UFC Star Evloev's Desperate Visa Plea to Save London Main Event
Movsar Evloev has disclosed the extreme measures he took to resolve his visa complications for UFC London, after his headline bout with Lerone Murphy faced severe uncertainty. The Russian featherweight contender, who has not competed since December 2024, is set to challenge for a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski this Saturday night.
However, Evloev's participation was nearly derailed when his UK visa was only issued at the eleventh hour. The 32-year-old wrestler admitted he visited the embassy personally to implore officials to grant his entry, fearing the fight would be cancelled.
Embassy Intervention Secures Fight
"It looked like London was not accepting me, but I pushed all my willing and finally I get here, thank God," Evloev stated, contradicting earlier denials about visa troubles. He elaborated, "It was a little issue with my visa. I just went to the embassy and asked the main guy working there, 'please give it to me because now all my career depends on this visa,' and they helped me."
This direct appeal proved crucial, as Evloev emphasized, "This is the only thing that helped me with my visa, to be honest. Otherwise, it could have taken a couple more days, which would mean no more fight for me. But I'm here."
Background on the Fighters
Evloev, who holds an undefeated record of 19-0, was originally scheduled to face rising star Aaron Pico last summer but withdrew due to injury. Manchester's Lerone Murphy stepped in as a late replacement and delivered one of the year's most spectacular knockouts, putting Pico to sleep with a spinning elbow to maintain his own unbeaten status.
Now, a year after missing a home fight against Josh Emmett, Murphy will compete before a supportive crowd against the grappling-focused Evloev, whose style is often criticized for lacking fan appeal. Despite anticipating a hostile reception, Evloev remains unfazed by the partisan atmosphere.
Neutral Ground in the Octagon
"I am from Russia and I am fighting an Englishman in England, but I don't think that should matter in any way," he asserted. "I think what's important is that both of us are athletes and we're fighting to find out who is the strongest."
Evloev added, "Once the Octagon door closes, this is now our territory. It's neutral ground because at this point it's skill versus skill and it doesn't matter where you come from. I'm very proud to be from Ingushetia, but I don't think that has any effect in the Octagon itself. May the greatest win, may the strongest win."
