Lauren Murphy explains life-threatening health concern,
“I should have withdrawn from that fight,” Murphy said.
“I should not have been in the octagon that night. I should not have been in the hotel that week. I should not have been in the (UFC Performance Institute) with other athletes that week. I 100 percent wish I had withdrawn from that fight.”
“I thought that showing up to the fight was the most important thing,” Murphy said. “‘Just get to the fight, just get to the fight, don’t miss your chance.’ And that’s not true. That was a big mistake. …
“When I fought Valentina, physically I was not in a place where I could compete at all, much less at my best. It was a very poor performance. I learned that you don’t show up to fights unable to compete. The most important thing is the performance. The most important thing is my health.”
“This is my opportunity to show the universe and show myself that I’ve learned those lessons, and I’m gonna live those lessons,” said Murphy. “I’m not gonna show up to a fight half-dead ever again.”
