It's not very often that you see a mixed martial artist make a transition from amateur to professional so gracefully that spectators are left wanting to know more about the person and their incredible journey. Then again, Darnell "Strong Soul" Murphy isn't your typical mixed martial artist.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Darnell Murphy has always believed he would someday become a professional mixed martial artist. A former Bowie High School wrestling standout and football player, Murphy's love for contact sports only reinforced his desire to become a fighter. "Everything I have up until this point, I've fought to get. It wasn't given to me. I had to earn it. That's how I knew I was born to do this. I fight everyday for me and for all those that have ever been told they couldn't...," says Murphy.
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Fast forward several years later after high school and you see a driven man's dream that has manifested into reality.
On Saturday, November 15, 2014, Darnell "Strong Soul" Murphy joined Shogun Fights XI at the Baltimore Arena in Maryland for an impressive bout against his opponent Jonathan Vinyard, where Murphy defeated Vinyard in the second round by way of technical knockout due to unanswered strikes. View his highlights at the 4:09 mark. When asked how he felt after the match Murphy stated, "I feel incredible. Every training session, missed events and the isolation I experienced trying to reach for something bigger than myself has finally paid off. I did what some said I would never do. I lived my dream."
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This isn't the end of Murphy's dream. With so much more to come, Murphy will transition into his professional fighting career just how he walked into the cage at Shogun Fights XI; with humility. Murphy will continue to be a representation for those fighting to reach their dreams and he will forever be grateful for his family, trainers, and fans that have supported him throughout this journey.
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