Aljamain Sterling recently expressed his perspective on the approaching featherweight contest between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy set to take place at UFC London next month. While Sterling recognized Murphy’s striking skills, he suggested that Evloev holds a clearer route to victory in their upcoming clash. This fight carries high stakes, as the winner is anticipated to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the undisputed featherweight title later this year.
Both fighters enter this matchup with momentum: Evloev recently secured a unanimous decision win over Sterling himself at UFC 310 in December 2024, demonstrating his tactical depth. Meanwhile, Murphy earned a spectacular first-round knockout against Aaron Pico at UFC 319 last August, marking an impressive comeback.
In a discussion with Home of Fight, Sterling gave his analysis of the fight dynamics, stating:
“Who would probably win that matchup? I feel like Movsar has a very clear path to win… He could push him up against the cage, he could take him down and hold him… Lerone’s a clean striker. He’s strong. I just wonder if Lerone’s wrestling is going to be enough. I heard one of his interviews, he’s going to be offensive, pushing the pace, going forward, and trying to be vicious on his defense or offense, whatever he said. So I’m very intrigued to see how that goes.”
His comments highlight the tactical wrestling advantage Evloev may exploit over Murphy’s striking power and aggressive style.
Evloev’s Callout to Volkanovski Following UFC 325 Victory
Earlier this month at UFC 325 in Sydney, Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his featherweight title by defeating Diego Lopes across five rounds, reinforcing his position atop the division. In response, Movsar Evloev voiced his intentions to challenge the reigning champion and differentiate himself from other contenders in the division.
Evloev used his social media platform to express his eagerness, posting:
“Great fight by @alexvolkanovski, he showed that you can get better at that age. I can’t wait to share a cage to show why I am different than these guys! #ufc325.”
This message underlines Evloev’s confidence and ambition to face Volkanovski for the featherweight crown in the near future.
Implications for the Featherweight Division
The forthcoming UFC London fight between Evloev and Murphy represents a pivotal moment for the featherweight class, with the winner most likely earning a title shot against Volkanovski, who remains a dominant champion. Sterling’s analysis adds an intriguing layer of anticipation, suggesting that Evloev’s wrestling could be a deciding factor in this closely contested matchup.
As the event approaches, fans and experts alike will watch closely to see whether Evloev’s strategic edge materializes or if Murphy’s powerful striking alters the division’s landscape. This fight could significantly shape the featherweight title picture and influence the trajectory of all fighters involved, including Sterling’s own position within the UFC hierarchy.
Aljamain Sterling Gives Edge to Movsar Over Lerone, Says He Has a Clear Path to Win
“I feel like Movsar has a very clear path to win. He could push him up against the cage, he could take him down and hold him.”
“I just wonder if Lerone’s wrestling is going to be enough. He’s a… pic.twitter.com/yHBkbWPGV5
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) February 10, 2026
Great fight by @alexvolkanovski, he showed that you can get better at that age. I can’t wait to share a cage to show why I am different than these guys! #ufc325
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) February 1, 2026
