Did judges at UFC London get Movsar Evloev-Lerone Murphy scorecards wrong? Oasis' Noel Gallagher has his say

It was a contentious end to UFC London at the O2 Arena with Movsar Evloev awarded a main event triumph over home favourite Lerone Murphy via majority decision. TNT Sports experts Adam Catterall, Nick Peet and Michael Bisping could not come to an agreement on their scorecards. However, Oasis' Noel Gallagher and his son were in agreement with two of the three judges.

While there was hot debate among the TNT Sports UFC experts about the call to award Movsar Evloev the win against Lerone Murphy, Noel Gallagher saw it differently.

Evloev emerged from UFC London still undefeated, now with an astonishing 20-0 record, thanks to a majority decision from the judges after a compelling main event at the O2 Arena.

The pair's featherweight title-eliminator bout brought a fascinating climax to an action-packed event in England's capital, with judges Ben Cartlidge, Derek Cleary and Clemens Werner thrust under the spotlight.

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Both Cartlidge and Cleary scored it 48-46 (10-9, 9-10, 10-9, 9-9, 10-9), while Werner had it as a 47-47 draw (9-10, 9-10, 10-9, 9-9, 10-9) and TNT Sports expert Adam Catterall concurred with the latter.

"I'm going to be completely transparent, I agree with [Clemens Werner], who comes up with a 47-47. I thought it was two rounds to Lerone first up and then you've got the back end, obviously, with the points deduction," said Catterall on the UFC London Review Show.

Evloev was penalised by one point in round four because of a second low blow, which left Murphy doubled over on the canvas with an injury in a particularly delicate area.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Catterall continued: "I watched round one back because that's the contentious round with the judges. I disagree with what they've done but I think the key thing is, when we understand the scoring criteria, as we all do, I think I can understand how they've got to that point.

"I do think it's harsh on Lerone though. I thought in rounds one and two there was an accumulation of shots and, [while] the more damaging strikes can be interpreted towards Movsar in that moment, the accumulation of strikes go towards Lerone in that round."

However, former UFC middleweight Michael Bisping disagreed with Catterall, arguing that Murphy should have been awarded the victory because of promising work early on.

It was later revealed in his post-fight interview that Murphy's hip had popped out in the third round, leading to a distinctly one-sided end to the battle.

"The reality is, the rounds were close," said Bisping. "But as I was watching it, I thought Lerone Murphy won one, two and three. Call me biased, because everyone does anyway, but I thought it was pretty evident.

"What did Movsar do in rounds one, two and three? He didn't really land anything of particular consequence. Lerone landed more shots. Yes, they weren't earth-shattering shots, they didn't wobble or stumble him, but he certainly landed more.

"Of course, rounds four and five, Movsar went to work, put a beat-down on him. They were very, very tough rounds for Lerone and Movsar looked outstanding. But there was a point deduction in round four, so I don't understand how we didn't get a draw or Lerone was the victor."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Though Nick Peet agreed with Catterall and Werner that it should have been a draw, the TNT Sports expert had a different scorecard to them both.

"I actually did score the draw, to be totally honest with you," Peet said. "I thought Movsar might have nicked one of the first three rounds.

"In fact, I disagree with the judges. I actually thought Movsar nicked the first round and Lerone won two and three. Then I thought clearly Lerone wasn't the same fighter in four and five. Those were the easiest rounds to score in the whole fight.

"So I think Lerone took it like a champion. He took it on the chin, he wished Movsar well and said please give Movsar the title fight.

"But I think he'll go back and watch that and feel a little aggrieved at the fact it didn't go his way."

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And while all three pundits had a difference of opinion compared with the trio of judges, Oasis musician Noel Gallagher, who was spotted cageside at the O2, felt Evloev had the upper hand.

"Listen, I probably know nothing about MMA because my new best mate, Noel Gallagher, had it scored for Movsar Evloev," said Bisping.

"As I'm walking past, I said, 'What do you think, Noel?' As I say, first-name terms these days - we're like that.

"He said Movsar Evloev and his kid said Movsar Evloev. You've got a Hall of Famer standing here with one eye, clearly can't see a thing. So apologies, Movsar, if I was wrong."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Evloev himself, who is now in line for a title fight with Alexander Volkanovski, was not worried that the judges would not find in his favour.

"Of course, I was [confident that the judges would award me the fight]," said Evloev.

"I won all the rounds. All the rounds I won. The first was pretty close, just the first one. It was close, but still with me. When I throw that kick, maybe I may have lost this round.

"But it was five rounds, four and one [to me]. Or maximum, because of this kick, three and two."

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All UFC events can be re-watched on the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK, discovery+.

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