Lauren Murphy will make her final walk to the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Nashville.
UFC Nashville features an intriguing heavyweight headliner between Derrick Lewis and the promotion’s tallest fighter, Tallison Teixeira. The cardboard features several big names and essential fights of their respective divisions.
Several top names have announced their retirement from MMA this 12 months, including Anthony Smith, who walked away at UFC Kansas City. One other name will add to that list on the Lewis vs. Teixeira undercard.
Lauren Murphy set to change into the most recent UFC vet to enter MMA judging
TSN reporter Aaron Bronsteter is reporting that UFC flyweight Lauren Murphy will make her final walk to the Octagon at UFC Nashville this Saturday, as she told Bronsteter in a recent interview. Murphy has hinted at retirement lately but will make her final appearance against Eduarda Moura in a flyweight matchup.
While Murphy’s retirement fight isn’t surprising, it’s what her planned next steps are that ought to excite MMA fans amid recent calls for judging reform.
Murphy told Bronsteter she’s accomplished judging and officiating courses and plans to evaluate fights within the state of Texas after her fighting profession concludes. While her MMA profession is coming to an end, Murphy also still plans to compete in grappling events, as several UFC retirees have chosen to do after hanging up the gloves.
Murphy will change into the most recent UFC veteran to make the move into judging after hanging up the gloves. Chris Leben, an MMA pioneer and The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 alum, has served as a judge at several UFC events lately.
Murphy will look to conclude her MMA profession on a positive note this weekend. She hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade at UFC 283.
42-year-old UFC Nashville star dismisses retirement win-or-lose this weekend
Meanwhile, one other decorated veteran will opt to not follow in Murphy’s footsteps at UFC Nashville. Former UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson, 42, says he plans on fighting well past his current UFC contract, despite a recent losing skid.
Thompson will face a steep test against Gabriel Bonfim this Saturday at UFC Nashville. He’s lost 4 of his last five fights, including a recent knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307.
Thompson will look to earn his first victory since defeating Kevin Holland at UFC Orlando in 2022.