Issue 215
March 2025
E. Spencer Kyte is featherweight’s quietest assassin who is done being overlooked and ready to crash the title party.
Zero. That’s the number of digits in Lerone Murphy’s loss column. He is part of an expansive list of athletes who have worked their way up the ladder in their respective divisions, stacking wins before being recognized as a title threat. Current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is the foremost example, as the man he beat, Leon Edwards, was before him, while others like Caio Borralho, Mario Bautista, and Ailin Perez have also built win streaks while not yet being certified as contenders. Murphy took a step in that direction by collecting wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige to advance to No. 10 in the featherweight rankings, pushing his win streak to seven and his record in the UFC to 7-0-1. It’s an impressive total when you consider those eight bouts make up half of the Manchester native’s pro experience.
“I started MMA late,” Murphy said about his unique career. “I started when I was 22 years old, so I had to put the foot on the pedal, really, and learn on the job. The UFC has given me great matchups. Everybody says I’ve had a tough road, but I needed that tough road to get to where I’ve gotten to. And I believe that you get the experience and the growth from the fights you have, more than just the training.”
The 33-year-old wasn’t a hyped addition to the roster when he first touched down in Abu Dhabi to face Zubaira Tukhugov at UFC 242, battling the veteran to a draw. He didn’t start garnering attention until three fights later when he KO’d Makwan Amirkhani.
THE NEW THREAT
It wasn’t until 2024, when he beat Barboza and Ige that people took notice.
“I’ve fought many different types of fighters, fought the best of the best in the division,” continued Murphy, who headlines the opening UFC event in April opposite American powerhouse Josh Emmett. “Learning on the go has been great for me. I’ve only had 16 pro fights now, and eight of them have been in the UFC. It’s been good. It’s been a good ride, and there is still a lot of work to do. Still a lot of challenges to face. We just keep climbing this ladder, and it gets harder and harder. People get better and better. And you’re just adjusting to that. It forces you to get better as a martial artist.”
For Murphy, those two victories in 2024 confirmed he’s capable of making a title run.
“That was massive,” he said of beating Barboza and Ige. “They’re two big names. Dan Ige has fought a who’s who of the division, been around for a while in the Top 15, which shows how good he is, and Barboza, obviously. Them guys have been around the elite of the elite for years, and that is very hard to do. So to get wins over both of them, it’s massive for me. Massive for my career.”
Murphy lights up when asked about the personal impact of those two wins.
“It’s just given me more belief,” he says. “More belief in my abilities. You don’t really know until you test it against the best, right? As you climb up the ladder and you start beating guys, you know how you’re feeling, you understand the game a bit more, you don’t have that Imposter Syndrome you had in those first couple UFC fights. I know that I belong here, belong in the Top 10. I know that I’m one of the best in the world, and when you get to the top, especially in the Top 10. It just depends on who shows up on the night, because everybody is good. Anybody can win, and that’s why the sport is so fun to watch.
Murphy takes a long reflective pause.
“But it’s only a start. I’ve got a lot of work to do still, so that’s just a stepping stone for me for my career. Last year was a great year, and I intend to do the same this year.”
MANIFESTING OPPORTUNITY
Following his win over Ige, Murphy called out his next opponent, and on April 5, the two men will headline the UFC’s opening event of the month.
“The reason I called Josh Emmett out is for the challenge, really,” Murphy began, unpacking his logic. “I know that if you fight Josh Emmett and you beat Josh Emmett, you’re going to the top. (Ilia) Topuria beat him and got a title shot right off the back of that. So, for me, I’m just looking at how the other guys have done it.”
The excitement in Murphy’s voice gets highly elevated.
“What a great name to get a win over!” he shouts. “He’s one of the best in the world, and he’s only been beaten by the best in the world. For me, it was the challenge, really. There were easier fights in the Top 10 for me, stylistically, I believe, but I wanted the challenge. When I retire, I want to be able to look back on the names I fought and know that I’ve been in there with the best guys.”
Plenty of athletes use their post-fight interview time to do callouts, but rarely does the pairing happen. So what was it like when he learned that his request had been granted?
“It just made it real then,” he said with a slight chuckle. “The challenge is here, and you can talk as much as you want. But when it’s real, I’m gonna have to fight the guy. I know what I’m up against. He’s an excellent fighter, powerful, and I know he has heart, so I know it’s gonna be a tough night at the office. But that’s what I asked for. I want the challenge. I want to go in there and perform, and I believe that I perform when I fight against better guys. The better person I fight against, the better I perform. It brings the best out of me. And I believe Josh Emmett will bring the best out of me. Just the fear of the power he brings. The dog he brings. I’m gonna have to be on my ‘A Game.’”
PERFORMING AT HIS BEST
Fighters are their own worst critics because they also know themselves better than anyone. When someone like Murphy, who has won seven straights in the UFC, comes away from a bout saying that he felt like he was only at 70% - it’s worth noting. We love to imagine what he could do at 100%.
“I hope I show the best version of myself - I need to,” said Murphy, offering a poignant self-critique. “I can’t keep saying, ‘I’ve not shown the best version of myself’ because, at the end of the day, the best version of you is what turns up on the night. It’s not what you do in the gym. It’s not what you do on the pads. It’s on the night. I have to show up, and I have no doubt I can do, but it’s just getting in that zone. I think it’s getting in that mental zone to just let it go. Not put too much pressure on yourself. I believe that’s when I’ve fought best is when I’ve not put too much pressure on myself. Not put too much pressure on the outcome. And just gotten in there and fight.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
And after two massive wins in 2024 and a little time training abroad, the talented Manchester man believes he’s finally ready to go all in.
“I believe I’m just coming into my prime now. The mental. The physical. And the skill set is all aligning now. I’ve fought back-to-back two of the most dangerous guys in the division, so that’s given me major confidence going into this fight.”
And if everything goes according to plan against Emmett, the streaking 33-year-old doesn’t see any reason why he should be on the short list of title challengers in the 145-pound weight class.
“By any means, I can’t look past Josh Emmett. It’s the toughest fight of my career, by a mile. For me, I’m just fully focused on Josh Emmett, but like I mentioned before, if you look at past fights, I referenced Ilia Topuria. He fought Josh Emmett, went the distance, and got a title shot off the back of that. (He’s) fought for the interim title before, so I believe, personally, that a win over Josh Emmett warrants a title shot. Obviously, it comes down to performance. This is a performance-based company. If I go out there and look good, there is a title fight the week after, and I can call for the winner of that, I believe, with a good win. Everybody else in the division has either fought for the title or is not looking great, so I believe it’s who puts on the best performance gets put in line next for the title shot.”
ANOTHER WIN
After manifesting the most recent opportunity, be prepared for a victorious Murphy to look to do the same by calling for a date with the winner of the UFC 314 championship bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. But first, he needs to handle his business on April 5, as beating Emmett is the key to unlocking the chance to move another step up the divisional ladder.
“I’m focused on Josh Emmett. Focused on performing well, and focused on getting that W. I believe that will open all the doors that I need to open. I’m looking for the challenge. I’ve covered everything I can cover, so what will be will be. I’m ready to challenge myself. I’m ready to put myself out there, and to work towards that title.”
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