Lauren Murphy realizes the risk she’s taking at UFC 254 and the reward should lead her to an opportunity to fight for the women’s flyweight title.
Murphy, who was originally scheduled to face Cynthia Calvillo on Saturday before a positive COVID-19 test forced Calvillo out of the matchup, will now take on newcomer Liliya Shakirova on Saturday’s main card. The event takes place on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in the culmination of a five-event trip for the promotion.
Both fighters enter the 125-pound contest on three-fight winning streaks, with Murphy holding octagon wins over Mara Romero Borella, Andrea Lee and Roxanne Modafferi.