Lerone Murphy’s life has been marked by a series of events that make him either incredibly lucky or unlucky, depending on your perspective. The UFC featherweight contender survived a shooting in his hometown of Manchester, England, back in 2013, during which he was hit by three bullets, one of which remains lodged in his tongue to this day. Then, in May 2022, Murphy faced another perilous situation when he was involved in a cycling accident that landed him in the hospital. He described it at the time as “another near-death experience.”
Reflecting on the accident after his win over Joshua Culibao at UFC London, Murphy shared his perspective, saying, “I’m lucky it happened where it happened because if it would have happened in a little dark street, for one the guy would have driven off; and two, nobody would have been there to help me, and luckily someone came out of the house with a towel and stopped the bleeding, and that’s what saved me.” Despite the severity of the incident, Murphy remained grateful for the assistance he received. However, he also noted that the ambulance took 45 minutes to arrive, leaving him in a state of uncertainty, thinking he might not make it.
According to Murphy, the accident occurred when a vehicle made a right turn and collided with him. Although he believed he wasn’t at fault, Murphy has decided to avoid any future bike rides, recognizing the risks involved when sharing the road with larger vehicles. He emphasized the lack of control and protection when riding a bike, even with the use of helmets.
Murphy’s cautious approach is understandable, especially considering that his fighting career continues to flourish. After a split draw in his UFC debut against Zubaira Tukhugov, Murphy has gone on to win five consecutive fights, maintaining an undefeated professional record at 13-0-1.
Unfortunately, the injuries from his most recent accident prevented him from competing at the UFC’s second visit to London last year, and he also missed a scheduled bout at UFC 286 when his opponent, Nathaniel Wood, withdrew due to a leg injury.
On a more positive note, Murphy expressed that he is now in good health, a stark contrast to his physical and mental state 14 months ago. He mentioned struggling with post-concussion syndrome for a considerable period and experiencing depression for around six weeks. However, he credited his friends for supporting him during this difficult time, taking him out for walks and helping him through the dark moments. Looking back, Murphy noted the significant change in his life, from being down and out to feeling like he’s on top of the world, having successfully returned to the octagon with two victories.