UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy, who famously survived a shooting in 2013, was later hospitalized due to a cycling accident and has since decided to give up bike riding, but his fighting career continues to flourish with an undefeated pro record and two recent successful fights despite the accident and an opponent’s withdrawal due to injury.
Lerone Murphy can be considered the unluckiest or the luckiest man, depending on one’s perspective. A UFC featherweight contender, Murphy survived a shooting in 2013 in his hometown of Manchester, England, where he was struck by three bullets—one of which remains lodged in his tongue. Following this life-threatening incident, Murphy found himself in another medically urgent situation in May 2022 when he was involved in a cycling accident resulting in hospitalization.
Post the aforementioned accident, Murphy won a fight against Joshua Culibao at UFC London. Following this victory, he made an appearance on The MMA Hour, where he recounted particulars of his cycling accident. He highlighted his luck, stating, “I’m lucky it happened where it happened because if it would have happened on a small, dark street, the driver would have fled the scene and there would have been no one to assist me. Fortunately, someone came out of their house with a towel and stopped the bleeding, which ultimately saved me.”
In elucidating the circumstances of the accident, Murphy pointed to a vehicle making a sudden right turn and colliding into him. He adamantly refutes any blame for the incident but has resolved to abstain from future bike rides, deeming them too dangerous. Murphy’s precaution is justified, underpinning his burgeoning fighting career that has seen him emerging victorious in five straight fights post a split draw in his UFC debut; he now holds an undefeated professional record at 13-0-1. Regrettably, the injuries from the cycling accident sidelined Murphy from participating in UFC 286 and the UFC’s London event last year, when his scheduled opponent Nathaniel Wood had to back out due to a leg injury.
On a more hopeful note, Murphy now regards himself as being in optimal health, which starkly contrasts his physical and mental state 14 months ago. Reflecting on his recovery, he shared, “I battled post-concussion syndrome for a while and dealt with depression for about six weeks. My friends were instrumental in helping me through this difficult period.” He reflected: “My current condition is a day and night transformation from a year ago. I’ve brought myself back from almost being down and out. After two fights, I am once again on the top. I feel like I’m on top of the world now.”