Nicknamed ‘The Miracle,’ Lerone Murphy is preparing for his second UFC main event on April 5th at the UFC Apex.
Hailing from Manchester, UK, Murphy will step into the Octagon for the ninth time this Saturday, continuing his journey since joining the UFC in 2019.
Following a victory over Dan Ige in his last fight, the undefeated featherweight contender called out Josh Emmett, and his request was granted.
Emmett, known for his formidable knockout power and experience against top featherweights, presents a significant challenge.
However, Murphy, who has overcome considerable adversity, including two near-fatal experiences, is unfazed.
The Shooting Incident: Bullets Spat Out
The moniker ‘The Miracle’ is rooted in a dramatic real-life event that Murphy is hesitant to discuss in detail.
In 2013, at the age of 21, Murphy was caught in a drive-by shooting outside a barbershop, a consequence of Manchester`s gang violence.
In a prior interview, Murphy recounted the incident, highlighting an unbelievable moment during his UFC 242 debut in Abu Dhabi.
“Everything went black, like in ‘Call of Duty’ when you get shot and hear a ‘beeeeeeeeeeep’ sound. That’s exactly what it was like. I fell to the ground, then woke up hearing this constant ‘beeeeeeeeeeep’.”
“When I stood up, my mouth felt heavy. I spat, and the bullets came out. After that, I got in my cousin`s car, and we rushed to the hospital.”
After a period of recovery, Murphy found MMA, joining a newly opened gym that same year. With an impressive seven-fight win streak in the UFC, he has not looked back.
Focusing on training at the gym became a turning point, transforming his life.
While Murphy prefers not to dwell on this traumatic past, his story serves as an inspiration to others facing their own struggles.
Nickname Reluctance: Moving Beyond `The Miracle`
Lerone Murphy has considered dropping his nickname, uncomfortable with glorifying such a negative event.
He worries about the potential influence, not wanting people to perceive his experience as something “cool.”
“It`s not fun or a cool story,” Murphy explained. “Maybe others see it that way, but it’s not what I want to be known for. Imagine my son searching for it on YouTube and finding all this negativity. It`s just not something I care for.”
As April 5th approaches, Murphy aims to solidify his standing in the UFC, hoping his current achievements will overshadow the harrowing start to his journey in mixed martial arts.
“I want to be recognized as a skilled fighter, not just ‘the guy who got shot’,” he stated. “I believe I’ve already proven myself in this sport as a strong competitor.”
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley