UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy delivered one of the most spectacular knockouts seen at UFC 319 this past Saturday in Chicago, reigniting his ambitions for a title fight against champion Alexander Volkanovski. After a dominant and brutal first-round knockout against debutant Aaron Pico, Murphy is confidently targeting a knockout win over Volkanovski in their anticipated clash.
Murphy’s Stunning Knockout Captivates UFC 319 Audience in Chicago
The UFC returned to Chicago’s Windy City Stadium for the first time since 2019, staging UFC 319 with a middleweight championship headlined by Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. While the main event drew considerable attention, it was the co-main event featuring Lerone Murphy and UFC newcomer Aaron Pico that unexpectedly stole the spotlight. Murphy ended the fight with a devastating spinning back elbow that knocked Pico unconscious in the opening round, earning widespread acclaim and the Knockout of the Year accolade.
Although Pico began aggressively, Murphy’s calculated use of the spinning back elbow swiftly changed the fight’s momentum, leaving Pico motionless on the mat. The explosive finish highlighted Murphy’s precision and preparation, quickly placing him in the conversation for a championship title shot in the featherweight division.
Strategic Mastery Behind Murphy’s Spinning Back Elbow Technique
Following the knockout victory, Murphy—nicknamed ‘The Miracle’—expressed eagerness to challenge featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, a request that was positively received by UFC president Dana White, who described Murphy’s performance as his “coming out party.” Despite Murphy’s undefeated status, White’s support suggests the Briton could soon enter the title picture.
Murphy revealed that his knockout maneuver was no accident but the result of extensive practice and specific game-planning tailored toward Pico’s tendencies. He explained that he noticed Pico’s habit of leading with his head and jumping into range, which guided his decision to use the spinning back elbow.
“I was doing it a lot more than that, I just thought where he shoots and puts his head and he often leads with his head, like he jumps into range, and I knew it would work,”
said Murphy during his interview with Ariel Helwani. —Lerone Murphy, UFC Featherweight Contender
Murphy continued, explaining how he strategically set up the technique to catch Pico off guard by initially throwing a spinning back kick, something Pico was likely expecting given Murphy’s previous fights.
“I started with one of them and then when he walked in you can see that he braces, thinking a spinning back kick is coming and the elbow caught him,”
Murphy added. —Lerone Murphy, UFC Featherweight Contender
Confidence Builds as Murphy Sets Sights on Volkanovski Title Showdown
Before UFC 319, Murphy had only secured two knockout finishes in his UFC career, victories over Ricardo Ramos and Makwan Amirkhani. The recent emphatic knockout of Pico, however, has infused Murphy with increased confidence and aggression as he looks ahead to a title fight.
Murphy has expressed belief that he can stop Volkanovski with a knockout, a bold statement showing both respect for the champion and belief in his own striking power.
“Volkanovski is one of the best to ever do it but I think I’m gonna get the finish, I think that’s just sparked something in me where I want to kill again,”
Murphy said. —Lerone Murphy, UFC Featherweight Contender
This declaration marks a significant turning point in Murphy’s mindset as he prepares for what could be the biggest challenge of his career. The knockout against Pico has clearly unlocked a new level of determination in Murphy, signaling a more aggressive approach as he targets the featherweight crown.
As UFC 319’s aftermath settles, attention now turns to when Murphy and Volkanovski will face off. Given Murphy’s rising momentum and Dana White’s openness to his title shot, fans can anticipate a thrilling matchup with high stakes, potentially reshaping the featherweight division. Murphy’s sharp execution of the spinning elbow and his newfound knockout confidence could prove pivotal in his quest to dethrone one of the division’s most dominant champions.