UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy has set his sights on an ambitious goal outside the octagon: competing in padel at the Olympic Games. In a recent vlog, the Manchester-based star talked about how he quickly become obsessed with the rapidly growing racquet sport.
“I’m just learning, just getting better, but I’m aiming for the Olympics,” Murphy declared confidently as he prepared for a training session that began with padel rather than traditional MMA warm-ups. Murphy has been playing since late May, with his first game taking place in Maro following one of his fights.
Murphy’s passion for padel has grown exponentially in just a few months. “It’s like super super super addictive,” he explained. “I love playing. Love getting better, but it’s not good being the [worst] one on the team. You know what I mean? So, I need to improve.”
The UFC contender regularly trains alongside teammates Jordan Barton, James Stairs, and Tom, who owns the gym where they play. Despite being relatively new to the sport, Murphy’s competitive nature drives him to constantly improve his game.
When asked about giving up his Olympic aspirations for a career change after a competitive match, Murphy responded: “Not yet. Not yet. One more year. One more year and we’ll be there. Olympic level.”
What makes Murphy’s pursuit particularly interesting is how he’s integrated padel into his overall training regimen. Rather than viewing it as a distraction from MMA, he uses it as an active warm-up before sparring and grappling sessions. This approach demonstrates his belief that the sport offers legitimate fitness benefits beyond simple recreation.
“I just like winning. I like competition,” Murphy stated, explaining his drive to excel in multiple disciplines. His training partner confirmed the fighter’s rapid improvement, noting that their matches have become increasingly competitive. When asked to choose between giving up padel or chess—another passion of Murphy’s—he ultimately sided with continuing padel. “There’s many more benefits,” he reasoned, citing its fitness advantages.
While Murphy’s Olympic dream may seem ambitious given padel’s recent addition, his dedication suggest he’s serious about the pursuit.
