Lerone Murphy

Lerone Murphy (born 22 July 1991) is an English professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 3 February 2026, he is #3 in Meta 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 25 May 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Murphy made his UFC debut against Zubaira Tukhugov on 7 September 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 16 July 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 20 January 2021 at UFC on ESPN 20. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Murphy was scheduled to face Charles Jourdain on 4 September 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 30 October 2021. Murphy won the bout via knockout early in the second round.

Murphy was scheduled to face Nate Landwehr on 26 March 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 18 March 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 22 July 2023 at UFC Fight Night 224. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

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

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

Murphy faced Dan Ige on 26 October 2024 at UFC 308. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Murphy faced former interim UFC Featherweight Championship challenger Josh Emmett on 5 April 2025 in the main event at UFC on ESPN 65. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Murphy faced Aaron Pico on 16 August 2025 in the co-main event of UFC 319. He won the fight via knockout with a spinning back elbow in round one. This win earned Murphy his second Performance of the Night award.

Murphy faced fellow undefeated contender Movsar Evloev in the main event title eliminator bout on 21 March 2026, at UFC Fight Night 270. Despite being the recipient of repeated groin strikes that resulted in a point deduction for Evloev in the fourth round, Murphy ultimately lost the fight by majority decision, marking the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career. 12 out of 17 media outlets scored the bout as a draw while the remaining five scored it for Murphy.

Personal life In May 2022 Murphy was hit by a car while cycling. He was knocked off his bike and almost bled to death.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Full Contact Contender FCC Featherweight Championship (One time) UFC Honors Awards 2025: President's Choice Performance of the Year Winner & Fan's Choice Knockout of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2025: Knockout of the Year MMA Junkie 2021 October Knockout of the Month vs. Makwan Amirkhani Sherdog 2025 Knockout of the Year Bloody Elbow 2025 Knockout of the Year MMA Mania 2025 Knockout of the Year MMA Fighting 2025 #2 Ranked Knockout of the Year Uncrowned 2025 Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Movsar Evloev Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs. Murphy

London, England Win

Aaron Pico KO (spinning back elbow) UFC 319

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Josh Emmett Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Emmett vs. Murphy

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dan Ige Decision (unanimous) UFC 308

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Edson Barboza Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Joshua Culibao Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura

London, England Win

Gabriel Santos Decision (split) UFC 286

London, England Win

Makwan Amirkhani KO (knee) UFC 267

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Douglas Silva de Andrade Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Ricardo Ramos TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Draw

Zubaira Tukhugov Draw (split) UFC 242

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Manolo Scianna TKO (punches) Full Contact Contender 23

Bolton, England Win

Ayton De Paepe Decision (unanimous) Celtic Gladiator 22

Manchester, England Win

James McErlean Decision (unanimous) Evolution of Combat: Fight Night 2

Morecambe, England Win

Terry Doyle TKO (punches) FightStar Championship 14

London, England Win

Nathan Thompson TKO (punches) Full Contact Contender 19

Bolton, England Win

Jamie Lee TKO (punches) Full Contact Contender 18

Bolton, England Win

Tyler John Thomas TKO (punches) Tankō FC 3

Manchester, England Win

Martin Fouda Afana Bipouna Decision (unanimous) Full Contact Contender 15

Bolton, England