Sat Mar 21 21:00:00 UTC 2026: ### UFC London: Murphy Suffers First Defeat, Jones Spars with White Over Pay
The Story:
UFC London saw a night of mixed fortunes for British fighters, headlined by Lerone Murphy’s first professional defeat at the hands of Movsar Evloev. The event also featured wins for several British fighters, including Christian Leroy Duncan and Mason Jones. Outside the octagon, two-weight UFC champion Jon Jones publicly aired his grievances with UFC President Dana White over a potential fight on the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14.
Key Points:
- Lerone Murphy lost to Movsar Evloev by unanimous decision, marking his first professional defeat.
- Evloev had a point deducted for a low blow in the fourth round.
- Christian Leroy Duncan defeated Roman Dolidze, potentially securing a spot in the top 15 of the middleweight division.
- Mason Jones defeated Axel Sola in a fight considered a “Fight of the Night” contender.
- Shanelle Dyer won her UFC debut, stopping Ravena Oliveira.
- Melissa Mullins’ fight was canceled after Luana Carolina missed weight by 8lbs.
- Jon Jones claims the UFC was unwilling to offer him more than $15 million for a fight on the UFC Freedom 250 card, despite previously agreeing to a $30 million deal to fight Tom Aspinall.
- Alex Pereira will fight Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt at UFC Freedom 250.
- Illia Topuria and Justin Gaethje will headline UFC Freedom 250 in a unification contest.
Key Takeaways:
- Lerone Murphy’s loss significantly impacts his trajectory in the featherweight division.
- Jon Jones’ public dispute with Dana White highlights ongoing tensions between fighters and the UFC regarding fighter pay.
- The UFC Freedom 250 card is shaping up to be a major event with significant title implications.
- British fighters continue to make strides in the UFC, with several securing key wins at UFC London.
- Weight cutting remains a persistent issue in MMA, as evidenced by the cancellation of Mullins vs. Carolina.
First Piper 