The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Special: Daniel Cormier TV – Lerone Murphy on Knocking Out Aaron Pico, Championship Fight Next vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Date: August 16, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Guest: Lerone Murphy (UFC Featherweight, Undefeated Contender)
Host: Daniel Cormier (DC)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daniel Cormier interviews rising UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy ahead of his co-main event bout at UFC 319 against Aaron Pico. They discuss Murphy’s mindset heading into a pivotal fight that could earn him a shot at champion Alexander Volkanovski, his journey from Manchester’s streets to elite MMA, dealing with lack of recognition, and the psychology of high-stakes fighting. The tone is dynamic and playful, blending serious fight analysis with British banter and gamer rivalry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fight Analysis: Murphy vs. Pico

Timestamps: 02:13-05:17

• Cormier’s Playbook: DC breaks down the keys to the bout: “For Aaron Pico, he has gotta find ways to set traps and take Lerone Murphy down... if he doesn't... he is going to struggle because of Lerone's ability to create space and distance and control the tempo.” (02:27)
• Murphy’s strategy is to “frustrate Pico... force him into making bad decisions that ultimately cost him.”
• Both recognize the bout as a #1 contender fight: “It's a massive fight for both. They need to follow my role performance playbook to get the job done.” (03:12)

2. Manchester Banter & FIFA Rivalry

Timestamps: 03:16-05:04

• DC teases Lerone about dodging FIFA challenges:

  “You're the only man in Manchester that gets challenged to play FIFA and will not step up to it.” (03:50)

• Lerone claims he’s “retired” as champ; DC jokes about visiting Murphy in Manchester and trash-talking United.
• They agree to a future PlayStation match, promising off-cage competitiveness:

  “I would smash you. I'm thinking I beat you 3 to 1.” (04:38) – Daniel Cormier

3. Recognition, Opportunity, and UK Fighters’ Status

Timestamps: 05:20-06:28

• DC raises that Murphy’s achievements have been undervalued:

  “You're a winner, right?... Yet, it feels like you are not as valued as you should be. Can you feel that in MMA?” (05:20)

• Murphy says his shot at UFC 319 is “…a big opportunity, a big spot. UFC 319, lot of eyes on it... Aaron Pico comes to fight, is aggressive... It’s gonna be a barn burner.” (05:38)
• The two discuss Michael Bisping’s vocal support for UK fighters:

  “He knows, though, like the UK guys don’t get... as much recognition... He’s just backing his guys.” (06:07) – Murphy

4. Fight Prep, Path to Title, and Recognition

Timestamps: 06:28-09:15

• Murphy’s last win vs. Josh Emmett displayed his control and composure.
• Asked about the stakes, Murphy is clear:

  “The win is... he [Pico] was supposed to be the number one contender... So I’ve been shifted into that place now... With a win over Aaron Pico, I’m next in line.” (08:48)

• DC affirms Murphy’s title shot prospects:

  “You want a title? You should have a title shot for sure.” (09:03)

5. On Facing Alexander Volkanovski

Timestamps: 09:15-12:38

• Murphy admits he dreams of fighting Volkanovski:

  “For a long time since I’ve been in the UFC, I’ve thought of fighting Alex Volkanovski. He’s been the guy at the top for a while, in it.” (10:57)

• DC and Murphy joke about Manchester slang (“in it”), with Cormier amused by its versatility.

6. Addressing the Wrestling Threat

Timestamps: 12:00-13:12

• DC challenges Murphy on defending wrestling-heavy gameplans:

  “What have you done specifically to make sure Aaron Pico doesn’t try to use that wrestling and just ground you?” (12:02)

• Murphy says he’s continuously focused on anti-wrestling:

  “I’ve had back-to-back opponents who have got me ready for that... I feel like I’ve come on leaps and bounds…” (12:51)

7. Growing Up in Manchester & MMA Beginnings

Timestamps: 13:12-14:23

• Murphy’s late start:

  “I just walked into a gym and started training... After that first session, I just thought, this is what I love doing... I was 22.” (13:44)

• Before MMA: football (soccer), college, “got lost in the wilderness... chasing women and shit.”
• MMA provided purpose:

  “It was like a drug, innit?” (13:43) – Murphy

8. Dealing with Fear, Motivation & Visualization

Timestamps: 15:04-17:07

• On nerves and fear, Murphy is candid:

  “You never get used to it... Every fight seems to be bigger... more riding on it every time.” (15:25)

• Family reaction:
  • His mom won’t even watch his fights for fear.
  • His dad is a big fan and researches his opponents.
• Pride and motivation:

  “You always want to make your parents proud in it. That’s another motivation for me.” (17:01)

9. Fight Visualization & Needing the Finish

Timestamps: 17:40-18:43

• On visualizing the fight:

  “I try and visualize it as much as I can. I think visualization is the best thing for fighters. Just to calm everything down. Feel like you’ve been there before.” (17:52) – Murphy

• Cormier presses if Murphy feels pressure to get a finish:

  “Do you think you need a finish?” (18:17)

• Murphy: “It depends in it... For the casuals, they want to see the finishes... But that's not the end all and be all... If I go out there and put on a good performance... that'll do the job.” (18:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Daniel Cormier: “You're the only man in Manchester that gets challenged to play FIFA and will not step up to it.” (03:50)
• Lerone Murphy: “With a win over Aaron Pico, I’m next in line.” (08:48)
• On UK Recognition:
  • Murphy: “The UK guys don't get... as much recognition... unless you like Paddy Pimblett...” (06:07)
• On Mothers Watching Fights:
  • Murphy: “She loves it, but she'll never watch my fight... She can't even watch it back.” (16:05)
• On Purpose and MMA:
  • Murphy: “It was like a drug, innit?” (13:43)
• On Visualization:
  • Murphy: “I try and visualize it as much as I can… Just to calm everything down. Feel like you’ve been there before.” (17:52)

Segment Timestamps

• 02:13 – Cormier’s “Role Performance Playbook” breakdown
• 03:16 – FIFA rivalry and Manchester soccer banter
• 05:20 – Murphy’s undervalued status and fight opportunity
• 06:07 – Bisping’s UK MMA support
• 08:48 – Title implications of the Pico bout
• 10:57 – Anticipating fight with Volkanovski; “in it” slang
• 12:02 – Wrestling threats and fight prep
• 13:44 – Murphy’s late start in MMA and origins
• 15:25 – Handling fear and family’s reaction
• 17:52 – Visualization and pressure for knockout wins

Tone and Flow

The tone is conversational and sometimes playful, rooted in Cormier’s friendly teasing and Murphy’s dry humor. British slang (“in it”) emerges as an in-joke. Underneath the banter is a clear respect for Murphy’s fighting style, composure, and work ethic.

Summary Takeaway

Lerone Murphy enters UFC 319 aiming to solidify his claim as the next featherweight title challenger. Humble yet determined, Murphy is acutely aware of his under-the-radar status and draws on his Manchester upbringing for resilience. Despite pressures for highlight-reel finishes, he stays grounded in performance and self-belief, using visualization and his journey’s hardships as motivation. His duel with Aaron Pico is more than a fight—it’s a gateway to championship validation and a testament to the evolving landscape for UK MMA.

Endnote:
For more on Lerone Murphy and UFC 319, follow their social channels and catch the fight live!
(“I'm gonna kick his ass and I'm gonna put a video at the tail end of this video once I finish whipping his ass.” – Daniel Cormier, 19:02)