFC athlete appears to have disclosed key details in advance, indicating a British headliner for the London show.
Training Partners Suggest Murphy vs. Evloev as Headlining Bout
Grant Dawson, a UFC fighter, revealed during training sessions that he has been sparring with Movsar Evloev in preparation for Evloev’s upcoming match against Lerone Murphy. Since Murphy is a prominent British featherweight contender, the indications point toward this fight being the main event at UFC London. The bout would feature two highly ranked featherweights and present an all-European clash taking place on European soil.
On the Show Me The Money podcast, Dawson stated,
“Everybody. So, this morning I sparred with Movsar,”
and continued,
“I’m helping him get ready for Murphy last week.”
— Grant Dawson, UFC Fighter
Lerone Murphy’s Rise and Previous Successes
Murphy has maintained a nine-fight winning streak following a draw with Zubaira Tukhugov in 2019, with notable victories over Edson Barboza, Dan Ige, and Josh Emmett. His last fight was a first-round knockout against Aaron Pico at UFC 319, which was a UFC featherweight title eliminator. Despite his impressive string of wins and that decisive knockout, Murphy was bypassed for a title shot in favor of Diego Lopes to face featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Movsar Evloev’s Undefeated Feat and Fighting Style
Evloev, 31, also carries a nine-fight winning streak and last competed in December 2024, defeating Aljamain Sterling. He was initially scheduled to face Aaron Pico but withdrew due to injury, leading Murphy to fill the vacancy. Though Evloev remains unbeaten, he has faced some criticism for frequently winning by decision rather than finishing fights. Among his conquered opponents are notable contenders like Diego Lopes and Arnold Allen.
Other Confirmed Bouts Set for UFC London
With just over two months until the event, several other fights have been confirmed despite the main event still awaiting official confirmation. Middleweight prospect Christian Leroy Duncan, currently riding a three-fight winning streak, will face Roman Dolidze. Mason Jones, who has earned consecutive wins since returning to the UFC, is matched against Axel Sola, who recorded a victory in his UFC debut in Paris last September. Additionally, Polish light heavyweight Iwo Baraniewski is scheduled to fight Austen Lane.
Anticipation Builds for a Major Return to London
This UFC Fight Night event will be significant as it continues the promotion‘s tradition of strong London cards, often highlighted by top-tier talent and competitive European match-ups. The possible Murphy versus Evloev main event could generate substantial interest, especially given the fighters’ streaks and their status as leading contenders in the featherweight division. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for the official announcement as the event approaches, eager to see if this highly anticipated fight will indeed headline the card.
