UFC 308: Lerone Murphy says fighting is therapy and believes fight with Arnold Allen will happen

Lerone Murphy says fighting is his “therapy” as he prepares to face Dan Ige at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

The Manchester fighter is nicknamed 'The Miracle' as he has experienced two near-death moments in his life.

Murphy was shot in the face in 2013 and hit a car while cycling in 2022.

The 33-year-old is at the peak of his fighting career with an undefeated record and says every fight in his 15-fight career has been a “therapy appointment.”

“For me that’s what fighting is, you get to know yourself a lot better. I feel like all fighters have some kind of demons; it’s a strange thing,” Murphy told BBC Sport.

“It’s a constant trial, the mixed emotions, the rollercoaster of emotions.”

“I feel like it makes you a better man and I desperately need the fight. 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 May bout was named Fight of the Night and marked the first time Murphy made headlines as a UFC fighter.

But Murphy is still building his reputation in the division, with players such as British stars Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall gaining the most traction last year.

Murphy is one of the few undefeated UFC fighters from England and says he knows his talents have “gone under the radar”.

“That’s just because I’m quiet. Nobody recognized Leon until he won the belt,” Murphy said.

“I think you don’t have to go out and be a loudmouth, but you have to do more work in the cage if you don’t.”

“But I just focus on what I'm actually doing. If I win this fight, I’m 15-0 (with a draw), you can’t deny me anything.”