The boxing world had its miracle man, Daniel Jacobs, who overcame Osteosarcoma and became a world champion boxer. The MMA world has a prospect like Jacobs in Lerone “The Miracle” Murphy. The undefeated Murphy recently defeated Edson Barboza at UFC Vegas 92 but apparently intends to change his nickname.
Murphy battered Barboza in the main event of UFC Vegas 92. Barboza couldn’t deal with the power and pressure of the British fighter. Two judges scored the fight 50-45, while the third had it 49-46, all for Murphy. Interestingly, Murphy expressed his intention to change his nickname after the victory, and he had a reason for it.
Listen, I’m going to change my name back to the Ice Man because there’s nothing miraculous about this. I’m meant to be here, destiny. I meant to be here and I’m going to be champion. Simple.
Lerone Murphy via octagon interview at UFC Vegas 92
Murphy also called out UFC CEO Dana White for a $50K bonus, which he eventually got as his fight with Barboza won the Fight of the Night. The Brit has now defeated Barboza, who is 12th in the featherweight rankings. As such, Murphy called for a fight with a top 10 contender next.
Commentator Brendan Fitzgerald revealed matchmaker Sean Shelby‘s conversation with Dominick Cruz, calling Murphy’s recent performance the best he has ever seen. Nonetheless, Murphy couldn’t finish Barboza even though the Brazilian looked hurt multiple times throughout the fight.
Lerone Murphy reveals why he couldn’t finish Edson Barboza
Edson Barboza is one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC. He has several highlight-reel finishes, most via a variety of kicks. Even though he lost to Lerone Murphy at UFC Vegas 92, he hurt Murphy with an upkick in the final seconds of round 1.
Lerone Murphy (Image via: Instagram, X)Murphy admitted in the octagon interview he didn’t know what hit him. However, Murphy came back strong from round 2 onwards. The undefeated Brit even looked like he would finish the Brazilian veteran but couldn’t put the finishing touches. He revealed why it was so in the post-fight press conference.
Edson [Barboza] is an experienced fighter, and you’ve seen many times a lot of people have rushed in. He’s hit you with knees, he’s hit you with spinning kicks. I had to watch my p’s and q’s on the way in, but I did try to get him out of there. I always fight to finish; I just couldn’t get the finish.
Lerone Murphy via UFC Vegas 92 post-fight press conference
Murphy has traversed great adversity to be where he is now. He had suffered a brutal knee injury and even gunshots to the face and neck before he turned professional in MMA. As such, he became “The Miracle.”
With the victory at UFC Vegas 92, Lerone Murphy will enter the top 15 of the UFC’s featherweight rankings. He has called for a top-10 opponent next. As such, Josh Emmett or Calvin Kattar would be a good step up in competition for Murphy.
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