Manchester MMA fighter Lerone Murphy has made a promising prediction ahead of his fight at UFC 319 and says he wants a shot at the title.
The Old Trafford-born combatant is on the undercard for the highly anticipated bout between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, but just before the main event, the orthodox striker is set to take on American opponent, Aaron Pico, in an equally eye-catching clash on Sunday, 16 August.
Although this is expected to be the toughest fight of his career yet – having currently won 16 and drawn just one of his first 17 fights – ‘The Miracle’ Murphy believes he can notch a decisive victory, telling Card Player: “I want to go out there and make a big statement, and I want to finish him.”
Even more excitingly, the 34-year-old also believes this match-up should set him up nicely for the title fight he believes he deserves, stating that he’s aiming to take on the current reigning champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Speaking in a fairly confident interview, now just days away from the event, the experienced Mancunian athlete went on to claim that not only does he believe it’ll be a spectacle in terms of the contrast in their styles, but he reiterated, “I think I can find holes and I believe I’m going to come out victorious.”
He arrived in the competition already boasting eight wins – five of them being knockouts – but this is still sure to be his biggest test yet, though he insists he doesn’t enjoy being considered the ‘underdog’ but even thrives the more people underestimate him.
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Wasting no time in calling out the Australian top dog of the featherweight division, reclaiming his title with a unanimous decision victory over Brazilian fighter Diego Lopes back in April, Murphy says he’ll do anything and “fight anyone” to become Britain’s next UFC champion.
“I’m looking at anything to get to the title – I’ll fight anybody to get to Volk”, says the local lad. “Obviously, there are other options and probably better fights to take to get me there. I did think I would’ve been fighting Arnold Allen now, to be honest.
“When I was looking at the division and everybody’s injured or matched up, Arnold Allen was the only one. So I did think I would’ve been fighting him, but if the UFC wants it and he wants to, we can do it in the UK. I don’t think it’s going to happen for now.”
In fact, he plans to get it done by the end of the year and possibly even retain it in a hometown defence come early 2026.
Murphy told the outlet this week, “I win this fight, I challenge Volk in maybe October or November. I win, obviously, and then I defend it in Manchester in March. That would be the perfect scenario for me.”
You can see what he had to say in the most recent UFC media day in Chicago down below:
Lerone Murphy’s full press conference ahead of UFC 319.
In case you’re looking for a summary, besides what we’ve already covered above and citing Mike Tyson as his fighting role model, the nephew of late boxing trainer and Manc native Oliver Harrison, did admit that he feels he’s lost a fair amount of his punching power due to weight cutting.
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He also expects Chimaev to come out the other side against du Plessis.
Put simply, thinks fight fans and commentators alike need to “put more respect on Khamzat”, putting his money on the Russian “maybe getting a third or second round submission.”
Do you fancy him to make it past Pico and, more importantly, do you think he’s ready for (dare we say it…) Volk?
After his first UFC fight ended in a draw, Lerone Murphy has gone on an absolute tear 🔥
Featured Images — Publicity picture (supplied via Card Play)
Sport
Kate Scott praised for impassioned speech following more racism in Champions League
Danny Jones
Football pundit and sports presenter Kate Scott has been met with plenty of praise for her ‘expert’ handling of the fallout following more racism in the Champions League this week, delivering an emotional and impassioned speech about discrimination live on TV.
The Manchester-born broadcaster, formerly Kate Abdo, was serving as the host on her usual CBS Sports panel on Tuesday, 17 February, when the story of the playoff game between Benfica and Real Madrid – which included a worldie from Vinicius Jr. – was overshadowed by more allegations of racial abuse.
In case you missed it, Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making racist remarks by both Vini Jr and Kylian Mbappe, but supposedly covered his mouth so as not to be caught on camera; the match was then stopped for more than 11 minutes.
Speaking in the aftermath amid the following European fixtures the next day, the Withington-schooled journalist and University of Salford graduate delivered an eloquent reaction to the controversy with peak professionalism.
Absolutely pitch perfect, and all those involved in preparing the statement should be applauded.
While Scott herself recognised that it’s a shame we even have to keep talking about issues like these rather than the sheer simplistic beauty of, well, ‘the beautiful game’, her response is an example of the job being done at arguably its very best: factual, ethical, moving and inspiring.
As you can see, Scott goes on to say, “This isn’t Real Madrid versus Benfica – it is right versus wrong. Vini Junior and Kylian Mbappe said that there was repeated racial abuse.
“Gianluca Prestiani said they misheard, but he covered his mouth to hide what he said from the cameras, and hopefully, we can all agree that if what you are saying on a football pitch is shameful enough to have to hide it from the public, then you’re wrong.”
The Portuguese club, which ultimately lost 1-0 in their first leg at home on the night, have released a statement reaffirming their commitment to “equality, respect, and inclusion” but reiterates that they believe Prestiani and feel he is now the subject of a “defamation campaign”.
Conversely, in a definitive and emphatic closing message, she signs off by adding the following: “The racial diversity on a football pitch in the Champions League is the representation of the global love for this game and the global belonging in this game. This is the very spirit of football.
“And if you don’t agree, then respectfully, you are the one who doesn’t belong.”
This is what the Athletic is supposed to be. Telling important stories & giving in depth analysis. I hope this signals that it will be its focus moving forward.
From CBS ‘Golazo’ show being applauded for tackling the subject head-on, to Cross herself being labelled as everything from “a role model” and “a benchmark” to “the best on the planet” in the outpouring of reactions on social media, it’s fair to say they absolutely nailed it.
Sadly, this is one of many recent examples of prejudice being shared publicly across various UEFA tournaments and beyond in recent years, but the only way we can truly help anti-hate initiatives is by continuing to call them out.
Stockport County defender Tyler Onyango out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Stockport County defender Tyler Onyango is set to be ruled out for the rest of the season as the club confirms he has injured his hamstring yet again.
County manager Dave Challinor delivered the unfortunate news in his most recent pre-match press conference ahead of the local clash against Wigan Athletic, revealing that the injury, which saw Onyango forced off in the defeat against Bradford City, as feared, is fairly serious.
The young Luton-born full-back has played a baker’s dozen worth of games already this campaign – already three more than his first term last year – but is now scheduled to be out for a number of weeks and isn’t likely to return before Stockport’s promotion race ends.
With the Greater Manchester club having stayed well in and amongst the playoff scrap spots, currently sat in 5th, losing a player in a key wide position is the last thing the Hatters need.
Damaging his hamstring once more, and not for the first time (suffering multiple related setbacks since 2023), the 22-year-old has racked up a number of concerning injuries at a young age.
As well as a hernia problem, Onyango fractured his ankle in 2021 and was sidelined for more than a third of the year in 2022/23 with a hip flexor issue.
He only returned to action after his last muscle strain this past December and did look to be finally enjoying a decent run in Challinor’s side.
On the other hand, the Everton loanee’s performances haven’t always been consistent, and while many fans recognise he’s a “good player when fully fit” and has progressed since he arrived in SK3, other supporters fear he may not be a reliable enough option.
Writing on X, one user said: “A player who has improved since last season and adds quality to the group. My question to the club is, at what point is maintaining good injury-prone players a potential detriment to the squad rather than a positive ‘gamble’ given we haven’t had consistent wingbacks all season?”
Sadly for the young right-back, who has shown promise in spells bombing down those flanks, his second stint at Edgeley Park is being cut short just like his last one.
Detailing that Onyango “will now go for surgical opinion”, a club statement put simply, “Whatever the outcome, the setback brings his second loan spell at Edgeley Park to a premature end.
Praising the versatile defender for his efforts and resilience thus far, they go on to add: “We wish Tyler all the best and will continue to offer our support throughout his recovery. We thank him for his efforts during his time as a Stockport County player.”
It remains to be seen whether or not they will attempt to keep him close and secure a third temporary deal come the summer.
One player they have decided to help complete his loan trilogy is returning winger Louie Barry, who isn’t expected to be back in action until March, but could provide plenty of solutions on the pitch.
You can see Dave Challinor’s post-match presser following the double defeat to Bradford here.
Danny Jones -
14th August 2025 
