For months, it looked like Lerone Murphy had earned his moment. After a stunning spinning elbow knockout win over Aaron Pico at UFC 319, the undefeated English featherweight seemed destined to face Alexander Volkanovski for the 145 lbs. title. Even the champion himself appeared to be on board with the challenge. But as the dust settled and Volkanovski’s next move became uncertain, the UFC’s matchmaking has come under fire.

The drama ignited after Murphy’s cryptic post on X, shared by Championship Rounds, went viral. “Some of us take the stairs, some take the elevator. Either way, same destination,” he wrote, adding fuel to the speculation about his stalled title opportunity. When a fan replied, “I thought you’re getting a title shot in February,” Murphy responded, “Me too but it will come in due time.” That short exchange was enough to send fans spiraling, and the MMA community is now turning its frustration toward UFC matchmakers.

No ‘miracle’ for Murphy despite 9-fight winning streak, undefeated

Murphy, known as ‘The Miracle,’ is 17-0-1 and riding an unbeaten streak that’s turned him into one of the featherweight division’s hottest prospects. His finish of Pico wasn’t just another win; it was a statement, the kind of highlight that puts fighters directly into title conversations.

Even Volkanovski, never one to hand out praise lightly, publicly named Murphy as his preferred opponent, as he stated at the time, “I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer, December’s looking good. There were earlier dates that probably wouldn’t work for guys who are fighting right now anyway, so the later dates were always looking better for me, and for my future potential opponents. So December’s looking like it could be there.”

But things changed fast. In a recent interview with Submission Radio, ‘The Great’ confessed, “I thought that was what it was gonna be, but there might be a spanner in the works”, when asked about his previous plans to fight Lerone Murphy in December. In fact, talks surrounding other possible contenders further complicate things. Movsar Evloev, who was supposed to fight Pico but withdrew due to injury, might be given the next shot instead. The irony? Murphy stepped in to replace Evloev, won spectacularly, and now might be leapfrogged by the very man he replaced.

Aljamain Sterling, who’s 2-1 since moving up to featherweight, and Diego Lopes, fresh off a knockout of Jean Silva, are also in the mix. But fans aren’t convinced either man deserves a shot before Murphy. Lopes was dominated by Volkanovski earlier this year, while Sterling’s recent win came against a fading Brian Ortega. That brings us to the growing online backlash as we now take a look at what the netizens had to say!

Fans in a frenzy over UFC matchmaking after Lerone Murphy left on the sidelines

One fan wrote, “Lerone vs Volk is the fight to make at 145lbs. Movsar is inactive and needs a big win. Lopes got a big win over Silva but just recently fought Volk. Lerone got a nasty KO, is undefeated and is active, he should be next for the title shot whereas Lopes should fight Movsar/Yair” . This fan neatly summarized what many believe to be the logical order of merit. Murphy’s momentum, matched with Volkanovski’s willingness, should make the decision easy. Instead, the UFC’s apparent hesitation feels like a snub to one of its most deserving contenders.

Another fan posted, “Movsar gets a title shot for pulling out of a fight Murphy stepped in and won. Make it make sense.” It’s a point that’s hard to argue. The MMA world has seen strange matchmaking before, but this reversal of opportunity has left many scratching their heads. The optics of rewarding inactivity over performance haven’t sat well with fans.

However, one contrasting opinion was put forth by one fan for Movsar Evloev as they pointed out, “Beat Allen, Lopes, Ige, and Aljo. He never needed to fight Pico. Frankly, he should’ve gotten the title shot after beating Allen.” This fan argued that Evloev’s unbeaten record and resume already speak for themselves. From defeating top-tier opponents like Dan Ige and Arnold Allen to maintaining a spotless 19-0 streak, they believe the Russian has earned his shot long before Murphy’s recent rise.

One exasperated fan even wrote, “If Lopes gets the next title shot, that’s a huge f— you to Volk. You’re gonna make him rematch a guy he already dominated and hope he gets KOed?” Here, fans shifted their sympathy toward the champion himself. Alexander Volkanovski‘s willingness to fight new blood like Murphy should be celebrated, not overridden by recycled matchups.

And finally, one summed it up perfectly with, “The matchmaking is so trash. Anyone but Lopes or Yair. Volk doesn’t need rematching—he needs new legacy.” The statement echoes what many feel the division needs: a fresh narrative, not recycled rivalries. Fans want to see the old guard challenged by the new generation, not delayed by UFC politics.

As such, Lerone Murphy has done everything right. He’s stayed active, finished fights, and earned the respect of both fans and his peers. Yet, once again, merit seems to be losing the battle to marketing. The UFC’s next decision, who faces Alexander Volkanovski next, could either reinforce faith in fair competition or deepen the growing rift between fans and matchmakers. Because in the fight game, climbing the stairs is fine, unless the elevator keeps skipping your floor!