A slow start gave way to a fantastic finish for Lerone Murphy at UFC 267.
After spending most of the opening round on his back, Murphy made a necessary adjustment with some advice from his coaches in the corner as he came out ready to stop the next takedown attempt from Makwan Amirkhani. As soon as “Mr. Finland” ducked his head and grab at the legs, he was met by a vicious knee strike from Murphy, who timed his shot to coincide with the takedown.
As soon as the knee connected, Amirkhani was knocked unconscious as he fell backwards to the canvas as Murphy then celebrated his highlight reel finish at just 14 seconds into the second round.
“I felt a bit off in the back. Once I was warm, I was dangerous,” Murphy said afterwards. “I knew straight away it was game over. We’re coming for that top 15 and that’s $50g’s!.”
It was a very impressive comeback from Murphy, who struggled under Amirkhani’s grappling throughout the first round. Almost immediately after the fight started, Amirkhani was looking to take the fight to the ground where he controlled Murphy while attempting to pass his defense.
That all changed when Murphy set up a beautiful feint that led to Amirkhani going low for the takedown and that’s when he was met with the knee that ended the fight.
Amirkhani actually laid motionless in the cage for a few minutes after the brutal knockout but he was eventually able to get back up to the stool with his coaches and medical personnel surrounding him.
Still undefeated with a perfect 11-0-1 record, Murphy continues to put on memorable performances as he makes the slow and steady climb up the featherweight ladder with this latest win perhaps his best yet.
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