A big-time matchup of English prospects is in the works for London, as featherweights Lerone Murphy and Nathaniel Wood are expected to meet on March 18 at UFC 286.
MMA Fighting confirmed the news Friday following an initial report by Al Zullino.
Murphy (11-0-1) is unbeaten over his four-fight UFC career but has been out of action since an October 2021 knockout win over Makwan Amirkhani.
A 31-year-old up-and-comer known as “The Miracle,” Murphy is perhaps best known for his harrowing backstory, which saw him shot twice in the face in a drive-by shooting in Manchester at age 21, only for him to spit out the bullets and survive after being transported by a friend to the hospital. The traumatic encounter led to his nickname.
Murphy’s UFC run also includes a first-round knockout over Ricardo Ramos as well as a decision win over Douglas Silva de Andrade.
Wood (19-5) is unbeaten in back-to-back fights since moving up to the 145-pound division, having earned decision wins over Charles Rosa and Charles Jourdain in 2022.
A 29-year-old protege of UFC veteran Brad Pickett, Wood has won six of his eight total UFC appearances and was a Cage Warriors bantamweight champion prior to his octagon run.
UFC 286 takes place at the The O2 Arena in London.
A main event for the card has yet to be determined.
Mike Heck also contributed to this report.