Lerone Murphy says fighting is his “therapy” as he prepares to take on Dan Ige at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
The Manchester fighter is nicknamed ‘The Miracle’, having experienced two near-death moments in his life.
Murphy was shot in the face in 2013 and was in a collision with a car while riding his bike in 2022.
The 33-year-old is at the peak of his powers in his fighting career with an undefeated record, and he says each bout in his 15-fight career has been a “therapy appointment”.
“That’s what fighting is to me, you get to know yourself a lot more. I feel like all fighters have some sort of demons; it’s a weird thing,” Murphy told Sport.
“It’s a constant test, the mixed emotions you get, the rollercoaster of emotions.
“I feel it makes you into a better man and I pretty much need fighting. It’s good for me.”
Murphy, who says he has not undergone any therapy outside the cage, is coming off the biggest win of his career against top contender Edson Barboza.
The bout in May was awarded ‘Fight of the Night’ and was the first time Murphy had headlined as a UFC fighter.
But Murphy is still building his reputation in the division, with the likes of British stars Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall gaining the most traction in the last year.
Murphy is one of the few UFC fighters from England left standing who is undefeated and says he knows his talents have “gone under the radar”.
“It’s just because I’m quiet. Nobody recognised Leon until he won the belt,” Murphy said.
“I think you don’t have to go out there and be a loudmouth, but you have to do more work in the cage if you’re not.
“But for me I’m just focused on what I’m doing really, If I win this fight I’m 15-0 [with one draw], you can’t deny me.”
