UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy is confident that a statement performance at the expense of Josh Emmett this weekend will net him a first shot at gold on MMA's biggest stage.
After an undefeated start to life in the UFC and recent wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige, Murphy has cracked the divisional top 10.
Next, as he continues to pursue a climb up the ranks toward the title picture, "The Miracle" is tasked with getting the better of arguably the most powerful man at 145 pounds, knockout artist Emmett.
The 40-year-old is no stranger to meeting unbeaten up-and-comers, having headline a Jacksonville event opposite then-future champion Ilia Topuria in mid-2023. After battering the American, Topuria went on to challenge and defeat Alexander Volkanovski to claim the belt.
With that in mind, Murphy expects the same opportunity to await him should he avoid the dynamite in Emmett's hands this Saturday night.
I’ve got a big job in front of me, a big task in front of me," Murphy told talkSPORT. "But obviously we know with a win, I'll be asking for a title shot for sure.
Ilia Topuria done it and I’ll be 16-0. So I feel like if I go out there and put on a good, solid performance and look championship worthy, then I think the UFC will give it to me," Murphy added.
And should that be the case, the Brit is also hoping for the same man who Topuria unseated last February to return to the throne.
I would say Volkanovski (is the preferred championship opponent), just because of the name value," Lerone Murphy explained. "He's a legend, and I think if you have Volkanovski on your record, like when you look back on your career, for me, it's not really about money. It's about status and what I can tell my kids and what I can look back on.
When you get old, all you've got is memories, and you're looking back on what you've done. To be able to say, 'I fought Volkanovski,' would be a big one. I think he gets the job done next weekend," Lerone Murphy continued. "So hopefully it's me versus Volk. But like you said, he's got a tough matchup. I've got a tough matchup. Let's see what happens.
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It's evident that Lerone Murphy will have his eyes on next month's UFC 314 main event for the vacant featherweight title between Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
First things first, though, the Manchester native must stall the late-career ambitions of Emmett, who is returning for the first time since a sickening KO of Bryce Mitchell 16 months ago.