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)
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A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Tom Aspinall, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and more set to join latest Fight Day 5k in Manchester
Danny Jones
Big names from the world of combat sports are returning to town, not just for the next boxing match happening in Greater Manchester, but for the now regular Fight Day 5k alongside it.
Organised with promoters Matchroom Boxing, local club Manchester Road Runners (MRR), along with a number of other sponsors like Everlast, they’re hoping to make this one of their biggest yet.
Plus, with the likes of Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall in tow and Eddie Hearn himself set to lead the route around central Manchester, there’s just as much reason to be excited by the morning run as there is the next fight.
This event has happened multiple times in 0161 before, but with more people expected to turn up than ever and a homegrown fighter following up later in the day, this one feels extra special.
Scheduled fresh on Good Friday, 3 April (after all, fighters get up earlier than most), the 5k jog around the city centre will be hosted from House of Social – who have been teaming up with MRR for weekly running events since last November – and a whole host of other familiar names are due to join in.
Better still, there’ll be lots of fun to be had later on too, with participants encouraged not only to turn up early and soak up the atmosphere, but to stick around afterwards for a chance to meet Matchroom talents, as well as enjoy a thoroughly deserved post-run drink and chill.
Plus, in case you haven’t tried it before, the scran at House of Social is top-notch and well worth a try.
This latest Fight Day 5k is, of course, being hosted ahead of Sale-born rising star Pat Brown taking on Vasil Ducar on Friday night.
Facing off against the Czech fighter at the Planet Ice arena in Altrincham, the native Team GB boxer couldn’t have put things plainer in his pre-match presser…
So much for trash-talk: he just told everyone how it is.
This will be just the 26-year-old’s sixth fight as a pro, but having won all of his first five fights last year by knockout, we have a sneaking suspicion 2026 is going to be his year.
In terms of his opponent, Ducar is a much more experienced challenge than he’s ever faced before, with a record of 19-7-2 – 14 of those wins also being KOs.
There are still tickets left for the fight, which will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN from 7pm (ringwalks at approximately 9:39pm), and for those of you who want to join in with the partnered Fight Day 5k, you can sign up completely free right HERE.
Danny Jones -
14th August 2025 
