I almost died after being hit by a car in a horrific accident and was told not to fight but now I’m competing at UFC 286

UFC featherweight champion Lerone Murphy has revealed he was close to death after being hit by a car.

The Manchester Top Team Mauler was thrown off his bike almost two years ago and suffered a horrific head injury as a result.

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Murphy, 31, was taken to the hospital and almost “bled dry” – so much so that doctors thought he was losing his life.

He told SunSport during the UFC 286 media day, “It was bad, I was close to death.”

It took a while for Murphy to get clearance to resume full training, but he insists he’s back at his best ahead of his showdown with Gabriel Santos this weekend.

He said: “I’m back to full health now which is great and I feel just as good as I’ve always felt.”

The undefeated Murphy thought his fighting days were over as he lay injured on the hospital bed.

He said: “I thought it was game over. I didn’t think I would come back here anyway.

“Especially so early. The doctors said all kinds of things, like, ‘Fighting isn’t good now.’”

Hearing that medical evaluation was a stab in Murphy’s heart.

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He said: “It was heartbreaking at the time but I have good people around me and good friends.

“And I just stayed the course.”

Murphy is no stranger to surviving a clash with death after being shot twice in the face a decade ago.

His first confrontation with death earned him the nickname “The Miracle,” which is quite fitting given that he betrayed the Grim Reaper twice.

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When asked why he thinks he survived two horrible ordeals twice, he said: “Purpose.

“I have a purpose, I have a greater purpose in life. And that drives me.

“I feel like I’m here to do something big, so I have to do my part.”

Taking place at the O2 Arena, UFC 286 will be headlined by a delicious welterweight title trilogy match between champion Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.