Lerone Murphy

Lerone Murphy (born 22 July 1991) is an English mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As May 21, 2024, he is #11 in UFC featherweight rankings

Background
Murphy, who was born and raised in Old Trafford, went to St Edward's Primary School in Rusholme and St Mary's Levenshulme and St Anne's High Catholic High School in Heaton Chapel, Stockport. He had been a promising footballer, who went on trials for Liverpool F.C. and had trained with both Stockport County and FC United as a teenager, until at the age of 16 after he suffered a serious knee injury that prematurely ended his football dreams. Being the nephew of Manchester boxing trainer, the late Oliver Harrison, who had trained the likes of Amir Khan and Rocky Fielding, Murphy had done some boxing training, but started his MMA training when he walked into the All Powers gym.

On Saturday May 25, 2013, Lerone having just left a barber shop on Lloyd Street South in the Manchester suburb of Fallowfield, was shot by a gunman. Lerone was hit by three bullets, being hit on the face and neck twice. Due to the injuries, Murphy had to get a set of prosthetic teeth and has a tiny shard of bullet, permanently embedded in his tongue.

Early career
Making his MMA debut at FCC 15, he faced Martin Fouda and went on to defeat him via unanimous decision. Murphy would go on to defeat Tyler Thomas at Tanko FC 3, Jamie Lee at FCC 18, Nathan Thompson at FCC 19, Terry Doyle at FightStar Championship 14, all via first round TKO. He would go on to defeat his next two opponents via unanimous decision; James McErlean at Evolution Of Combat Fight Night 2 and Anton De Paepe at Celtic Gladiator 22. For his final appearance in the UK regional scene, Murphy won the FCC Featherweight Championship at FCC 23 against Manolo Schianna via TKO in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Murphy made his UFC debut against Zubaira Tukhugov on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242. The back-and-forth fight ended in a split draw with one judge assigning each fighter a 29–28 win and the third seeing it as a 28–28 draw.

Murphy faced Ricardo Ramos on July 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 13. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one, earning himself a Performance of the Night bonus.

After his second fight in the promotion, Murphy renewed his contract with the UFC.

Murphy faced Douglas Silva de Andrade on January 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Murphy was scheduled to face Charles Jourdain on September 4, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191. However, Murphy was pulled from the event due to visa issues, and he was replaced by Julian Erosa.

Replacing an injured Tristan Connelly, Murphy stepped in on short notice against Makwan Amirkhani at UFC 267 on October 30, 2021. Murphy won the bout via knockout early in the second round.

Murphy was scheduled to face Nate Landwehr on March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33. However, Murphy withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by David Onama.

Murphy was scheduled to face Nathaniel Wood on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286. However, Wood was forced to withdraw from the event due to leg injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Gabriel Santos. Murphy won the fight via split decision.

Murphy faced Joshua Culibao on July 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Murphy was scheduled to face Dan Ige on February 10, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 236. However, Murphy pulled out in mid January due to an undisclosed injury.

Murphy faced Edson Barboza on May 18, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Personal life
Murphy has a son.

Mixed martial arts

 * Full Contact Contender
 * FCC Featherweight Championship (One Time)
 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Edson Barboza
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Ricardo Ramos
 * MMAjunkie.com
 * 2021 October Knockout of the Month vs. Makwan Amirkhani