Lerone Murphy eyes Abu Dhabi title shot after stunning win at UFC 267

Englishman knocks out Makwan Amirkhani 14 seconds into second round at Etihad Arena

Fans outside the arena during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 30, 2021. All Images Chris Whiteoak / The National

Petr Yan won the UFC interim bantamweight title fight against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267in Abu Dhabi.

Cory Sandhagen (blue) takes a kick from Petr Yan (red) at UFC 267.

UFC interim bantamweight title match between Cory Sandhagen (blue) and Petr Yan (red) at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Glover Teixeira stunned Jan Błachowicz in their light heavyweight title match at UFC 267.

Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title.

Light heavyweight title fight between Glover Teixeira (blue) and Jan Błachowicz (red).

Glover Teixeira submitted Jan Błachowicz at UFC 267.

Glover Teixeira (blue) overpowered Jan Błachowicz (red) at UFC 267.

Emirati performers during UFC 267 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Allan Nascimento lost to Tagir Ulanbekov (red) in the opening bout at UFC 267.

Tagir Ulanbekov (red) after his flyweight win over Allan Nascimento.

Khabib Nurmagomedov watches the flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento and Tagir Ulanbekov at the Etihad Arena.

UFC flyweight bout between Allan Nascimento (blue) and Tagir Ulanbekov (red) at UFC 267. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Etihad crew members outside the Etihad Arena.

Emirati performers during UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi.

Lerone Murphy (blue) is tackled by Makwan Amirkhani (red) in their featherweight bout.

Light heavyweight bout between Michał Oleksiejczuk (blue) and Shamil Gamzatov (red).

Andre Petroski (blue) takes hold of Hu Yaozong (red) in their middleweight bout.

Zubaira Tukhugov won his featherweight bout against Ricardo Ramos.

Women's strawweight bout between Virna Jandiroba (blue) and Amanda Ribas.

Zubaira Tukhugov after defeating Ricardo Ramos at the Etihad Arena.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos after winning his welterweight fight in Abu Dhabi.

Michał Oleksiejczuk won the light heavyweight bout with Shamil Gamzatov.

Roman Kopylov defends against and Albert Duraev (red).

Khamzat Chimaev won in the first round against Li Jingliang.

Khamzat Chimaev submitted Li Jingliang at the Etihad Arena.

Khamzat Chimaev dominated on his UFC return.

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's win over Dan Hooker.

Khabib Nurmagomedov celebrates Islam Makhachev's lightweight bout win over Dan Hooker.

Heavyweight bout between Marcin Tybura (blue) and Alexander Volkov.

Dan Hooker (blue) and Islam Makhachev (red) at UFC 267.

Islam Makhachev (red) dominated Dan Hooker at UFC 267.

Fast-rising Briton Lerone Murphy is targeting a future title bout in Abu Dhabi after keeping his impressive win streak going with a brutal knockout at UFC 267 on Saturday night.

The Englishman, whose previous three fights in the UFC have all been in the capital, landed a vicious knee to end his clash with the dangerous Makwan Amirkhani 14 seconds into the second round at Etihad Arena.

Afterwards, Murphy conceded he felt “a little off” all day in the build-up, but he came through a tough first round to lift his professional mixed martial arts record to 11-0-1. Having drawn on UFC debut in September 2019 in Abu Dhabi, Murphy has now reeled off three wins since July last year, with the other two landing on Fight Island.

“Massive emotion, big win,” he said. “Took the fight on late notice. The first round was a bit weird. Not sure what it was, think I was just maybe too calm - usually I’m quite pumped.

“The finish was great. I saw him go low, so I just fainted and threw the knee and it was great finish.

On his run in the emirate, Murphy said: “I love Abu Dhabi. This is my home, this is my home. I’m undefeated in Abu Dhabi.

“I love Abu Dhabi. Everything about it. The heat, the nice hotels, the hospitality, the people, everything.

“It’s special. It’s the vibe; it’s my vibe. Get me a house here. Keeping watching me, keep having me. I’m climbing the ladder and I’d love to keep fighting here. Maybe one day I’ll fight for a title here.”

Follow all the updates from UFC 267 right here.