After a dominant unanimous decision over Robson Conceicao to retain the IBF lightweight title on Saturday, Muratalla told DAZN’s Chris Mannix in the post-fight interview that he plans to move up to 140 pounds for his next fight. The Fontana, California, native said he’d want to jump right into the title picture with his debut in the weight class.

“Any of the champions,” Muratalla said. “I’m ready for it and can’t wait for it. I’m here to win. I’m a champion, and I’m looking for a great fight and I’m looking to beat these champions."

The IBF 140-pound title is vacant after Richardson Hitchins (21-0, 8 KOs) dropped it earlier this year to move up to welterweight. Gary Antuanne Russell (19-1, 17 KOs) holds the WBA title, while Dalton Smith (19-0, 14 KOs) has the WBC belt. Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3-ranked fighter pound-for-pound, is The Ring and WBO champion.

Muratalla's victory over Conceicao came in the co-main event of William Zepeda’s one-sided unanimous decision win over Lamont Roach Jr. to claim the vacant WBC lightweight title at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, on DAZN.

Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs), The Ring’s No. 2-ranked lightweight, defended the title twice after being elevated from interim to full champion in June 2025. Vasiliy Lomachenko, a three-division titleholder and two-time Olympic gold medalist, previously held the belt before retiring last summer. In his first title defense, Muratalla, 29, won a competitive majority decision over Andy Cruz on January 24.

Muratalla’s performance against Conceicao (21-4-1, 10 KOs), a former 130-pound world champion and 2016 Olympic gold medalist for Brazil, was far more definitive. Muratalla landed the harder and cleaner shots throughout the fight.

Despite the one-sided nature of his win, Muratalla wasn’t happy with his performance and noted the impact the weight cut had on it.

“Not my best, to be honest with you,” Muratalla said. “It was trouble making weight. I felt it this fight. I think I’ll feel a lot better and a lot stronger at 140…I think this is going to be my last time fighting at 135. It’s getting tough making this weight. I’m looking forward to moving up.”

Artur Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs) and Cruz (7-1, 4 KOs) are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, by the IBF at lightweight and would be first in line for a shot at the title if Muratalla vacates the belt.