Lerone Murphy Demands To Stay Busy

Despite the short notice and high stakes, undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) has agreed to face promotional newcomer Aaron Pico (13-4 MMA) at UFC 319 on August 16 in Chicago. The fight comes after Pico’s originally scheduled opponent, Movsar Evloev, withdrew from UFC on ABC 9.

Murphy, currently ranked No. 6 in the UFC featherweight division, acknowledged the risk of taking a fight with Pico a dangerous and athletic striker known for his wrestling and knockout power with just three weeks to prepare. But the 32-year-old Brit is embracing the challenge.

Stay ready, stay sharpe

“The game’s the game,” Murphy explained on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “From a business perspective, people would probably have said, ‘You shouldn’t take the fight. Sit out, and wait for a big opportunity.’ But, it’s like for me, I think this is a big opportunity. I just want to fight. I’m not getting no younger. I want to stay active, I want to fight. Who’s to say when everybody else is going to be ready to fight?

“Everybody seems to get surgery and whatnot. So, do I want to sit out until December, November? No, I don’t. I’m ready to go now. So, whoever, whenever. If I believe I can be champion, I’ve got to be able to fight anybody in any given moment, and that’s it for me. I know it’s a tough fight, I know it’s a dangerous fight. Big risk, big reward. I’m happy, and I’m excited.”

Murphy emphasized his desire to remain active rather than sit out and wait for a higher profile bout later in the year. He views this as a pivotal opportunity to climb even higher in the rankings and assert himself in a division dominated by vocal contenders.

“It’s a big opportunity for me, now in the position I’m in, to make some noise and try to get that No. 1 spot,” Murphy said. “Because a fighter like me, who’s quiet and whatnot, I’ve got to take these chances. They’re not going to give me nothing for free.”