Lerone Murphy got the highlight moment he was hoping for, while spoiling the debut of Aaron Pico in the UFC 319 co-main event.

Aaron Pico has not wasted any time making his intentions clear in the UFC. The former Bellator standout enters the promotion with a decorated wrestling pedigree and wants to test it against divisional champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Alexander Volkanovski had a fiery response to a UFC 319 newcomer who is promising to upset the apple cart. Before Khamzat Chimaev challenges Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title in Saturday’s pay-per-view main event, a number of other ranked names and charging contenders will be in action at Chicago’s United Center.

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski warns Aaron Pico that he's a different level. Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) said he's confident that he has the skillset to knock out Volkanovski (27-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC), and that the champion has never faced anyone with his wrestling caliber.

Despite being ranked at No.6 in the featherweight division – and a $2.45 TAB outsider against Pico – Murphy tells Fox Sports Australia he not only deserves next shot at Volkanovski, but wins gold. “I think it’s an exciting match up and I rate Volk highly,” the Englishman said this week.

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King later confirmed that he will compete at 145 pounds, meaning ‘Black Panther’ will mark the latest newcomer with their eye on Volkanovski’s gold, following on from the UFC 319 debuting Aaron Pico, who jumped ship from the PFL to the UFC this year.

Anything less than a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski will not satisfy British featherweight Lerone Murphy should he dispatch hot property Aaron Pico in the co-main event of UFC 319 this weekend, as he sets his sights on ruling the division by the year’s end.