UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs Murphy delivered thrilling action in London, with an undefeated featherweight solidifying his claim for a title shot. This article presents our power rankings of the main card winners from the event at The O2 Arena.
UFC London Power Rankings
1. Iwo Baraniewski
Iwo Baraniewski delivered the most memorable performance of UFC London, a blink-and-you-miss-it spectacle. The Polish light heavyweight, fresh off a “Round of the Year” contender, secured an even faster finish this time. His opening punches flawlessly connected with former heavyweight Austen Lane, sending the ex-NFL lineman to the canvas. A rapid follow-up flurry secured Baraniewski his second consecutive UFC victory. His exceptional power and aggressive, no-hesitation approach make him an unmissable fighter.
2. Christian Leroy Duncan
Christian Leroy Duncan stepped up significantly by facing veteran contender Roman Dolidze in London. The former Cage Warriors middleweight champion showcased his elite striking and robust defensive skills, earning a dominant unanimous decision. Duncan outstruck Dolidze on the feet, forcing the Georgian to rely on wrestling. Even on the ground, Duncan’s solid defense neutralized Dolidze’s grappling threats. This impressive victory against the then-11th-ranked Dolidze confirms Duncan’s place in the top ranks of the middleweight division.
3. Danny Silva
Danny Silva delivered a breakthrough performance at UFC London, commanding respect after his previous decision loss to Kevin Vallejos was perhaps underestimated. Facing debutant grappler Kurtis Campbell, Silva skillfully defended in the first round. In the second, he unleashed a powerful striking assault. His initial connection visibly hurt Campbell, leading to a fierce flurry of punches that secured an impressive stoppage. This marked Silva’s 11th career win, his third in the UFC, and his first finish inside the Octagon.
4. Movsar Evloev
Movsar Evloev secured a hard-fought majority decision victory over Lerone Murphy, despite a point deduction in the fourth round (scores: 48-46, 48-46, 47-47). While some disputed the decision, suggesting a “robbery,” Evloev matched Murphy’s striking and dominated the wrestling exchanges. His performance demonstrated a desire to impress UFC officials for a title shot. Evloev now appears well-positioned to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title, potentially at UFC International Fight Week. Though perhaps not the flashiest contender, his well-rounded skills might make him the most formidable opponent for the Australian champion.
5. Luke Riley
Luke Riley earned a unanimous decision victory over Michael Aswell Jr., gaining crucial Octagon experience despite not being entirely satisfied with his performance. The former Cage Warriors star aimed for a stoppage in the co-main event, but “The Texas Kid” proved incredibly durable, taking Riley the full distance. This win positions Riley for more significant challenges and provides valuable footage for him and his team to further hone his skills as he ascends the featherweight ranks.
6. Michael Page
Michael Page’s bout against Sam Patterson, which left some fans perplexed even before it began, regrettably lacked excitement. Patterson struggled to engage, while Page maintained distance, resulting in a fight decided by a limited number of impactful strikes from Page in each round. Although “MVP” secured the decision due to his striking superiority, it wasn’t the highlight-reel performance he desired. Page, known for his incredible speed and electrifying finishes, candidly admitted his disappointment, recognizing that such spectacular displays require opponents with equally aggressive intentions.
