Lauren Murphy won’t let anybody count her out.
At UFC Long Island on Saturday, the one-time UFC flyweight title challenger moved one step closer to another shot at the gold while stifling former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate’s hopes of becoming a two-division champion. “Lucky” outworked Tate for three rounds, battering her on the feet and even scoring a pair of takedowns against the wrestling specialist. Tate hung in tough until the end, but it was Murphy who had her hand raised after a unanimous decision call.
Ahead of the fight, both fighters had their supporters, and that support only grew during the duration of the 15-minute bout that saw Murphy and Tate display the grit and determination they’ve become known for throughout their careers.
Some felt Murphy was simply more aggressive, while others questioned if Tate was at her best. Check out the fighter reactions and leave your own thoughts in the comment section below.
Very entertaining fight between these ladies!! Congrats to both women @LaurenMurphyMMA @MieshaTate @ufc
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) July 16, 2022
Yes! Way to go @LaurenMurphyMMA !! Great performance! #UFCLongIsland
— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) July 16, 2022
Always respect for Miesha! But Lauren just looked like the more quicker stronger fighter out there, despite being the older of the two! #UFCLongIsland
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 16, 2022
Meisha doesn’t seem to be looking like her usual self in this fight.. maybe the difference in this new weight class, Murphy is looking very good though… #UFCLongIsland
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) July 16, 2022
A non-technical analysis of Tate/Murphy: Lauren is fighting, Miesha is sparring. Our guy @cody_merrow has been all over this one with confidence.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 16, 2022
Let’s goooo @LaurenMurphyMMA looking so good! #UFCLongIsland
— Mallory Martin (@MalloryyMartin) July 16, 2022
Bad to the !! Lessgo @LaurenMurphyMMA
— PEARL GONZALEZ (@PearlGonzalez) July 16, 2022
I got murphy underdog.
— Saidyokub Kakhramonov (@SaidYokubMMA) July 16, 2022
Good to see Meisha Tate back. Let’s see if she’s been away too long #UFCLongIsland
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) July 16, 2022
Huge win for Murphy.. where does that leave her now though.. another title fight?
Where does this now leave Tate? This almost felt like her last shot dropping a weight class to see if she could make a run at 125lb.#UFCLongIsland
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) July 16, 2022
Lauren Murphy shut us all up @LaurenMurphyMMA
— Din Thomas (@DinThomas) July 16, 2022