Tag: Lerone Murphy

Grading UFC 308 winners: Magomed Ankalaev, Lerone Murphy and Shara Magomedov’s wild KO

What’s next for Magomed Ankalaev, Lerone Murphy, Shara Magomedov after their UFC 308 wins? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

UFC 308 was certainly a big night for Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev, but there were others on that card that shinned as well.

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] demented himself as the No. 1 contender in the division by defeating Aleksandar Rakic in a unanimous decision, [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] also won on the scorecards, defeating veteran Dan Ige, [autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] picked up one of the wildest knockouts of 2024 by putting away Armen Petrosyan.

Should Ankalaev get the next title shot? Is Murphy ready for the top dogs at featherweight? What’s the ceiling on Magomedov? What should be next for these winners after their respective victories?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, Danny Segura and host “Gorgeous” George discuss some of the big wins under the top billing of Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/h6-QMNMPZ9A

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Unbeaten Lerone Murphy calls out Josh Emmett after Dan Ige win at UFC 308

Lerone Murphy stayed unbeaten and made a big callout after his win over Dan Ige at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] beat Dan Ige with a unanimous decision Saturday on the main card at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Murphy, who stayed unbeaten and made a big callout.

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige

Lerone Murphy

Result: Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Murphy (15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1 UFC), Ige (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC)
Key stats: Murphy has won five of his past six by decision.

Murphy on the fight’s key moment

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige, UFC 308 (©Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie)

“I’m used to overcoming adversity, so it’s nothing to me. It’s a fight. It was a flash knockdown. I wasn’t really hurt. I got my wits about me again within five, 10 seconds. I knew Dan Ige is a banger and I knew that there was a good chance that he’ll put me down at some point. I do a lot of visualization. I go over the good, the bad in my head, so when it happens, I feel like I’ve been there already. I feel like I should have been better defensively. But you live, you learn. If you swim, you’re going to get wet.”

Murphy on improving as he goes

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige, UFC 308 (©Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie)

“I’ll come into that fight a lot better. Josh (Emmett) is a scary man, and you can’t make them kind of mistakes against them guys. They’re the type of fights I want. I want to be switched on in there. I want to perform. I feel like I performed at 60 percent in there today, and I can’t wait to show me at my best. And we’re getting there. We’re learning on the job. I’ve had eight fights in the UFC, 16 pro fights total. So that’s half my pro fights. I’m learning on the job in the best organization in the world against the top, toughest fighters in the world, as well.”

Murphy on what he wants next

Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Josh Emmett (red gloves) reacts after knocking out Bryce Mitchell (blue gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“Let’s go (Josh Emmett), man. Let’s go. Let’s go. If you think it’s an easy fight or whatever, let’s go – test me. I’m quiet in (this sport). Maybe I need to be a bit louder. But I’m just being myself in it. I’m just being myself, and I feel like putting on good fights will get the recognition in due time. I’m learning on the job. When it’s my time, it would be my time. And that time’s coming. I’m 15-0 now. They can’t deny me now. They’re going to give me a top-10 opponent and I’ll show how good I am.”

To hear more from Murphy, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

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UFC 308 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ilia Topuria’s $42,000 leads card

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway combined for $74,000 of the Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay for UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 308 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $252,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 308 took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+

The full UFC 308 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Rafael Cerqueira[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Mateusz Rebecki[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Myktybek Orolbai[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Abus Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Brunno Ferreira[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Farid Basharat[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ismail Naurdiev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Rinat Fakhretdinov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,896,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,633,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

UFC 308 results: Lerone Murphy edges out Dan Ige, calls out Josh Emmett

Lerone Murphy resorted to his grappling to remain unbeaten against Dan Ige at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] resorted to his grappling to remain unbeaten against [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] at UFC 308.

Murphy (15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1 UFC) was cracked early before rallying to defeat Ige (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The featherweight bout was part of the UFC 308 main card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Ige stalked Murphy to start, attacking him to the body and landing a nice combination. A minute and a half into the round, Ige slammed Murphy down for the takedown. Murphy managed to escape by giving up his back and turning out of the body lock. A cut opened up on Ige’s face. Murphy landed a nice spinning back kick to the body. Ige then dropped Murphy with a big counter left and swarmed him. Murphy covered up and fired back with a counter of his own, before taking Ige down at the end of the round.

Ige continued to press forward in Round 2. Murphy appeared to recover as he landed a body kick, followed by a straight right. The pace slowed down significantly until Ige decided to shoot for a takedown. Murphy reversed him and started working for his own takedown. Neither man was successful, as they returned to the center of the octagon. With less than a minute remaining, Murphy took Ige down and mounted him. He transitioned to his back then locked in a triangle choke to end the round.

With the score seemingly tied at one round a piece, Murphy immediately tried to take the fight back to the ground. Ige defended well, but ate a knee on the break. Murphy landed a head kick, followed by another takedown attempt. Ige reversed him and wound up in top position. Murphy tried to use a leg lock attempt to escape, but was denied. Ige tried to take Murphy’s back, but Murphy was able to work his way back up. Murphy then landed his own takedown, and worked for a front head lock. The pair exchanged in the pocket in the final 15 seconds as the clock winded down.

Following his win, Murphy called out former interim featherweight title challenger Josh Emmett.

Emmett responded, and appeared seemingly unimpressed.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 308 results include:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige at UFC 308: Best photos from Abu Dhabi

Check out the best photos from Lerone Murphy’s unanimous decision win over Dan Ige at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. (Photos by Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie; MMA Junkie; UFC)

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC 308

Could an upset be brewing between Lerone Murphy and veteran Dan Ige at UFC 308?

[autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] and [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 2-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 89-81-3

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige UFC 308 preview

Since fighting to a draw in his UFC debut in 2019, Murphy (14-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) has rattled off six wins in a row and remained unbeaten. He’s coming off the biggest win of his career in May, when he won a five-round main event vs. Edson Barboza by unanimous decision in the Fight of the Night. … Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) has a sub-.500 record since 2020, although he remains a tough out when he’s on top of his game. He’s coming off a unanimous decision loss to Diego Lopes this past June, when he took the fight on hours’ notice at UFC 303.

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige expert pick, prediction

Between not giving Ige the spot he wanted on the UFC’s Sphere show to making him fly across the world to take on an undefeated contender with little-to-no name value, it doesn’t exactly feel like Ige’s getting rewarded for making one of the most gangster walks in the promotion’s history back at UFC 303 earlier this year.

That said, Ige has never been a walkover for anyone, and I suspect he’ll make a good account for himself regardless of the result here.

It would probably serve Ige well to go more to the body and counter in this fight, but I’m betting that the Hawaiian has a solid game plan coming into this contest considering he has Xtreme Couture’s Eric Nicksick in the corner.

Speaking of which, I’m too biased toward the Ige side due to my ties to his camp and corner, so don’t expect too much objectivity from me in this section.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m incredibly impressed with Murphy, who deserves to be the favorite and will likely have a bright future in this sport. I just can’t help but biasedly back Ige in this spot.

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the English fighter, listing Murphy -300 and Ige +225 via FanDuel.

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige start time, how to watch

Murphy and Ige are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 2:45 p.m. ET (11:45 a.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

UFC 308 full press conference faceoffs video: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev, more

The entire UFC 308 main card, including Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev, faced off at the pre-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI – The stars of UFC 308 main card athletes came face to face for the first time during fight week following Thursday’s pre-fight press conference.

With fight week festivities rolling on, the athletes for the card took the stage to answers questions from the media, then engaged in staredowns ahead of Saturday’s event, which takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).

In addition to the [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] featherweight championship main event, the anticipated five-round middleweight co-headliner of [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag], as well as main card bouts of [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag], [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] and [autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag] also were in attendance and participated in faceoffs.

Watch the video above to see the full pre-fight press conference faceoffs ahead of UFC 308.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Dan Ige sees UFC 308 fight vs. Lerone Murphy as reward for answering short-notice call

Dan Ige shuts down the notion that he should have been awarded a bigger fight at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] shuts down the notion that he should have been awarded a bigger fight at UFC 308.

Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) faces [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] (14-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) on Saturday’s main card at Etihad Arena (pay-per-view, ESPN+).

Ige is coming off a short-notice loss to Diego Lopes at UFC 303 in June, where he stepped in on just four hours’ notice. Ige was promised a spot on UFC 306, but that didn’t pan out. Instead, he draws undefeated Murphy, but Ige sees many perks in that fight.

“I understand the perspective, but I see this as a reward,” Ige told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 308 media day. “I get to fight a guy above me in the rankings. Yes, he’s undefeated, he’s been tested against worthy contenders, but it comes down to self-belief.

“Belief in myself and my team. I believe we have the game plan to beat him, and that’s the beauty of this sport. Anything can happen in MMA so, I’m going to look to go out there and be the first person to beat Lerone Murphy, and I truly believe I could do so.”

Ige rates Murphy’s skills highly, but thinks one major thing separates them.

“I believe we’re pretty similar in a lot of ways as far as our abilities to fight out of both stances,” Ige said. “He’s a little longer, a little more methodical with his movements, and his feints. I definitely believe there’s a pretty big power differential.

“I’m not going to go out there and look to only land big power shots, but I think you’ll see that difference in the fight. When I hit him vs. when he hits me. It’s going to be a great fight, I can’t wait to go out there and test myself against a guy like Lerone.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Lerone Murphy plans to beat Dan Ige at UFC 308, take on the division’s top 10

Is Lerone Murphy on the cusp of UFC top 10-ranked notoriety? He certainly thinks so.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] admits he felt “superhuman” coming out of his most recent performance, a five-round unanimous decision win over Edson Barboza.

On UFC 308 fight week, Murphy’s vibes remain high as he looks to carry that momentum into his main card bout Saturday vs. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

“(My last fight was) massive, massive for confidence and experience,” Murphy told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday. “I feel like that’s leveled me up going into the trenches. The last two rounds are different.”

Murphy (14-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) recognizes the challenge Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) brings and sees the opportunity as the perfect next step. Should he defeat Ige as he expects, Murphy believes top 10-ranked opposition will be next.

“He’s a solid opponent,” Murphy said. “He’s been in the top 15 for like four or five years now. You’ve got to be good to keep your position there. It’s a big test for me , and I believe after a win over Dan Ige, it’s top 10 straight from there. … That’s disrespectful (to call him a gatekeeper). I don’t think there’s any such thing as a gatekeeper. If you’re in the top 15, you’re in the elite of the world. It’s as simple as that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Dan Ige returns to fight undefeated Lerone Murphy at UFC 308

Dan Ige didn’t get Noche UFC as promised but has another pay-per-view event spot at UFC 308 against Lerone Murphy.

UFC 308 continues to take shape with the addition of an all-action featherweight matchup.

Coming off a same-day notice fight, [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag] returns to face [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] at the Oct. 26 pay-per-view event at Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) stepped up to help save the day at UFC 303. On just a few hours’ notice, Ige filled in for Brian Ortega, who became too ill to compete against Diego Lopes. When the call came, Ige was getting a massage at home. He accepted the fight and immediately began preparing to head to T-Mobile Arena for a fight.

Although Lopes defeated Ige by unanimous decision, Ige was widely praised for filling in. Ige was then promised a spot on Noche UFC at Sphere in Las Vegas, but that did not happen. Instead, he will travel to Abu Dhabi to face an undefeated opponent.

Murphy (14-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) will enter his second fight of 2024. In his first appearance, he kept his undefeated record alive in his first main event opportunity by defeating the always dangerous Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 241.

“The Miracle” has gone the distance in three straight fights, with his last finish coming in the second round against Makwar Amirkhani at UFC 267. Aside from a draw in his debut against Zubaira Tukhugov, Murphy has repeatedly earned victories as he climbs toward the division’s top.

With the addition, the current UFC 308 lineup includes:

  • Ciryl Gane vs .Alexander Volkov
  • Dan Ige vs. Lerone Murphy
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.