UFC Vegas 92 breakout star Lerone Murphy eyes a top 10 featherweight opponent next as damage could sadly prevent a quick turnaround for Manchester.
Undefeated British featherweight contender Lerone Murphy earned the biggest win of his career last night at the UFC Apex, but as the upcoming UFC 304 PPV in his hometown looms on the horizon, it’s unclear whether Murphy will be able to make that quick turnaround.
Lerone Murphy puts the UFC featherweight division on notice
Aside from eating a powerful kick from the top position early on in the fight, Lerone ‘The Miracle’ Murphy put on a clinic as he out-pointed UFC veteran Edson Barboza across five hard-fought rounds in Las Vegas.
Not only was the performance Murphy’s best in the UFC octagon to date, but the domination of Barboza also earned both fighters an extra $50,000 thanks to the Fight of the Night bonus.
Given that Murphy is one of only a handful of fighters hailing from Manchester, the 14-0-1 featherweight contender is now eyeing a potential short-notice return for UFC 304 and a top 10 ranked opponent.
Lerone Murphy eyes Top 10 opponent next and path to UFC gold
Speaking to Paul Felder during the post-fight interview, Murphy was running on pure adrenaline as he demanded his next opponent be someone nearer the top of the UFC featherweight rankings:
“Listen, give me anybody in that top 10, I’m ready – let’s go!”
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“Whoever wants it [can get it], anybody in the top 10, I’m sure if look at the names we’ve got in the featherweight division, it’s one of the best divisions, and I feel everybody’s going to be a tough fight and a good fight,” he later told the media.
When asked whether he’d be willing to face fellow Englishman Nathaniel Wood, as the pair previously had a heated back-and-forth exchange on social media, Murphy dismissed the possibility of facing ‘The Prospect’ in his next bout.
“I’m not even going to say anything about that, come on you have to put some respect on my name now – I’ve just taken out Edson Barboza, and Nathaniel Wood is way back there, no disrespect but I’m looking forward.”
“I’m looking for that title and I’m trying to beat guys to get there… My goal is that title, so the work doesn’t stop, this is just the start of big things.”
“I know the UFC recognizes my talent now, they can start promoting me a bit more and putting me in big fights because I’m going to put on a show.”
Murphy unsure whether he can turnaround for Manchester PPV
Looking ahead, Murphy noted that whilst he’d love to make the quick turnaround to return for UFC 304 at the new Co-Op Live arena in Manchester in July, also acknowledged that he might have taken a little too much damage to step in again in just a few weeks’ time.
“I would love to fight there; I’m going to see what damage I’ve got because obviously I’m still full of adrenaline but hopefully I can get on that card.”
“I want to stay active and definitely want to fight on that Manchester card, so let me heal up, get in an ice bath and get some good recovery and then let’s see what happens.”
After some of the adrenaline wore off, Murphy added at the post-fight press conference that he’ll be in Manchester on July 27 as either a fighter or a fan:
“I’m going to jump in an ice bath every day next week, I’m going to go and rest up to get on that card but there’s no rush if not. I’d love to fight on there, but if not, I’ll be there in attendance to watch Rocky win.”
Yet Murphy also demonstrated his industry know-how as he explained that a five-round battle against Barboza is a far more lucrative spot than being featured in front of his home crowd.
“I would have loved to fight in Manchester, but I would have been low down on the main card, and it would have been a three-rounder so this is better than they could have ever given me – and I’ve come out with a bonus and a win so what more could I ask for.”
Lerone Murphy is now 14-0-1 as a professional and is expected to be ranked at least #12 in the division, the spot previously occupied by Barboza, come Tuesday’s update.