She didn’t win the fight, but Anchorage’s Lauren Murphy’s toughness and tenacity surely won the respect of anybody that watched her in action at UFC Utica in New York.
The 34-year-old bruiser never stopped charging and battled to the end before dropping a unanimous decision in the women’s flyweight bout to UFC newcomer Sijara Eubanks in a fight televised on Fox Sports.
The loss was just Murphy’s fourth in 14 professional fights dating to 2010.
This was her sixth career UFC fight, a serious nod to her mixed martial arts skills. It also validates her as one of the most accomplished fighters in Alaska history.
Murphy, of Chugiak High fame, has another badge of honor:
She’s never been knocked out.
All four losses have come by decision, confirming the Alaskan’s always-tough reputation.
A Eubanks KO looked possible in the first round after she connected with a strong left hand that left Murphy battered and bloodied.
But Murphy stayed strong and finished the three-round fight.
She owns 10 pro wins, including two in the UFC, most recently last December when she posted a split decision victory in the UFC Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale in Las Vegas.