Eduarda Moura defeated Lauren Murphy through a decision at UFC Nashville in Tennessee last Saturday, and was called to Dana White’s room at Bridestain Arena after a moment. Moura is seen as a promotional outlook 2-0 in the flyweight division with a back-to-back decision over Murphy and Veronica Hardy.
“I was surprised,” Mula told MMA Fighting. “As soon as I left the fight, Dana White was told I wanted to talk to me, and I cried the room like a baby.
Moura said the UFC CEO wanted to reassure her that Murphy is considered one of the best, despite not being ranked among the top 15 flyweight divisions that will be attending the event.
Murphy won five straight wins between 2019 and 2021, earning a shot in the belt of Valentina Shevchenko, a match he lost in the fourth round. The veteran defeated Miesha Tate by decision in 2022 and was on the sidelines since making the decision to Jessica Andrade in Brazil in January 2023.
“I looked at me (white) and said (Murphy) was fifth,” Mula said. “[He]said the only reason she was (ranked) was because she was retired, but I was fighting the fifth rank. He wasn’t the one to rank, and the journalists were doing that.
Moura made her ranking debut on Tuesday, sitting in 15th place.
“I’ve been fighting MMA for three and a half years,” Moura said. “I’m young. I know my flaws. I still know how much I have to evolve and how much I have to show. I’m not in a hurry. Step by step.
Moura had one White request at that meeting, but was part of the UFC Fight Night event held in Rio de Janeiro on October 11th.
“I don’t expect a top ranked opponent next, but I’ll fight the person they’ll send me,” Moura said. “We asked for Jamie Lynn Horse because she was available for fighting last month.
Moura will take a break to celebrate with her Brazilian family and resume training on Wednesday.
“I already thought it would be a war,” Moura said of Murphy’s victory. “I was a little too nervous because that was the most important battle of my career, and I know I could have told you more, but I played safely and securely.
“I was happy that Lauren messaged me on Instagram (Sunday) and told me she gave her everything there and that she was my fan now and that she would support me in the future.