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Lerone Murphy is back in the gym after his first professional defeat, and the English UFC featherweight says the loss to Movsar Evloev has changed how he approaches the next stage of his career. Murphy lost a close majority decision to Evloev in the UFC London main event at The O2 on March 21, ending an 18-fight unbeaten run.

The Manchester fighter has reviewed the bout and remains convinced the scorecards did not fully reflect his work. Evloev won 48-46 on two cards, while the third judge scored the fight 47-47 after Evloev lost a point for repeated low blows in the fourth round.

Lerone Murphy Says First UFC Loss Has Put Him “Back Into Gear” Ahead of Return

“After watching the fight back, I’ve studied the tape extensively,” Murphy said, speaking to Nick Dacres of Combat Evolved. “Realistically, it should have been a draw. I think I took two rounds. One hundred percent, I took the second and the third round. The first round could have gone either way because nothing really happened in the round. I think it should have been a draw at best for him.”

Murphy’s take differs from the final result, but he is not presenting the decision as the central reason for his loss. He has accepted that he did not produce the performance he expected in a five-round fight with one of the division’s leading contenders.

“I almost got into the rhythm of just thinking I’d win the fight regardless,” Murphy, 35, said. “This has kicked me into gear, really, to take the fights more seriously.”

The defeat came with a physical setback. The English athlete said he injured his left hip during the fight, later confirming he had torn his hip flexor. Reports from the event said he told his corner that his hip had “popped,” and he continued through the fifth round despite the issue.

The 35-year-old fighter told Combat Evolved he is unsure whether the injury happened during a wrestling exchange or when he landed awkwardly while attempting a spinning elbow. He said each kick afterward came with discomfort and clicking around the hip. Still, he avoided making it a reason for the result.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: (L-R) Lerone Murphy of England punches Movsar Evloev of Russia in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The O2 on March 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I had a good camp, to be honest. I put the work in, as always,” Murphy said. “But I believe there were certain situations in the camp where my mind was kind of here, there and the other. No excuses, though.” He also dismissed the idea that he was distracted by a title shot or looking past Evloev. Murphy said his focus was simply not where he wanted it to be during parts of camp, even though he understood the scale of the assignment against another undefeated contender.

Murphy, 17-1-1, is already working through his return at Apex Combat & Conditioning. He said he had reached his second week of MMA sparring when the interview was filmed, following rehab and strengthening work on the hip. His training session included five rounds of sparring followed by situational wrestling and grappling. Murphy described it as part of a standard weekly group at the gym, where a small number of fighters work through opponent-specific preparation when one of them has a bout coming up.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: (R-L) Movsar Evloev of Russia punches Lerone Murphy of England in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The O2 on March 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I want to be fully fit next camp,” he said. “I’m going to take my time. I want to get out again this year, so it’s important I take my time.” Murphy said he hopes to return in September or October, with UFC Abu Dhabi in October among the events he would consider. No opponent has been confirmed.

The loss has delayed Murphy’s title push, though he has not changed his final target. He named Diego Lopes, Yair Rodriguez and other top-five featherweights as possible next opponents, with the aim of getting back into title contention. He also wants another meeting with Evloev, preferably with the UFC featherweight belt at stake.

“I need that one back,” Murphy said. “If it’s for the title, even better. I know I didn’t perform like I could have, and the fight still was as close as it was,” Murphy said. “I know I’m going to get the championship sooner or later. 2027.”