The UFC fighter who Hannibal Lectered Anderson Silva, slept Tito Ortiz, and pulled off the biggest bank heist ever
Lee Murray had a shortlived career in the UFC that lasted just one fight all the way back in 2004. Despite retiring from the sport of mixed martial arts later that year, 'Lightning Lee' remains infamous for his work outside of the octagon. Mixed martial arts analyst Ariel Helwani recently shared his story.
Speaking to KSI on The MMA Hour, Helwani stated:
"Have they told you about Lee Murray? The legend of Lee Murray? Lee Murray's a legend from London Shootfighters, who's now in jail in Morocco - a part of the biggest U.K. bank heist ever. He's a freaking legend. He fought Anderson Silva way back in Cage Rage, wore a Hannibal Lecter mask to the ring."
Ariel Helwani continued:
"He got into a street fight with Tito Ortiz, knocked him out outside of a nightclub in the U.K. They haven't told you about Lee Murray over there? By the way, someone needs to do a documentary on Lee Murray. I know there's been talks. He's right now in Morocco and he was a part of this bank heist. Look up Lee Murray. He was from London Shootfighters. Legend. The guy is like a MMA freaking folk hero."
Murray was arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison in 2006 for masterminding a bank heist in which over $92 million were stolen from a Securitas Depot in Kent, England. An additional $266 million was reportedly left behind as the former mixed martial artist and his group did not have the means to transport the large amount of cash. Murray's sentence was extended to 25 years in 2010 when he attempted to escape from prison.
Watch Ariel Helwani's comments on Lee Murray below:
For anyone out there who doesn’t know the story of Lee Murray. One of the craziest stories/characters in MMA history #theMMAhour @arielhelwani @KSI twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/GalHRTZKzW
Why did Lee Murray have only one fight in the UFC?
Lee Murray entered the UFC in 2004 with a 7-1-1 (1) record. Despite defeating Jorge Rivera at UFC 46, 'Lightning Lee' never returned to the promotion.
Murray, who had been facing charges of assault in the United Kingdom over a road rage incident, was unable to enter the United States due to issues with his visa. He went on to fight future UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at Cage Rage 8 for the middleweight title.
The bout against Silva was the final of Murray's career as he was forced to retire from mixed martial arts after being stabbed outside a U.K. nightclub. The former mixed martial artist reportedly needed to be resuscitated four times as a result of his injuries.