Lerone Murphy: His story

From being shot to now on the verge of being ranked in the top 15. The least talked about British MMA prospect?

Manchester’s own Lerone Murphy secured his 12th win at UFC 286 and remains undefeated as he moves to 12-0-1.

Murphy also known as “The Miracle” beat fellow undefeated prospect Gabriel Santos, who stepped in on short notice at UFC 286. He won the fight by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) in the toughest fight of his career.

Murphy was supposed to fight fellow countrymen Nathaniel Wood, but he pulled out due to an injury sustained in training.

Murphy trains out of Manchester top team but first started training at All Powers Gym in Stockport and as by his nickname “The Miracle” his story is nothing short of that. Murphy was shot twice unprovoked in the neck and chin outside a barber’s shop in Fallowfield Manchester aged just 21.

This resulted in him spending a week in intensive care and extra week on a hospital ward. His nickname “The Miracle” comes from the doctors wondering how he survived.

Murphy’s UFC debut came on short notice against Russian wrestler Zubaira Tukhugov at UFC 242 where the Englishmen overcame a tough first round and fought his way to a draw.

Since that result he has gone on to have four straight wins with two knockouts and two decisions. His biggest win so far came up against Finland’s Makwan Amirkhani, a fight where he secured an impressive second round knockout which came via a knee. It was a fight where he proved many people wrong after a rough first round.

Murphy called out his original opponent, Nathaniel Wood at the post fight press conference who he said was “running” from him. He said he wants him on the next UK card and if he can’t get a ranking, he wants Nathaniel Wood.