Lerone Murphy’s Near Death Experience: ‘The Miracle’ Recalls Harrowing Story of Getting Shot in the Face

Lerone Murphy is all set to face Edson Barboza in his upcoming bout at the UFC Vegas 92. This would be his first-ever main event fight, despite running on a five-fight winning streak in the UFC. However, the British mixed martial artist was not always a UFC contender. He landed in the Octagon after a near-death experience that changed his entire perspective. About a decade ago, back in 2013, Murphy was shot in the face thrice, in Manchester, England.

Although one of the bullets missed, the other two pierced his face, leaving him bleeding and blacked out. Little did the world know that he would come back stronger than ever, just like a ‘miracle’. The near-death experience, without a doubt, changed the mixed martial artist’s perspective. 

How did Lerone Murphy survive two bullets in the face?

Lerone Murphy is one of the few fighters to have faced death and returned miraculously. The fighter still has the scars from the tragedy. A dimple on his right cheek, where the bullets made entry into his body. It was indeed an incident that would have claimed the lives in the majority of cases. However, Murphy was one of the few lucky ones. 

In a recent interview on ‘SHAK MMA’, Murphy admitted, “I’ve lived a completely different life before MMA.” Talking about the decision he made to change his life, he said, “It was a great decision, and I feel like its destiny. Obviously, we don’t know what’s gonna happen on Saturday [UFC Vegas 92], but I just feel like now, I can, I can kind of help my family, provide a bit and do good things.” He claimed that he was in a much better place now, both mentally and physically.

Meanwhile, this was not the first time that the fighter candidly discussed one of the most horrifying experiences in his life. Recalling the tragic incident [according to The Athletic] back in 2019, Murphy said that it all went pitch black when he got shot. He could hear the ringing noise and when he woke up, the beep was all he could hear. He recollected, “And I stood up, and it felt like my mouth was heavy.”

“So I spat on the floor, and the bullets came out on the floor. And I jumped in my cousin’s car, and we went to the hospital,” the now 32-year-old added. Surprisingly, this wasn’t the only near-death experience for the fighter. He was later involved in a serious cycling accident. 

Not many would be glad for such things to happen to them. However, Lerone Murphy is not one of those, as the fighter was glad that the tragedy happened to him. As per the Manchester native, it was for the best, because back then the gangster culture had already infiltrated Murphy’s house. If he hadn’t had such an experience, he might still be stuck in that life.

“I think it was for the best. If it didn’t, I’d either still be on that path — or I wouldn’t be here anymore,” Murphy quoted, claiming that the incident played a major role in molding his career as a mixed martial artist. Nevertheless, ‘The Miracle’ has now moved miles ahead in his life and is all set to land against Edson Barboza at UFC Vegas 92.

The Miracle’s records in the UFC

Following the tragic events in his life, Murphy decided to build a career in the realm of mixed martial arts. He stepped into the UFC cage back in 2019 and has fought six battles since then. Entering the UFC as a featherweight contender, Murphy has an impressive record of five wins and no losses to his name. Out of those five victories, two are by LO/TKO, two by unanimous decisions, and one by a split decision.

Now, the British mixed martial artist is ready to step into his first-ever main card fight at UFC Vegas 92. Murphy, as a kickboxer, would without a doubt give tough competition to Barboza. Although both of them have almost similar odds, the fight fans seem to have favored the 32-year-old over the Brazilian martial artist. 

What are your thoughts about Murphy’s miraculous recovery? Do you think he could maintain his winning streak and defeat Barboza? Let us know in the comments below.