Lerone Murphy follows Diego Lopes' path to UFC featherweight title shot

After UFC Vegas 105 victory, Lerone Murphy sets his sights on Brian Ortega and a chance at UFC gold.

Lerone Murphy of England speaks during a post-fight interview following his featherweight victory over Josh Emmett at UFC Fight Night, held at UFC APEX on April 5, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Lerone Murphy follows Diego Lopes' path as he eyes a featherweight title shot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Following his dominant performance over Josh Emmett at UFC Vegas 105, the undefeated British fighter made his intentions crystal clear: he wants to replicate Diego Lopes' journey to a title opportunity.

“Obviously you saw Diego Lopes get a title shot after beating him (Brian Ortega), so I want to go the same route,” Murphy said in an interview reported by MMA Fighting on Monday. “I fought Dan Ige, same as Lopes too. Give me one of them.”

The featherweight landscape has shifted significantly in recent months. With Ilia Topuria vacating the belt to move to the lightweight division, the title is now up for grabs. Murphy, with his flawless 16-0-1 record, is stepping up to claim his spot among the elite. And he’s not shy about asking for big names.

Building a title-worthy résumé

Murphy’s win over Josh Emmett marked another chapter in his steady rise through the UFC ranks. The Manchester native executed a clean, calculated game plan and walked away with a unanimous decision win. While some critics point to his lack of finishes, Murphy remains focused on the bigger picture—climbing toward a title.

“It was the exact game plan as you saw there,” Murphy explained. “Taking him down from distance, catching him on the way in. Obviously, I wanted the finish. The finish didn’t happen at that point.”

Though he didn’t get the knockout, Murphy believes the strategy was sound. And it worked. Emmett, known for his power and resilience, was neutralized round after round. That’s the kind of control and execution that builds a championship-caliber fighter—if not in highlight reels, then on scorecards.

Inspired by Diego Lopes’ breakthrough

Murphy isn’t just name-dropping Diego Lopes for headlines. He genuinely sees Lopes’ path as a template for his own rise. The Brazilian fighter earned his title shot at UFC 314 after defeating Brian Ortega—a name that now sits high on Murphy’s radar.

“There’s no beef,” Murphy said about Ortega. “But he’s the guy Lopes beat before getting the shot. That fight makes sense for me. I’ve earned that shot.”

Just like Lopes, Murphy has been taking on tough, ranked opponents—Dan Ige, Josh Emmett, and potentially Ortega next. It’s a list that rivals any other contender’s. By facing and beating those names, Lopes gained undeniable credibility in the title conversation. Now Murphy hopes to do the same.

Featherweight division wide open

With the featherweight crown left vacant, the division is in transition. Fighters like Alexander Volkanovski, Yair Rodríguez, and Brian Ortega are still active, but no one currently holds the title. That creates a rare opportunity for surging contenders like Murphy.

Rather than wait on UFC matchmaking politics, Murphy is doing what every smart fighter does—he’s calling his shot publicly and confidently. By doing so, he puts pressure on the UFC to either book him in a top-tier fight or explain why he isn’t getting the chance.

Murphy made it clear that he’s not just fighting to win anymore—he’s fighting to headline, to compete for belts, and to etch his name in UFC history.

“I want someone in the top five next,” he said. “That’s where I’m at now.”

Finishing power vs. technical mastery

Critics have occasionally pointed out that Murphy lacks highlight-reel finishes. With seven of his nine UFC wins coming via decision, some question whether his style is exciting enough to earn a title shot.

Murphy hears the chatter but doesn’t let it define him. For him, control, composure, and clarity of execution matter more than flash. And with a clean record to back it up, he believes his style is both effective and championship-worthy.

“I always want to get the finish,” he said. “But look at the level of competition I’ve been facing. These guys are tough, experienced, and hard to put away.”

There’s truth to that. Emmett has been in wars with some of the best in the division, and Dan Ige is as durable as they come. Murphy’s ability to shut them down systematically shows a level of fight IQ that many champions possess.

British pride and future legacy

At 33, Murphy isn’t the youngest prospect in the division, but he brings a mature, methodical energy to the octagon. Hailing from Manchester, he’s part of a wave of British fighters making waves in the UFC. Tom Aspinall, Leon Edwards, and now Murphy are helping to raise the profile of UK MMA.

For Murphy, it’s about more than belts. It’s about legacy. And that begins with taking the right fights and making a statement in each one.

“I’ve worked hard to be here,” he said. “Now it’s time to go for it all.”

What’s next?

If the UFC takes Murphy’s callout seriously, a matchup with Brian Ortega could happen later this year. Such a fight would not only give Murphy a chance to prove himself against a former title challenger, but also provide a direct path to a championship bout—just as it did for Diego Lopes.

Until then, Murphy will likely stay ready, training and improving as he waits for his next opportunity. He knows how fleeting moments in the UFC can be, and he doesn’t intend to miss his shot.

Lerone Murphy follows Diego Lopes' path with purpose and precision. His performance at UFC Vegas 105 proved that he belongs among the best in the featherweight division. With the title currently vacant and a strong resume to support his ambitions, Murphy is closer than ever to gold.

Whether or not the UFC grants him a fight with Brian Ortega, one thing is clear: Lerone Murphy is not here to simply participate—he’s here to dominate. And if his career continues on this trajectory, he may soon find himself walking out to a title fight of his own, just like Diego Lopes before him.