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.

Alexander Volkanovski drops a subtle hint about who truly deserves the next UFC title shot, sparking debate and fan speculation online.

Lerone Murphy got the highlight moment he was hoping for, while spoiling the debut of Aaron Pico in the UFC 319 co-main event.

Anything less than a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski will not satisfy British featherweight Lerone Murphy should he dispatch hot property Aaron Pico in the co-main event of UFC 319 this weekend, as he sets his sights on ruling the division by the year’s end.

Alexander Volkanovski had a fiery response to a UFC 319 newcomer who is promising to upset the apple cart. Before Khamzat Chimaev challenges Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title in Saturday’s pay-per-view main event, a number of other ranked names and charging contenders will be in action at Chicago’s United Center.

Ever since Aaron Pico signed with Bellator as a blue-chip prospect in 2014, it seemed inevitable that he would fight in the UFC. It comes Saturday.

Aaron Pico is already looking beyond his UFC debut, setting his sights on Alexander Volkanovski and the featherweight belt. Pico, the former Bellator and PFL fighter, will make his UFC debut at UFC 319 on Saturday against Lerone Murphy.

Despite being ranked at No.6 in the featherweight division – and a $2.45 TAB outsider against Pico – Murphy tells Fox Sports Australia he not only deserves next shot at Volkanovski, but wins gold. “I think it’s an exciting match up and I rate Volk highly,” the Englishman said this week.