Manchester’s Murphy got here into the bout with Pico sixth within the UFC’s featherweight rankings after successful eight successive fights within the promotion.
Regardless of his successful streak, Murphy’s reserved character compared to a few of his brash friends means he has typically did not get the credit score he deserves for his work within the octagon.
A scarcity of spotlight reel moments, with Murphy incomes 5 straight choice wins earlier than dealing with Pico, additionally affected his star energy.
However that every one modified along with his beautiful knockout of Pico.
The American, who was making his UFC debut after constructing a frightening fame in Bellator the place he gained 13 of 17 bouts, began strongly.
He utilized the early stress, touchdown mixtures and takedowns with Murphy struggling to get off the again foot.
However after navigating the primary three minutes, Murphy used Pico’s ahead movement in opposition to him as he span round, touchdown a crisp elbow to ship the knockout and ship the American crashing to the ground.
“Pico is nice, that is the toughest first minutes I’ve ever had. However he was too aggressive and I used his aggression in opposition to him,” mentioned Murphy.
UFC president Dana White typically praises fighters who step up on brief discover and he confirmed his appreciation instantly after the competition by granting Murphy a $50,000 (£36,900) performance-of-the-night bonus.
UFC commentator and former heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier later tipped Murphy for a title shot.
“It is Lerone Murphy subsequent due to what he did, touchdown the spinning elbow like that. Everybody else can wait in line,” mentioned Cormier.
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