<ul class="summary-list"><li>One photo encapsulates how shocking and awesome <keyword id="12427376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lerone-murphy" source="Orion">Lerone Murphy</keyword>'s knockout win was.</li><li>The <keyword id="11922276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma" source="Orion">MMA</keyword> fighter stunned Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, onlookers with a counter knee at <keyword id="11922275" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ufc" source="Orion">UFC</keyword> 267.</li></ul>ABU DHABI - One photo shows how stunned commentators were when a <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC</a> fighter landed a nasty knockout via knee strike Saturday.It all went down during the preliminary section of the UFC 267 event Insider attended, which took place inside the 18,000 capacity Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/lerone-murphy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lerone Murphy</a>, a British combatant, stole the show on the prelims, which were broadcast on ESPN+ in the US.The 30-year-old featherweight fought Makwani Amirkhani and was trailing on all three of the judges' scorecards after one, five-minute round of action, thanks to the Iran-born Finnish fighter's expert takedown offense.However, just 14 seconds into the second round, Murphy used his opponent's best weapon against him and, when Amirkhani pursued his seventh takedown, he timed a perfect counter knee.Amirkhani was <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-lerone-murphy-hits-ufc-267-opponent-with-devastating-knee-2021-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rendered unconscious in an instant</a> and lay motionless on the mat for minutes at a time.UFC photographer Chris Unger caught Murphy's immediate celebration as he jumped in the middle of the cage.And if you look closely, you can see UFC commentator and former fighter Paul Felder throwing his hands in the air, in shock, because of the awesomeness of what he had just seen.To his left (or your right, as you look at it), play-by-play guy Jon Anik is screaming into his mic.It was the 11th win of Murphy's burgeoning pro <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> career, and his seventh knockout.It was also arguably the most important, as he will likely have earned a performance-related $50,000 bonus check from the UFC boss Dana White, and a ranking boost in the 145-pound weight class.See the photo here:<div type="image" title="Lerone Murphy made the UFC commentary team throw their hands up in excitement." height="1333" width="2000" msid="87407473" hostid="261"></div>

One photo shows how stunned commentators were when a UFC fighter landed a nasty knee strike knockout Saturday

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Fast-rising <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> star <keyword id="9583246" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lerone-murphy">Lerone Murphy</keyword> returns to the Octagon on Wednesday for a featherweight match on <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>.</li><li>The undefeated Brit has a backstory that is so surreal even Hollywood may struggle to do it justice.</li><li>When he was 21 he survived a drive-by shooting in broad daylight, spat bullets to the floor, and was rushed to hospital.</li><li>Though it was a "big trauma" he regards it as a positive as the journey he's been on since has led him to a much better place — as an athlete looking to break into the UFC rankings, and one day fight for the title.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND - All too often, the theater of combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> creates storylines that appear too surreal that even Hollywood would fail to do it justice.Sometimes real life produces drama more gripping than ones portrayed on the big screen - and Lerone Murphy, a fast-rising UFC star who survived a drive-by shooting when he was 21, spat bullets to the floor, and was then rushed to a hospital, is a living example.Murphy told reporters at a media day Insider attended that the feeling of getting shot is "exactly how you imagine" and compared it to a knockout punch that you can't see until it's too late before dropping to the floor."It's a big trauma," Murphy then told Insider, ahead of his featherweight match Wednesday against Douglas Silva de Andrade - the second of the UFC's three events inside the newly-built Etihad Arena <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on Fight Island</a> in Abu Dhabi."Them things you don't forget," he said.Murphy is a stylish striker with a flawless pro MMA record of nine wins (six knockouts and three decisions) and one draw.He has big aspirations in the UFC as he wants to fight four times in 2021, finish the year as a ranked 145-pounder, and then chase the featherweight title.His nickname is "The Miracle" - a nod to what happened during that day eight years ago when a gunman opened fire on Murphy during broad daylight outside a barbershop in the Fallowfield region of Manchester."It happens a lot in Manchester, especially the area it happened. I've had close friends, family members, who have been shot and killed," said Murphy."It's one of them things that happens a lot in that area … wrong place, wrong time."He spent a week in intensive care at a hospital, had four teeth replaced, and shrapnel from a bullet remains in his tongue to this day - although it doesn't alert security when he goes through airport screening, he said.Almost a decade has passed since the drive-by, and though he does not forget the shooting, waking up in the hospital, or recovering at home, he uses the incident as positive as it shows how far he has come since then.He got into MMA, and the combative sports gave him the discipline to change the direction his life was taking. "I try to keep it as a positive in my life, spur me on, do better, rather than have it hanging like a negative. I try not to look back, but look forward," Murphy said.<h2>Getting his first win in the UFC during the COVID-era in sport was a surreal moment</h2><div type="image" title="Lerone Murphy, UFC Fight Island" height="1355" width="2000" msid="80350813" hostid="261"></div>Insider was Octagonside for Murphy's most recent match in which <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-lerone-murphy-dominates-then-finishes-with-ground-and-pound-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he finished Ricardo Ramos with nasty ground-and-pound</a> before celebrating in front of his UFC boss Dana White, who seemed shocked at the time last summer.Insider described Murphy's win over Ramos as an annihilation and marveled at the efficiency of his attacking output."I'm a striker, and I throw with exciting technique, but I feel I've not yet got to show the best of me, yet," he said, describing his style. "But hopefully, Wednesday, I'll show my best side."Murphy had been given a baptism of fire in his UFC debut, managing to score a draw against Zubaira Tukhugov.The next year, he got his first win. But it did not sink in until he was back at the fighter hotel and grabbed his phone so he could call his mother. She cannot watch her son fight and cannot sleep until she hears his voice."She's nervous, scared, and so I call to [put her at ease]," Murphy told us. "Even if it's 5 a.m., she can't sleep until I phone her. She's super proud of where I am in life now, win, lose, or draw."Besides fighting to make his mom proud, Murphy wants to behave in a way that inspires his young son. Fatherhood, too, allows him to cling to something."My family are the people I do this for," he said."I'm not just doing it for myself. I'm training and working for him now. I want him to be proud, thinking, 'This is my dad.'"I want him to work hard for him, so he never has to go down the road I went down. It's a big task."I'll teach him how to fight because martial arts is a good discipline that has taught me a lot, but I wouldn't want him to [compete]."Before Murphy found MMA, he was an ambitious soccer player. Out of the two sports, he'd want his son to pick the latter."He should get into football. Go and earn that big money … for Manchester United. He has to be a red!"<h2>A war could break out Wednesday</h2><div type="image" title="Lerone Murphy" height="1401" width="2000" msid="80350814" hostid="261"></div>Victory over Douglas Silva de Andrade can act as a springboard to further success, as Murphy wants to increasingly step-up the opposition level and climb the featherweight rankings.His bout Wednesday could be a fan-friendly one, with two strikers promising a stand-up war. "I feel it's going to go that way," he told Insider."A lot of his fights on UFC Fight Pass are from years ago, so it's hard to get a gauge of where he's at now, but I feel I know his game - he's powerful, and I know it's a good fight."In the perfect world, I want four fights this year, get into the top-15 at the back end of the year."Obviously, my goal has to be title, otherwise what are we doing this for? Get the title, and create a better life for me and my family."If his mother can't watch his fights, would she at least tune in for a title shot?Murphy laughs at the thought."No! She can't watch any fights and then watch that one fight! She'd feel like a bad luck charm or something."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-conor-mcgregor-take-yacht-and-rolls-royce-to-ufc-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor shows he's the UFC's version of Tiger Woods as he charters a yacht to Fight Island</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-taken-to-hospital-after-losing-to-max-holloway-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC boss Dana White ordered Calvin Kattar to go to the hospital after he was dominated by all-action fighter Max Holloway</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/alessio-di-chirico-got-a-cash-bonus-for-his-ko-but-shunned-interviews-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC fighter got a $50,000 bonus for a shock KO but shunned media interviews and gave Dana White a moody look backstage</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-would-welcome-ufc-trilogy-with-nate-diaz-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor would welcome a third and final fight with long-time rival Nate Diaz</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-reacts-to-youtube-creator-jake-paul-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor said he's 'certainly a viewer' of YouTubers like Jake Paul, and that they don't make a mockery of fighting</a>

The unbelievable journey of Lerone Murphy, a fast-rising UFC star who once survived gunshots to the face and neck

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9583246" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lerone-murphy">Lerone Murphy</keyword> annihilated his "<keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>" opponent Ricardo Ramos on Wednesday.</li><li>In an entertaining one round bout, one in which Ramos threw spinning but ineffective kicks, Murphy dominated with his ground-and-pound.</li><li>It should be no surprise that Murphy is a tough in-cage competitor, as he was once shot twice in the face but spat the bullets out before driving himself to hospital.</li><li>Watch the highlights of his "Fight Island" win below.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Fight Island"</a> opponent with nasty ground-and-pound Wednesday.Murphy only needed one round to defeat Ricardo Ramos at the Flash Forum on Yas Island, which is a quarantined area in Abu Dhabi that the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> is using to provide its international athletes with competition during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.Ramos had eye-catching moments in the bout but it all too often involved spinning, ineffective, ninja kicks. The Brazilian, 24, failed to nail either of his two takedown attempts, and landed 10 of 29 strikes.Murphy was far more efficient with his attacking output, landing 24 of his 42 strikes, and took Ramos down with one of his two takedown attempts.It was that takedown which led to the end of the fight as Murphy inflicted nasty ground-and-pound onto his opponent.Watch the violence here:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283572347484733440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>The UFC president Dana White was pictured looking stunned by Murphy's brutal finish.<div type="image" title="Lerone Murphy, UFC Fight Island" height="986" width="1971" msid="76990527" hostid="261"></div>"I wanted to prove that I belong here in the UFC," Murphy said post-fight. "I plan to spend the rest of my career in the UFC, climb to the top, get into that top 15 and obviously one day be champion."I'm just going to go back, heal up for a month, and then get back to training and grow and grow. That's all I want to do, grow."Dana White has done a fantastic job with keeping these fights on with what's going on. I'm very grateful to even get out of the house and come to Abu Dhabi where the hospitality is amazing. If Fight Island comes back later in the year, I'll be here," Murphy said.It should be no surprise that Murphy is one tough competitor, as the Englishman was once shot twice in the face, spat the bullets out, then drove himself to a hospital, <a href="https://twitter.com/JoseYoungs/status/1283568706304368640" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to MMA Fighting</a>.With this most recent win, Murphy advances his pro MMA record to nine wins (six knockouts and three decisions) against one draw, unbeaten.Murphy's victory followed four other matches.Modestas Bukauskas beat Andreas Michailidis by first round technical knockout, Jared Gordon out-pointed Chris Fishgold, and Liana Jojua submitted Diana Belbita with a first round armbar.To open the entire fight card Wednesday, which was the UFC's second of four events on "Fight Island" in July, <a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jack Shore — a hot European prospect — continued his flawless run</a> with a technically adept finish.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC star-in-the-making continued his flawless run with a technically adept finish on 'Fight Island'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-boss-dana-white-signed-mounir-lazzez-due-to-highlights-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An MMA fighter's friend showed Dana White his highlight-reel of knockouts, and the UFC boss was so impressed he signed him in an instant</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/abdul-alhassan-cried-during-rape-allegations-cleared-revenge-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 34-year-old UFC fighter cleared of sexual assault charges admitted he thought about 'revenge' against his accusers</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-fighters-unfazed-about-fighting-in-pandemic-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC stars say MMA's new normal is 'eerie,' but they're unfazed about fighting in the middle of a pandemic</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-mma-show-contains-horrifying-illegal-kneecap-knockout-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An MMA fighter knocked out his opponent with an 'illegal and vicious' flying knee to the skull when he was already down</a>

A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his 'Fight Island' opponent with nasty ground-and-pound

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lerone Murphy just added another thunderous knockout to his highlight-reel.</li><li>The British UFC fighter destroyed Makwan Amirkhani with a knee strike in the second round.</li></ul>ABU DHABI - British <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> fighter Lerone Murphy's star shines even brighter after his thunderous knockout via knee strike Saturday at the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC</a> 267 event Insider attended inside the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Competing against Makwan Amirkhani in a featherweight fight, Murphy had to come from behind to scoop the victory.Amirkhani, an Iran-born Finnish fighter, took the fight to the ground in the opening minute of the first round, and asserted his authority with a superior grappling skillset.Murphy managed to get to his feet, but was seemingly unable to shake Amirkhani's grip as they wrestled against the fence.Amirkhani landed five of six takedowns in total in the first, and won a 10-9 round on all three of the judges scorecards, according to information seen by Insider.Having been taken down so many times in the opener, and trailing on the cards, Murphy entered the second in no mood to fight on the mat.And so shortly after the second round began, when Amirkhani shot for another takedown, Murphy timed a knee strike and landed the shot on his opponent's skull.It was a screamer of a shot and put Amirkhani out cold unconscious for an uncomfortable amount of time.Watch it right here:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-ESPN MMA (@espnmma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1454474148005117960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2021</a></blockquote>As Murphy celebrated the victory, Amirkhani appeared motionless on the canvas.After receiving medical treatment, Amirkhani eventually sat up, and received a cheer from the crowd for the effort.Murphy then got on the microphone and implored the UFC boss Dana White to award him with a performance-related bonus check of $50,000.<div type="image" title="Lerone Murphy knocked Makwan Amirkhani out in style at UFC 267." height="1444" width="2000" msid="87406133" hostid="261"></div>Murphy joins numerous other British fighters who continue to make waves in the UFC, with Paddy Pimblett, Jack Shore, and Tom Aspinall all enjoying big wins throughout the year.Victory preserved his unbeaten streak and advanced his pro MMA record to 11 wins (seven knockouts and four decisions).

An unbeaten MMA fighter hit his UFC 267 opponent with a devastating knee, then asked Dana White for a bonus

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9197019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="calvin-kattar">Calvin Kattar</keyword> is banned from fighting for six months after losing in brutal fashion to <keyword id="3893073" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="max-holloway">Max Holloway</keyword> Saturday</li><li>Holloway landed a <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword>-record number of strikes on Kattar, and beat him so bad UFC boss Dana White forced Kattar to go to the hospital.</li><li>Medical suspensions are commonplace in combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword>, and are designed to give fighters time to recover properly.</li></ul><keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">FIGHT ISLAND</keyword> - Calvin Kattar has been given a six-month medical suspension from fighting after being on the receiving end of <a href="https://www.insider.com/masterful-max-holloway-produce-an-all-time-great-fighting-performance-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the most dominant UFC performances of all time</a> Saturday.Max Holloway threw a UFC record 746 strikes at Kattar during the 25-minute bout, landed a UFC record 447, and inflicted multiple injuries onto his opponent at the Etihad Arena <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on Fight Island</a> in Abu Dhabi.The UFC boss <a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-taken-to-hospital-after-losing-to-max-holloway-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dana White even ordered Kattar to go to a hospital</a> where he got his head stapled, received treatment for a broken nose, and had other bruising assessed.Earlier this week, the medical suspensions from the entire event were published.Medical suspensions are commonplace in combat sports so the winning and losing fighters get enough time off from competitive sport, as well as contact sparring, to ensure they recover physically and mentally.Kattar has been suspended for 180 days, but this is a ban that could be reduced should he obtain medical clearance for his nose injury, <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/1/18/22237197/ufc-fight-island-7-medical-suspensions-calvin-kattar-potentially-lengthy-layoff-loss-to-max-holloway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA Fighting reported</a>.He is banned from contact training for at least 45 days, the sports website said.<a href="https://twitter.com/CalvinKattar/status/1351379749671743492" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kattar made a Twitter statement Tuesday, saying</a>: "Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up.""With goals so strong that obstacles, failures, and loss only act as motivation."He added: "Props to Max on a hell of a fight he deserves all the praise. Thankful for my team's commitment for this fight. On to the next. There is no stopping the man who doesn't quit."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Calvin Kattar (@CalvinKattar) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1351379749671743492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote>Holloway, who won comfortably, was also given a 30 day suspension and has been banned from taking part in contact training for 21 days, according to MMA Fighting.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-conor-mcgregor-take-yacht-and-rolls-royce-to-ufc-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor proved he's the UFC's version of Tiger Woods by chartering a yacht to Fight Island</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/fast-rising-ufc-star-lerone-murphy-survived-drive-by-shooting-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The unbelievable journey of Lerone Murphy, a fast-rising UFC star who once survived gunshots to the face and neck</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/mason-jones-vows-to-shake-off-conor-mcgregor-comparisons-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An unbeaten 25-year-old makes his UFC debut Wednesday after a rise to fame that mirrors Conor McGregor's</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/alessio-di-chirico-cash-bonus-for-ko-but-shunned-interviews-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC fighter got a $50,000 bonus for a shock KO victory, but shunned media interviews and gave Dana White a moody look backstage</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/masterful-max-holloway-produce-an-all-time-great-fighting-performance-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Masterful Max Holloway just produced an all-time great fighting performance days after saying he'd rematch Conor McGregor</a>

Calvin Kattar hit with a 6-month medical suspension from fighting after suffering one of the most brutal beatings in UFC history

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="3893073" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="max-holloway">Max Holloway</keyword> could become the best fighter to ever compete in MMA, <keyword id="6164007" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Khabib-Nurmagomedov">Khabib Nurmagomedov</keyword> believes.</li><li>Holloway recently dominated Calvin Kattar on <keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>, and is only going to get better.</li><li>"I think … in future, [he will] become maybe the best fighter of all time," Nurmagomedov said.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND - Max Holloway could become the best MMA fighter who's ever lived.That's according to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who marveled at the volume striker's punch-perfect performance Saturday, in which <a href="https://www.insider.com/masterful-max-holloway-produce-an-all-time-great-fighting-performance-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he destroyed Calvin Kattar</a> at the Etihad Arena <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on Fight Island,</a> Abu Dhabi.Holloway's performance was so dominant <a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-taken-to-hospital-after-losing-to-max-holloway-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it forced the UFC boss Dana White to order Kattar to the hospital</a> where he received staples in his head, as well as treatment for a broken nose and bruising.Kattar has since been <a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-given-6-month-suspension-after-dominant-ufc-loss-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slapped with a six-month medical suspension from fighting</a> unless he receives clearance from a doctor that his injuries have recovered sufficiently.What may perhaps be concerning to Holloway's featherweight rivals in the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> is that, as Holloway is only 29, he might not yet be at the peak of his powers, Nurmagomedov said."He's already one of the best who ever competed in MMA. One of the best," Nurmagomedov told Dan Hardy's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXusG7rdok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube channel Full Reptile</a>.Holloway has been fighting in the UFC since 2012 and, after dropping a decision to Conor McGregor the following year, he's gone on to score wins over Charles Oliveira, Jose Aldo (twice), and Brian Ortega.For Nurmagomedov, the weekend win was "his best performance."The Russian wrestler added: "When we look at Max, he's not old, his prime time is coming. I really like Max. End of the year, next year [his time will come]."He has the potential to be a more great fighter than he was. He has good cardio, chin. Now he's experienced. I think … in future, [he will] become maybe the best fighter of all time."Nurmagomedov, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has an ambiguous status as an active fighter.He <a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-sent-gaethje-to-sleep-cried-retired-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abruptly retired after submitting Justin Gaethje last year,</a> saying he could not continue to compete after the death of his father Abdulmanap, but reportedly told White he'd return if a lightweight rival like Conor McGregor did "something spectacular" this weekend.Nurmagomedov is on Fight Island to support his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov, an unbeaten fighter who makes his UFC debut Wednesday against Sergey Morozov.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-given-6-month-suspension-after-dominant-ufc-loss-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvin Kattar given a 6-month medical suspension from fighting after suffering one of the most dominant UFC losses of all time</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-conor-mcgregor-take-yacht-and-rolls-royce-to-ufc-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor proved he's the UFC's version of Tiger Woods by chartering a yacht to Fight Island</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/fast-rising-ufc-star-lerone-murphy-survived-drive-by-shooting-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The unbelievable journey of Lerone Murphy, a fast-rising UFC star who once survived gunshots to the face and neck</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/mason-jones-vows-to-shake-off-conor-mcgregor-comparisons-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An unbeaten 25-year-old makes his UFC debut Wednesday after a rise to fame that mirrors Conor McGregor's</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/alessio-di-chirico-cash-bonus-for-ko-but-shunned-interviews-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC fighter got a $50,000 bonus for a shock KO victory, but shunned media interviews and gave Dana White a moody look backstage</a>

Max Holloway could become the best MMA fighter who has ever lived, Khabib Nurmagomedov says

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10627223" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="umar-nurmagomedov">Umar Nurmagomedov</keyword> fought in the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> for the first time Wednesday, winning in the second round.</li><li>Nurmagomedov choked his opponent Sergey Morozov unconscious with a rear-naked choke.</li><li>The finish was exactly nine years to the day since his cousin <keyword id="6164007" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Khabib-Nurmagomedov">Khabib Nurmagomedov</keyword> scored a submission win with the same move, and Khabib said he couldn't have done it better himself.</li><li>Watch the victory below.</li></ul><keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">FIGHT ISLAND</keyword> - Umar Nurmagomedov followed in his family's footsteps by creating a UFC debut to remember Wednesday at the Etihad Arena on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.Nurmagomedov scored a second-round rear-naked choke (RNC) submission against Sergey Morozov, nine years to the day after his cousin Khabib beat Kamal Shalorus in his own UFC debut with the very same move in 2012.Morozov has great experience in mixed martial arts as an M-1 global champion and a Master of <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">Sports</keyword> in pankration, but Nurmagomedov made a statement by dominating him from the opening round with his persistent grappling.He varied his attack with kicks to both the head and the body, landing 15 of 25 strikes (52% accuracy) in the first and 17 of 23 (70%) in the second.But Nurmagomedov was always looking for the takedown opportunity, attempting 11 in total - some of which Morozov stuffed.The beginning of the end came when, after his final takedown, Nurmagomedov took Morozov's back, hit him with short-range punching, and found the opening for the rear-naked choke.Before long, Morozov was unconscious.Watch it here:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1351902088381554689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2021</a></blockquote>Praising Umar in the middle of the Octagon after the win was announced, Khabib said his cousin "did it in the second round [whereas] I did it in the third round."The UFC commentator Dan Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, said: "Congratulations, Umar - you did it better than Khabib!"Nurmagomedov was flanked by Khabib as he exited the arena.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—️ Alan Dawson is back on Fight Island (@AlanDawsonSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1351903031022022664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2021</a></blockquote>"I'm very happy," the younger Nurmagomedov said, after advancing his unbeaten pro MMA record to 13 wins (one knockout, six submissions, and six decisions)."All my hard work has paid off. I have a lot of work ahead. I have to keep working."He continued: "At the beginning of the fight, I didn't know where I was. It was a bit hard to find my way. In the second round, I was more relaxed and I found my way."This is not my best performance. In the future, I'm going to show everything I have. I have much more than what I showed tonight."Finishing, Nurmagomedov said: "I'm going to go home and enjoy time with my family and my daughter."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/calvin-kattar-given-6-month-suspension-after-dominant-ufc-loss-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvin Kattar given a 6-month medical suspension from fighting after suffering one of the most dominant UFC losses of all time</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/khabib-nurmagomedov-max-holloway-could-be-best-ever-mma-fighter-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Max Holloway could become the best MMA fighter who's ever lived, Khabib Nurmagomedov says</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-conor-mcgregor-take-yacht-and-rolls-royce-to-ufc-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor proved he's the UFC's version of Tiger Woods by chartering a yacht to Fight Island</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/fast-rising-ufc-star-lerone-murphy-survived-drive-by-shooting-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The unbelievable journey of Lerone Murphy, a fast-rising UFC star who once survived gunshots to the face and neck</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/mason-jones-vows-to-shake-off-conor-mcgregor-comparisons-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An unbeaten 25-year-old makes his UFC debut Wednesday after a rise to fame that mirrors Conor McGregor's</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/alessio-di-chirico-cash-bonus-for-ko-but-shunned-interviews-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC fighter got a $50,000 bonus for a shock KO victory, but shunned media interviews and gave Dana White a moody look backstage</a>

Following in his cousin Khabib's footsteps, Umar Nurmagomedov made a UFC debut to remember by scoring a second-round submission

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9592808" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="felix-verdejo">Felix Verdejo</keyword> scored a higlight-reel knockout in the very first round of his lightweight match Thursday.</li><li>Puerto Rican Verdejo was fighting a previously undefeated boxer called Will Madera.</li><li>Madera lost with one second remaining on the round clock — a buzzer-beating finish for Verdejo.</li><li>Watch the knockout right here.</li></ul>Felix Verdejo knocked his opponent down and into the corner with a blistering right hook, left uppercut combination in the opening round of their lightweight fight Thursday.Verdejo scored the buzzer-beating finish inside the MGM Grand Conference Center during a <keyword id="2349386" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="top-rank">Top Rank</keyword> show with the Las Vegas-based fight firm has termed "The Bubble."The American boxer Will Madera, 29, had never lost before let alone been knocked out, but it took only two minutes and 59 seconds for Verdejo, of Puerto Rico, to hand Madera his first defeat.Madera only landed 12 punches in the whole fight (25.5% of his total punch output), according to Compubox data sent to Insider.Verdejo, in contrast, swarmed his opponent with seemingly unrelenting flurries, landing twice as many shots (24 out of 59 attempted), many of which were deemed power punches.Watch the finish below:<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Top Rank <keyword id="6362171" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Boxing">Boxing</keyword> (@trboxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283954858748338177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2020</a></blockquote><div type="image" title="Felix Verdejo and Will Madera knockout video" height="1467" width="2000" msid="77016993" hostid="261"></div>"I am proud of the work I put in with my trainer, Ismael Salas … the hard work is paying off," Verdejo said."Madera is a good fighter, but when I had him hurt. I knew I could finish him."Verdejo advanced his record to 27 wins (17 knockouts) against one knockout loss, is now unbeaten in four fights, and gradually climbing the lightweight ladder.The fighter wants to target the top of that ladder, particularly Vasyl Lomachenko. The pair fought in the amateur ranks during the 2012 Olympics with Lomachenko winning on his way to a gold medal. "As for what's next, Vasiliy Lomachenko is the top guy at lightweight," said Verdejo. "We have unfinished business from when he beat me in the Olympics. That's the fight I ultimately want."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/photo-calvin-kattar-cut-dan-iges-face-open-with-boxing-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvin Kattar landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face, leaving his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/mounir-lazzez-wins-violently-in-very-good-ufc-striking-match-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mounir Lazzez beat Abdul Alhassan in one of the most violent, fun, very good 'Fight Island' matches you'll see all summer</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-lerone-murphy-dominates-then-finishes-with-ground-and-pound-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his 'Fight Island' opponent with nasty ground-and-pound</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC star-in-the-making continued his flawless run with a technically adept finish on 'Fight Island'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-fighters-unfazed-about-fighting-in-pandemic-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC stars say MMA's new normal is 'eerie,' but they're unfazed about fighting in the middle of a pandemic</a>

Felix Verdejo knocked his opponent down and into the corner with a blistering right hook, left uppercut combination

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A 25-year-old British fighter called Jack Shore is welcoming comparisons to the former two-weight <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> champion Georges St. Pierre.</li><li>Shore fought in the second of the UFC's four "<keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>" events on Yas Island, Wednesday, submitting his opponent Aaron Phillips in the second round with a rear-naked choke.</li><li>During the ESPN broadcast, the commentator and former champion Michael Bisping made the comparison to St. Pierre.</li><li>Shore was asked for his reaction. "That was my hero growing up as a kid," he said. "It's a compliment I'll definitely take."</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — An up-and-coming fighter is being compared to the former 2-weight UFC champ Georges St. Pierre because of how good he could be in the cage.Jack Shore was one of the 22 athletes competing in the second of the UFC's four <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Fight Island" events</a> inside a quarantined area on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, which is being used by the UFC to host a series of international events during the pandemic.In the first bout on the preliminary card of Wednesday's "Fight Night" show, Shore showed off his technically brilliant jiu jitsu game <a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">by submitting Aaron Phillips with a rear-naked choke in the second round</a>, after dominating him in the first.The commentator Michael Bisping — a former middleweight champion who lost the belt to St. Pierre in 2017 — made the comparison on commentary.Shore was then asked about his reaction after he had extended his unbeaten run to 13 wins (four knockouts, eight submissions, and one decision), having also left the amateur circuit undefeated, too."It's an honor, Bisping is a Hall of Famer and a legend, just to have him call my fights is an honor, but to mention me with the likes of 'GSP' — that was my hero growing up as a kid, so it's taking me back a little bit, but it's a compliment I'll definitely take," Shore said after his win."I want to keep getting better between fights," he said. "I want to bring a better version of myself to every single fight, I don't want to be that guy who is fighting every month."Give me a month or two now to improve my skill set and it'd be great to come back to the Octagon. October or November time, perfect."Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/photo-calvin-kattar-cut-dan-iges-face-open-with-boxing-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvin Kattar landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face, leaving his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/mounir-lazzez-wins-violently-in-very-good-ufc-striking-match-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mounir Lazzez beat Abdul Alhassan in one of the most violent, fun, very good 'Fight Island' matches you'll see all summer</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-lerone-murphy-dominates-then-finishes-with-ground-and-pound-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his 'Fight Island' opponent with nasty ground-and-pound</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC star-in-the-making continued his flawless run with a technically adept finish on 'Fight Island'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-fighters-unfazed-about-fighting-in-pandemic-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC stars say MMA's new normal is 'eerie,' but they're unfazed about fighting in the middle of a pandemic</a>

An up-and-coming British fighter is drawing comparison with former 2-weight UFC champion Georges St. Pierre

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Calvin Katter and <keyword id="9581216" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dan-ige">Dan Ige</keyword> went to war Thursday at the Flash Forum on "<keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>," Abu Dhabi.</li><li>Though Katter appeared to badly hurt his nose, it was the American stand-up fighter who did the far greater damage, causing countless cuts, many bruises, and his eye to swell shut.</li><li>Watch some of the highlights from the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> featherweight fight below.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — <keyword id="9197019" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="calvin-kattar">Calvin Kattar</keyword> landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face, leaving his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises.Though there was little to separate Kattar from Ige on total strike statistics alone, judging from the state each fighter left the Octagon in, it was clear that the winner's blows were more brutal.The featherweight fighters headlined the second of the UFC's four <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Fight Island" events</a> in a quarantined area on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.The UFC analyst Jon Anik told Insider this week that the bout demonstrated "bullet-proof matchmaking" on UFC's part, with the commentator expecting a potential Fight of the Year candidate should it last five rounds.Indeed it went the distance, with Kattar earning a 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 decision win.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283621843153420290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>The fight was largely fought on the feet, with sporadic and unsuccessful takedown attempts peppered between constant punching, kicking, and elbowing.There were 483 combined strikes in this fight, with both fighters applying regular pressure throughout the bout.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283623344651341825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>They both closed the show in style.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283627942904573954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>But there could only be one winner — Katter.Though it appeared he may have badly hurt his nose early in the fight, Katter did considerable damage to Ige's face:<div type="image" title="Dan Ige" height="413" width="825" msid="76993972" hostid="261"></div>"He had a good right hand, clipped my nose with one of them," said Katter post-fight."In a 25 minute fight, you're going to get hit with some s---. I felt like I hit him with a lot more and if there were a couple more rounds, maybe I get the finish, but with that kid you're gonna have to fight to the death."He's a tough kid, six fight win streak, you don't get that by luck."The American advances his record to 22 wins (11 knockouts, two submissions, and nine decisions) against four losses, will likely rise up the featherweight rankings, and could be matched with a top contender like Max Holloway or even the champion Alexander Volkanovski in the future.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/mounir-lazzez-wins-violently-in-very-good-ufc-striking-match-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mounir Lazzez beat Abdul Alhassan in one of the most violent, fun, very good 'Fight Island' matches you'll see all summer</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-lerone-murphy-dominates-then-finishes-with-ground-and-pound-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his 'Fight Island' opponent with nasty ground-and-pound</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC star-in-the-making continued his flawless run with a technically adept finish on 'Fight Island'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-fighters-unfazed-about-fighting-in-pandemic-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC stars say MMA's new normal is 'eerie,' but they're unfazed about fighting in the middle of a pandemic</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-mma-show-contains-horrifying-illegal-kneecap-knockout-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An MMA fighter knocked out his opponent with an 'illegal and vicious' flying knee to the skull when he was already down</a>

Calvin Kattar landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face, leaving his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9573839" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mounir-lazzez">Mounir Lazzez</keyword> defeated <keyword id="9573838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="abdul-razak-alhassan">Abdul Razak Alhassan</keyword> in one of the most violent, but fun, striking matches you'll see at "<keyword id="9060271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fight-island">Fight Island</keyword>" this summer.</li><li>The two athletes were always renowned for their knockout prowess, but on Wednesday they went the three-round decision in an all-action slobberknocker.</li><li>Lazzez made his <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword> debut after <a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-boss-dana-white-signed-mounir-lazzez-due-to-highlights-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a friend sent Dana White film footage of the fighter, and White was so impressed he signed him</a> in an instant.</li><li>Now, with one UFC win on his record, he'll likely be back for more.</li></ul>FIGHT ISLAND — Mounir Lazzez beat Abdul Razak Alhassan in one of the most violent, fun, very good UFC matches you'll see all summer.UFC matchmakers knew what they were doing when they paired the two athletes together for Thursday's 'UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige' card, the second of four <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Fight Island" events</a> within the quarantined area of Yas Island on Abu Dhabi.Lazzez, who made his debut at the midweek event inside the Flash Forum, had a record of nine wins (eight knockouts) against one loss, while Alhassan had a record of 10 wins (10 knockouts) against one loss.Both fighters are renowned for their striking and their punching power, and Wednesday they came to blows in what became a gripping, all-action, slobberknocker.The bout began with Alhassan throwing a flurry of punches at Lazzez's guarded head, but because Alhassan was adamant about knocking his block off, there were a number of shots which still landed with aplomb.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283585763238711296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>Lazzez, though, showed good punch resistance as he absorbed the strikes, before unleashing his own kind of fury — a fury which included slicing elbow strikes through the middle, kicks to the thigh which sounded like a whip echoing through the small arena, and powerful kicks to the head.Lesser men would have fallen in an instant, but not Alhassan. He too, like Lazzez, is made of stronger stuff and did not buckle under pressure. And so a good, old, fashioned donnybrook broke out in front of the dozens of enthralled people watching Octagonside at 6.20 a.m., with the Abu Dhabi sun having risen long ago.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283587619969028096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>While there was little to separate the fighters in round one, with both athletes combining to throw 168 strikes, Lazzez asserted himself more dominantly in the second, a round in which he outlanded Alhassan by a greater ratio than 2:1, while nailing both of his takedowns, too.In round three, Lazzez had the edge in strikes thrown and landed, and had done more than enough to earn a comfortable decision on the judges' scorecards with two verdicts of 30-27 and one of 29-28.A new star, perhaps, was born.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283591631082590208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>After Lazzez's victory, he strutted past press row and grabbed a bottle of water which was on Insider's desk.We did not try to get it back.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Alan Dawson (@AlanDawsonSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1283590484116623360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>"I love to be the underdog and to show my skill and that's exactly what happened tonight," Lazzez said. "I came in as the underdog and I enjoy the victory."When he put me in the first round against the cage, I said, "What, this is all that you got?" I still have a lot of weapons and just step-by-step I killed his will with the kicks, moving around, high kick, low kick, I showed my wrestling, my takedown defense."I kept visualization this over and over as just another fight, don't put pressure on yourself and just go enjoy what you do."I love this craft, I loved when I get clipped and I see the will inside the eye of my opponent, that mental game, I love that, I love that deep water stuff."My mental game, I've said it before, maybe you can be more technical and maybe you can be more powerful, but my will and my mental game, you can't beat it."With the win, Lazzez advances his record to 10 wins (nine knockouts) against one loss.Elsewhere on the main card, Taila Santos out-pointed Molly McCann with three scores of 30-27 in a women's flyweight bout.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/video-lerone-murphy-dominates-then-finishes-with-ground-and-pound-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his 'Fight Island' opponent with nasty ground-and-pound</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jack-shore-ufc-star-in-the-making-wins-submission-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A UFC star-in-the-making continued his flawless run with a technically adept finish on 'Fight Island'</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/abdul-alhassan-cried-during-rape-allegations-cleared-revenge-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 34-year-old UFC fighter cleared of sexual assault charges admitted he thought about 'revenge' against his accusers</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/ufc-fighters-unfazed-about-fighting-in-pandemic-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC stars say MMA's new normal is 'eerie,' but they're unfazed about fighting in the middle of a pandemic</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-mma-show-contains-horrifying-illegal-kneecap-knockout-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An MMA fighter knocked out his opponent with an 'illegal and vicious' flying knee to the skull when he was already down</a>

You Searched For "lerone murphy" and got 11 results

One photo shows how stunned commentators were when a UFC fighter landed a nasty knee strike knockout Saturday

Alan Dawson

The unbelievable journey of Lerone Murphy, a fast-rising UFC star who once survived gunshots to the face and neck

Alan Dawson

A 28-year-old featherweight called Lerone Murphy finished his 'Fight Island' opponent with nasty ground-and-pound

Alan Dawson

An unbeaten MMA fighter hit his UFC 267 opponent with a devastating knee, then asked Dana White for a bonus

Alan Dawson

Calvin Kattar hit with a 6-month medical suspension from fighting after suffering one of the most brutal beatings in UFC history

Alan Dawson

Max Holloway could become the best MMA fighter who has ever lived, Khabib Nurmagomedov says

Alan Dawson

Following in his cousin Khabib's footsteps, Umar Nurmagomedov made a UFC debut to remember by scoring a second-round submission

Alan Dawson

Felix Verdejo knocked his opponent down and into the corner with a blistering right hook, left uppercut combination

Alan Dawson

An up-and-coming British fighter is drawing comparison with former 2-weight UFC champion Georges St. Pierre

Alan Dawson

Calvin Kattar landed 70 strikes on Dan Ige's face, leaving his opponent with a swollen eye, countless cuts, and many bruises

Alan Dawson

Mounir Lazzez beat Abdul Alhassan in one of the most violent, fun, very good 'Fight Island' matches you'll see all summer

Alan Dawson