Lauren Murphy

Summary

Lauren Marie Murphy[1] (born July 27, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the Women's Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Murphy formerly competed for Invicta FC where she is a former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion.

Lauren Murphy
BornLauren Marie Smith[1]
(1983-07-27) July 27, 1983 (age 40)
Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Other namesLucky
ResidencePeoria, Arizona, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[2]
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Bantamweight (2013–2016)
Flyweight (2017–present)
Reach67 in (170 cm)[3]
Fighting out ofGlendale, Arizona, U.S.
TeamThe MMA Lab (2014–2019)[4][5]
Main Street Boxing and Muay Thai (2019–present)[6]
Grindhouse MMA (2019–present)[5]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[7] under John Crouch[citation needed]
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins16
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision7
Losses6
By knockout1
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Murphy grew up in a small town in Alaska.[8] Her father was killed in a plane crash when she was 11, causing issues that led to drinking, using drugs and dropping out of high school.[8] Murphy said about starting martial arts: "I took my son to a Jiu Jitsu class in late 2009, and I took the class with him to encourage him. I fell in love with it and started going all the time. I began training MMA about 3 months later, and took my first pro fight 3 months after that. I did not have any amateur fights."[9] She attended nursing school but dropped out to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.[10]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Murphy began her pro mixed martial arts career in Alaska on June 9, 2010, fighting in the featherweight division (145 lbs). She won four straight fights and captured two featherweight titles; one for Alaska Fighting Championship and one for the now-defunct promotion Alaska Cage Fighting.[11][12]

After moving to Florida, Murphy stepped in on short notice to face Jennifer Scott in a bantamweight bout at Legacy Fighting Championship 18 on March 1, 2013. She defeated Scott by TKO in the first round.[13]

Invicta Fighting Championships edit

Murphy made her Invicta FC debut as a replacement opponent against Kaitlin Young at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson on April 5, 2013.[13] She defeated Young by unanimous decision.[14][15]

On July 13, 2013, Murphy faced Sarah D'Alelio at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg.[16] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[17][18]

Murphy faced Miriam Nakamoto for the inaugural Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship at Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith on December 7, 2013.[19][20] She won the fight to become the first bantamweight champion when Nakamoto suffered a knee injury in the fourth round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

On July 3, 2014, it was announced that Murphy had signed with the UFC. She made her debut against Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 47 on August 16, 2014.[21] McMann won the fight by split decision.[22]

Murphy faced Liz Carmouche on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63.[23] She lost the fight by unanimous decision. However, 10 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Murphy, whilst 3 scored it for Carmouche.[24]

Murphy faced Kelly Faszholz on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy. She won the fight via TKO due to punches and elbows in the final seconds of the third round. The win also earned Murphy her first Fight of the Night bonus award.[25]

Murphy face Katlyn Chookagian on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker.[26] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[27]

The Ultimate Fighter edit

In August 2017, it was announced that Murphy would be one of the fighters featured on The Ultimate Fighter 26, where the process to crown the UFC's inaugural 125-pound women's champion will take place.[28]

Murphy, representing team Alvarez, was seeded third and therefore was automatically set to fight fourteenth seed Nicco Montaño. She lost the fight via Unanimous Decision in two rounds, eliminating her from the competition.[29] Later, feeling discontent with her training on Team Alvarez (especially with Alvarez), she switched teams to Gaethje.[30]

UFC return edit

Murphy was scheduled to face Priscila Cachoeira on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. However, due to a visa issue, the fight was cancelled and Murphy was asked to be ready to fight as an alternate.[31] With Roxanne Modafferi elevated to the main event to fight Nicco Montaño after Sijara Eubanks was medically disqualified from the title fight, Murphy stepped in to face Barb Honchak.[32] Murphy won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[33]

Murphy faced Sijara Eubanks at UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes on June 1, 2018. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[34]

Murphy was scheduled to face Ashlee Evans-Smith on February 17, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 1.[35] However on December 19, 2018, Murphy announced and withdraw from the event as she would need more time off to recover from foot surgery.[36]

Murphy faced Mara Romero Borella on August 3, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 5.[37] She won the fight via TKO in the third round.[38]

Murphy faced Andrea Lee on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[39] She won the fight via controversial split decision.[40] 12 out of 12 MMA media outlets scored the contest for Lee with none scoring it for Murphy,[41] despite Murphy achieving a higher degree of accuracy and securing the only two takedowns in the fight.[42]

Murphy faced Roxanne Modafferi on June 20, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov.[43] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[44]

Murphy was expected to face Cynthia Calvillo on October 24, 2020 at UFC 254.[45] However, Calvillo was forced to withdraw the bout due to positive COVID-19 test and was replaced by an undisclosed fighter. In turn, the substitute also tested positive for COVID-19 and was replaced by promotional newcomer Liliya Shakirova.[46][47] Murphy won the fight via a submission in round two.[48]

As the first bout of her new contract, Murphy faced Joanne Calderwood on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263.[49] She won the fight via split decision.[50]

Murphy faced Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266.[51] She lost the fight via technical knockout in round four.[52]

Murphy was scheduled to face former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate May 14, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 36.[53] However, the bout was moved to UFC 276 for unknown reasons.[54] In turn, a week before that event, Murphy pulled out after she tested positive for COVID-19.[55] The bout was then rescheduled and eventually took place on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3.[56] Murphy won the fight via unanimous decision.[57]

Murphy faced former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade on January 21, 2023, at UFC 283.[58] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[59]

Professional grappling career edit

Murphy defended her 135lbs no gi title at Submission Hunter Pro 84 on July 22, 2023, winning the match by submission with an arm-triangle choke.[60]

Personal life edit

Murphy has a son from a previous relationship.[10]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts edit

Brazilian jiu-jitsu edit

  • 2014 IBJJF Blue Belt Middle Weight No Gi World Championship Gold Medalist

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
22 matches 16 wins 6 losses
By knockout 8 1
By submission 1 0
By decision 7 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–6 Jéssica Andrade Decision (unanimous) UFC 283 January 21, 2023 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 16–5 Miesha Tate Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez July 16, 2022 3 5:00 Elmont, New York, United States
Loss 15–5 Valentina Shevchenko TKO (elbows and punches) UFC 266 September 25, 2021 4 4:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship.
Win 15–4 Joanne Calderwood Decision (split) UFC 263 June 12, 2021 3 5:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win 14–4 Liliya Shakirova Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 254 October 24, 2020 2 3:31 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 13–4 Roxanne Modafferi Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov June 20, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–4 Andrea Lee Decision (split) UFC 247 February 8, 2020 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 11–4 Mara Romero Borella TKO (knee and elbows) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler August 3, 2019 3 1:46 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss 10–4 Sijara Eubanks Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes June 1, 2018 3 5:00 Utica, New York, United States
Win 10–3 Barb Honchak Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale December 1, 2017 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Flyweight debut.
Loss 9–3 Katlyn Chookagian Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker July 13, 2016 3 5:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win 9–2 Kelly Faszholz TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy February 21, 2016 3 4:55 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 8–2 Liz Carmouche Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas April 4, 2015 3 5:00 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Loss 8–1 Sara McMann Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux August 16, 2014 3 5:00 Bangor, Maine, United States
Win 8–0 Miriam Nakamoto TKO (knee injury) Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith December 7, 2013 4 0:23 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Won the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 7–0 Sarah D'Alelio Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg July 13, 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 6–0 Kaitlin Young Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson April 5, 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 5–0 Jennifer Scott TKO (elbows) Legacy Fighting Championship 18 March 1, 2013 1 4:10 Houston, Texas, United States Bantamweight debut.
Win 4–0 Julia Griffin TKO (punches) Alaska Cage Fighting: Tribute to Veterans October 28, 2011 2 4:26 Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Won the ACF Women's Featherweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Willow Bailey TKO (retirement) Alaska Fighting Championship 79: Champions January 12, 2011 2 3:00 Anchorage, Alaska, United States Won the AFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Leslie Wright TKO (punches) Alaska Fighting Championship 76 October 13, 2010 2 2:25 Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Win 1–0 Kloiah Wayland TKO (punches) Alaska Fighting Championship: Mat Su Showdown 2 June 9, 2010 1 0:17 Wasilla, Alaska, United States

[61]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record edit

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Nicco Montaño Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion September 20, 2017 (airdate) 2 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 26 Elimination round.

[62]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: June 6, 2020
  2. ^ "Lauren Murphy - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  3. ^ "Lauren Murphy ("Lucky") - MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. September 14, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Hunter Homistek (December 13, 2017). "Lauren Murphy Opens Up On 'Shi*ty' The Ultimate Fighter Experience". flocombat.com.
  5. ^ a b Danny Segura (February 5, 2020). "Lauren Murphy unsure if a win over Andrea Lee at UFC 247 gets her flyweight title shot". mmajunkie.com.
  6. ^ Kelsey McCarson (February 5, 2020). "How Life Led Lauren Murphy into Becoming a UFC Fighter". Heavy.com.
  7. ^ @laurenmurphymma (November 2, 2020). "!!𝘼𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝙃𝙊𝙐𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙉!! (...)". Retrieved November 21, 2020 – via Instagram.
  8. ^ a b MMA Stories (March 17, 2021). LAUREN MURPHY "TILL THE WHEELS COME OFF" – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "Fighting Words: Lauren Taylor". InvictaFC.com. April 3, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Nick Khoury (April 1, 2021). "UFC Flyweight Lauren Murphy" (Podcast).
  11. ^ "AFC 79: FINAL WORD". ADN.com. January 15, 2011. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  12. ^ "Lauren Taylor Victorious in Fairbanks; ACF Results". ADN.com. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Nunes Injured, Lauren Taylor Faces Kaitlin Young At Invicta FC 5". MMARising.com. March 18, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  14. ^ "'Cyborg' Savages Muxlow, 'Karate Hottie' Crowned Via Dramatic Submission at Invicta FC 5". Sherdog.com. April 5, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  15. ^ "Invicta FC 5 Results: Michelle Waterson, Barb Honchak Win Titles". MMARising.com. April 6, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  16. ^ "D'Alelio vs Taylor, Calderwood vs Gadelha Booked For Invicta FC 6". MMARising.com. April 19, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  17. ^ "Invicta FC 6 Results: Cris Cyborg Wins Featherweight Title". MMARising.com. July 13, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  18. ^ "Invicta FC 6 results: Cris 'Cyborg' claims featherweight belt with TKO win". MMAjunkie.com. July 13, 2013. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  19. ^ "INVICTA FC 7 COMING TO KANSAS CITY ON DECEMBER 7TH". InvictaFC.com. October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  20. ^ "Lauren Murphy vs Miriam Nakamoto Title Fight Set For Invicta FC 7". MMARising.com. October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  21. ^ "Sara McMann meets Invicta FC champion Lauren Murphy at UFC Fight Night 47". mmafighting.com. July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  22. ^ Robert Sargent (August 16, 2014). "Sara McMann Edges Out Lauren Murphy At UFC Fight Night 47". mmarising.com. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  23. ^ "LAUREN MURPHY, LIZ CARMOUCHE ADDED TO APRIL 4 UFC FIGHT NIGHT IN VIRGINIA". sherdog.com. January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  24. ^ MMADecisions (April 4, 2015). "Liz Carmouche defeats Lauren Murphy". mmadecisions.com.
  25. ^ Tristen Critchfield (February 22, 2016). "UFC Fight Night Pittsburgh Bonuses: Cerrone, Camozzi, Murphy, Faszholz earn $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  26. ^ "Lauren Murphy vs. Katlyn Chookagian added to UFC Fight Night 91 in Sioux Falls". MMAjunkie. July 2, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  27. ^ "UFC Fight Night 91 results: Katlyn Chookagian outworks Lauren Murphy for decision win". MMAjunkie. July 14, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  28. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (August 6, 2017). "'The Ultimate Fighter 26' cast revealed: Who's vying to become 1st UFC women's flyweight champ?". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  29. ^ Alexander K. Lee (September 20, 2017). "TUF 26 Episode 4 Results". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  30. ^ Marrocco, Steven (May 5, 2020). "Lauren Murphy: Eddie Alvarez was 'really degrading' to women on TUF 26". mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  31. ^ "Lauren Murphy not fighting at TUF 26 Finale due to opponent's VISA issues". MMA Fighting. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  32. ^ "Roxanne Modafferi replaces Sijara Eubanks in TUF 26 Finale's inaugural title fight". MMAjunkie. November 30, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  33. ^ "TUF 26 Finale results: Lauren Murphy edges Barb Honchak in three-round thriller". MMAjunkie. December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  34. ^ "UFC Fight Night 131 results: Sijara Eubanks gets first UFC win, tops Lauren Murphy". MMAjunkie. June 2, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  35. ^ DNA, MMA. "Lauren Murphy treft Ashlee Evans-Smith tijdens UFC on ESPN 1 in Phoenix". Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  36. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (December 19, 2018). "Lauren Murphy withdraws from UFC on ESPN fight vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith to recover from surgery". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  37. ^ Staff (June 20, 2018). "Octagon returns to Newark on August 3". ufc.com. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  38. ^ Doherty, Dan (August 3, 2019). "UFC Newark Results: Lauren Murphy Finishes Mara Romero Borella With Beautiful Knee". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  39. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (November 13, 2019). "Andrea Lee vs. Lauren Murphy set for UFC event on Feb. 8 in Houston". MMA Fighting. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  40. ^ USA Today, MMA Junkie (February 9, 2020). "UFC 247 results: Lauren Murphy edges Andrea Lee in hard-fought war". MMA Junkie. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  41. ^ MMADecisions (February 8, 2020). "Lauren Murphy defeats Andrea Lee". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  42. ^ "Stats - UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  43. ^ DNA, MMA. "Modafferi vs. Murphy & Pennington vs. Reneau op 20 juni aanstaande". Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  44. ^ Josh Evanoff (June 21, 2020). "UFC on ESPN 11 Results: Lauren Murphy Outstrikes Roxanne Modafferi". Cageside Press. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  45. ^ DNA, MMA (August 15, 2020). "Cynthia Calvillo treft Lauren Murphy in onofficiële title-eliminator tijdens UFC 254". MMA DNA. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  46. ^ Heck, Mike (October 15, 2020). "With Cynthia Calvillo out, Lauren Murphy welcomes newcomer Liliya Shakirova at UFC 254". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  47. ^ Mike Heck (October 22, 2020). "What the Heck: Episode 30: Jon Anik, James Krause, Lauren Murphy & Casey Kenney" (Podcast).
  48. ^ Anderson, Jay (October 24, 2020). "UFC 254 Results: Lauren Murphy Submits Liliya Shakirova for Fourth Straight Victory". Cageside Press. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  49. ^ DNA, MMA (March 28, 2021). "Onofficiële #1 contender partij tussen Lauren Murphy en Joanne Calderwoord tijdens UFC 263". MMA DNA. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  50. ^ Anderson, Jay (June 12, 2021). "UFC 263 Results: Lauren Murphy Earns Fifth Straight Win Against Joanne Calderwood". Cageside Press. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  51. ^ Brett Okamoto (July 13, 2021). "Alexander Volkanovski, Valentina Shevchenko set to defend titles at UFC 266". espn.com. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  52. ^ Anderson, Jay (September 26, 2021). "UFC 266 Results: Valentina Shevchenko Stops Lauren Murphy". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  53. ^ "Miesha Tate vs. Lauren Murphy Booked For May | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  54. ^ "Miesha Tate flyweight debut vs. Lauren Murphy shifts to UFC 276". MMA Junkie. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  55. ^ Mike Heck (June 26, 2022). "Lauren Murphy vs. Miesha Tate scratched from UFC 276 lineup; Murphy reveals COVID-19 positive". mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  56. ^ Mike Heck (June 27, 2022). "Miesha Tate vs. Lauren Murphy shifts to UFC Long Island". mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  57. ^ Anderson, Jay (July 16, 2022). "UFC Long Island: Lauren Murphy Spoils Miesha Tate's Flyweight Debut, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  58. ^ Damon Martin and Mike Heck (October 18, 2022). "Jessica Andrade vs. Lauren Murphy on tap for UFC 283". mmafighting.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  59. ^ Jay Anderson (January 21, 2023). "UFC 283: Jessica Andrade batters Lauren Murphy for full three rounds". Cageside Press. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  60. ^ "Submission Hunter Pro 84 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  61. ^ Sherdog.com. "Lauren". Sherdog. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  62. ^ Sherdog.com. "Lauren". Sherdog. Retrieved November 22, 2019.

External links edit

  • Professional MMA record for Lauren Murphy from Sherdog
  • Lauren Murphy at UFC
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
New championship
1st Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion
December 7, 2013 – July 3, 2014
Succeeded by