This was certainly the case after Lerone Murphy knocked Aaron Pico out cold in the first round with a devastating spinning elbow. Along with immediately receiving praise from Dana White, Murphy’s win also attracted the attention of Volkanovski, who appeared to zero in on the undefeated Brit as his next challenger.

In the UFC, timing is everything. When opportunity knocks, you’ve got to not only answer but slam the door shut with authority. That’s exactly what Lerone Murphy did at UFC 319. Originally slotted in as a replacement opponent for Aaron Pico after Movsar Evloev pulled out, Murphy wasn’t expected to steal the spotlight.

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski warns Aaron Pico that he's a different level. Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) said he's confident that he has the skillset to knock out Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC), and that the champion has never faced anyone with his wrestling caliber.

Carlos Prates landed a savage spinning elbow knockout win over Geoff Neal at UFC 319. In the very next fight, Murphy connected with the same scary strike to put Pico to sleep and make his case for a 145lb title shot. Volkanovski’s immediate reaction to the sickening finish suggests the Englishman is next in line.

Alexander Volkanovski recently fired back at Aaron Pico after he made bold comments about a hypothetical fight between them.