UFC featherweight Lerone Murphy has revealed he was close to death after being struck down by car.
The Manchester Top Team mauler was knocked off his bike nearly two years ago and suffered a horrific head injury as a result.
Murphy, 31, was hospitalized and nearly "bled out" – so much so doctors thought he was going to lose 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 cleared to resume full training, but he insists he's back to 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."
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The undefeated Murphy thought his fighting days were over when he lay injured on the hospital bed.
He said: "I thought it was game over. I didn't think I'd be back here anyway.
"Especially so soon. The doctors were saying all sorts of stuff, like, 'Fighting is no good now.'"
Hearing that medical assessment was a dagger to the heart of Murphy.
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He said: "It was heartbreaking at the time, but I've got good people around me and good friends.
"And I just stayed on course."
Murphy is no stranger to surviving a brush with death having been shot twice in the face ten years ago.
His first brush with death earned him the nickname of The Miracle, which is quite fitting seeing as he's twice cheated the Grim Reaper.
When asked why he thinks he's twice survived two horrific ordeals, he said: "Purpose.
"I've got a purpose, I've got a bigger purpose in life. And that's what's pushing me on.
"I feel like I'm here to do something big, so I've got to go my part."
UFC 286 takes place at the O2 Arena and will be headlined by a mouthwatering welterweight title trilogy fight between champion Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.
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