Lerone Murphy says fighting is his “therapy” as he prepares to take on Dan Ige at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

The Manchester fighter is nicknamed ‘The Miracle’, having experienced two near-death moments in his life.

Murphy was shot in the face in 2013 and was in a collision with a car while riding his bike in 2022.

The 33-year-old is at the peak of his powers in his fighting career with an undefeated record, and he says each bout in his 15-fight career has been a “therapy appointment”.

“That’s what fighting is to me, you get to know yourself a lot more. I feel like all fighters have some sort of demons; it’s a weird thing,” Murphy told BBC Sport.

“It’s a constant test, the mixed emotions you get, the rollercoaster of emotions.

“I feel it makes you into a better man and I pretty much need fighting. It’s good for me.”

Murphy, who says he has not undergone any therapy outside the cage, is coming off the biggest win of his career against top contender Edson Barboza.

The bout in May was awarded ‘Fight of the Night’ and was the first time Murphy had headlined as a UFC fighter.

But Murphy is still building his reputation in the division, with the likes of British stars Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall gaining the most traction in the last year.

Murphy is one of the few UFC fighters from England left standing who is undefeated and says he knows his talents have “gone under the radar”.

“It’s just because I’m quiet. Nobody recognised Leon until he won the belt,” Murphy said.

“I think you don’t have to go out there and be a loudmouth, but you have to do more work in the cage if you’re not.

“But for me I’m just focused on what I’m doing really, If I win this fight I’m 15-0 [with one draw], you can’t deny me.”

The UFC 308 start time, fight card, and TV schedule for the Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday is below.

The fight card is broken into two different parts and airs on multiple mediums. This post helps explain which fights are airing where and at which times.

The event kicks off with an eight-fight preliminary card 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+ and YouTube, headlined by a welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Rafael dos Anjos.

Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Mateusz Rebecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Chris Barnett

Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva

Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Carlos Leal

Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira

The card then heads to ESPN+ pay-per-view at 2 p.m. ET. A featherweight contest between UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and former UFC champion Max Holloway will headline this portion of the card.

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

Benteke feels he is moving into a different phase of his career.

It is why, despite DC United’s relatively poor form, he has no regrets about extending his stay at the club having initially joined part-way through the 2022 season when Wayne Rooney was in charge.

Benteke does not crave attention the way he once did. Away from the field, he is quite happy to live a “normal” life. Relative anonymity in Washington is something he embraces.

“When you are younger you want people to stop you in the street,” he said. “You want to have your picture taken or to sign autographs because you feel you are ‘that guy’, who is playing for a Premier League team, the most popular league in the world. This is something you want.

“But when you get older, you know it is your job and it’s what you have to do, to score goals and win games.

“In the US you can train and as soon as your session is done, you can have a normal life, walking to the park, going to the mall, meet up without having to hide or feeling uncomfortable, just to be a normal guy.

“This year will be my second Christmas. To be around my family and your kids is something you appreciate. When you play at the highest level, for a Premier League team, sometimes you can have Christmas morning at home but then you have to go.”

Benteke still keeps across events in Europe and is delighted at how Villa have performed in this season’s Champions League.

“A huge club,” the striker calls them. “With Liverpool it is more expected but Villa was my first team in England. The love is different. They haven’t been in the Champions League for a while so to see them playing well at Villa Park on a Tuesday or Wednesday is something nice.”

Benteke, who has featured in two European Championships, has not played for Belgium since 2022. He was not selected for Euro 2024 and although the next World Cup is being played in his current home, it feels unlikely he will be involved then either.

He makes it clear the lack of involvement is not of his making.

“I am still playing in a very good league and I am still a professional so why should I retire from the national team?” he said.

“I am not obsessed about it and I am not putting any type of pressure or focus on it. But as long as I am playing, I will leave the door open. That is just common sense for me.

“It’s the day I retire from my club that will mean it is also the end for the national team.”

ERIK TEN HAG admits he is in denial about Manchester United’s 3-0 home hammering by Tottenham.

That late-September drubbing sent the Red Devils into meltdown and left Ten Hag on the brink of the sack.

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Old Trafford skipper Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half with United one goal down — but his red card was later rescinded.

Even though Spurs were running rings around United when they had 11, deluded boss Ten Hag says he ignores the result. The Dutchman said: “I deny that game.

“I ignore that game against Spurs because we were down to ten with a 1-0 losing position and then the red card was overturned.

“That is not a fair assessment because we didn’t have the chance to bounce back.

“Everyone agreed it was not the right decision, that it was an injustice and it is also an injustice to assess the team on that performance.”

Ten Hag’s side are unbeaten in four games since that Spurs defeat.

He added: “You see this team is resilient.

“Against Brentford but also in the two tough away games in Europe — Porto and Fenerbahce — this team has character and showed fighting spirit and determination to win.”

Man Utd ratings vs Fenerbahce: Onana saves the day for Red Devils as Lindelof has a stinker

MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce on a disappointing night in Turkey.

Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock for Erik ten Hag’s side in the first half before En-Nesyri levelled soon after the break.

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Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the second half after a touchline tantrum.

But the Red Devils could find a much-needed winner for Erik ten Hag.

SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rates the performances…

Andre Onana – 7

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Made an outstanding double save in the 37th minute to keep two attempts from Youssef En-Nesyri out.

His defenders could’ve done much better to prevent Fenerbahce’s goal.

Diogo Dalot – 5

Failed to track back at times and had his blushes saved in the first half by Ugarte, who made a crucial tackle on Dusan Tadic to prevent a goal.

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Matthijs de Ligt – 6

Made some good blocks during the first half to keep Fenerbahce at bay.

Missed a few chances from set-pieces after the break.

Victor Lindelof – 4

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Failed to follow En-Nesyri for Fenerbahce’s opening goal and made no attempt to win the ball.

Hauled off in the 54th minute.

Lisandro Martinez – 5

Like Lindelof, he did not apply any pressure to En-Nesyri for the hosts’ first goal. Poor communication from both.

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Christian Eriksen – 7

Broke the deadlock for United with a great strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.

Manuel Ugarte – 6

Won the ball in the build-up to the first goal and saved Man Utd from conceding with a fantastic last-ditch tackle in front of goal in the 22nd minute.

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Was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after the break.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6

Didn’t look too out of place starting in the No10 position. Played a role in the build-up to the goal, passing the ball to Zirkzee who got the assist.

Eventually moved into left-back, allowing Martinez to move central.

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Marcus Rashford – 5

Played out of preferred position and started on the right as opposed to the left.

Didn’t make too much of an impact on the game.

Alejandro Garnacho – 6

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Played a key role in the build-up to Erikson’s goal by making a direct run into the box.

Challenged Dominik Livakovic a few times and looked lively.

Joshua Zirkzee – 5

A poor overall performance from the striker despite providing the assist for Eriksen’s opener.

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Failed to make much of an impact and was hauled off in the 54th minute.

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Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to West Ham, Ten Hag bemoaned the injuries which have hampered his Old Trafford reign.

With Antony taken off on a stretcher at the end of Thursday’s 1-1 draw in Istanbul, he is likely to have NINE players out.

Ten Hag, whose side sit 12th in the table, said: “That holds us back in our levels. And also in our position in the league.”

Manuel Ugarte, 23, was impressive midweek in a rare start in the midfield holding role following his £42.3million move from Paris Saint-Germain.

But Ten Hag says the Uruguayan still needs time to settle at Old Trafford.

He added: “The No 6 position is a key position in your team, and he has to learn this position in our game model.

“He came late in the window and then we had to integrate him and that takes time.”

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Cowan-Dickie should never have been at Sale in the first place, having signed a deal to join Montpellier in the summer of 2023. But that move broke down after the French club cancelled his contract, citing concerns over his fitness.

There were also reports of an alcohol-fuelled incident while having his medical in France, something Cowan-Dickie puts down to a “misunderstanding”.

The move to Sale kept alive his England career. Lifestyle-wise, though, things had to change.

Cowan-Dickie was a renowned gamer, once topping global leaderboards in Call of Duty. But those 10-hour gaming sessions had to go.

“I’m a very addictive person in most things I do, so when I game, I game for ridiculous hours,” he explained.

“I was number one in the world at Hardcore Search and Destroy. That was back in the time I was injured with my knee and was playing 10 hours a day.

“When I was younger, it was fine, but now I am getting a bit older, routine-wise it just wasn’t good for me. I would game until the stupid hours.

“I would go to bed late, wake up just about on time, not train very well. And I would be tired. So I got into a better routine in the off-season, and my arm has come back, so that might have helped.

“My mind is just better, I just think clearer and am not as erratic in everyday life.”

Alcohol, too, has bitten the dust.

“I haven’t drunk in about four and half, five months,” he said. “I normally have a nice cold beer after the game in the changing room. Now it’s a nice cold coke.

“It’s erratic and I don’t like how I feel after it, so in terms of everyday mood and mental health, I just feel happier.”

Physically and mentally, Cowan-Dickie feels he is in as good a place as ever. At the age of 31, there might yet be time to rediscover the form that made him a world-beater.

With captain Jamie George and up-and-comer Theo Dan commandeering the number two jersey of late, he faces a battle to force his way into the 23-man squad.

But when Cowan-Dickie says he is just thankful to be in the squad again, you definitely believe him.

“I feel like I am back more like myself,” he added.

“I haven’t really been performing for a long time, so I feel like I am improving game to game and I definitely feel like there is more to come. I am excited.”

Valhalla Named Associate Sponsor of Women’s Asia Cup Cricket 2024

Valhalla, the MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) that brings a fresh spin to the classic creature-collection adventure game in a lively world, proudly announces its role as the Associate Sponsor for the Women’s Asia Cup 2024.

This edition of the Asia Cup will feature the highly anticipated and most watched Twenty20 format, and will run from July 19th to July 28th in Sri Lanka.

As Associate Sponsor, Valhalla will gain substantial visibility throughout the tournament. Viewers can expect to see Valhalla’s presence on boundary ropes, perimeter boards, mid-wicket logo mats, and various backdrops, affirming the brand’s strategic market presence and global visibility.

The Women’s Asia Cup will feature the top eight cricketing teams from Asia, including Sri Lanka, India, UAE, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. This event acts as an excellent precursor to the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.

The matches will be broadcast live in India on Star Sports, along with several other broadcast partners globally. The opening day will see a clash between India and Pakistan.

All matches will be played at the iconic Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, known for hosting memorable encounters in the past.

Cricket’s popularity is skyrocketing, with over 2.5 billion fans aged 16-69 worldwide. T20 cricket stands out with a whopping 92% of fans loving it. This massive interest makes T20 a perfect fit for big tournaments like the Women’s Asia Cup. According to a 2018 ICC report, 87% of fans even want T20 cricket in the Olympics. Women’s cricket is also on the rise, with two-thirds of fans excited about women’s matches. This shows just how far-reaching and popular cricket is becoming globally.

About Valhalla

Valhalla is a spin on the classic Creature-Collection adventure taking place in a vibrant and lively world. In an MMORPG, open-world, Norse mythology-inspired setting, players coexist and interact with a diverse set of eccentric creatures called Veras. Discover, tame, train, trade, and most importantly lead your Vera to tactical supremacy on the hexagonal-grid battlefield. Alongside that, alone or as a clan, partake in a dynamic, player-driven economy to rise in the community ranks and make your mark in the competitive, animated world of Valhalla.

Visit Valhalla.game to learn more!