Biography mma fighter breaks up robbery

British bank robber and cross-bred martial artist

This article is study the British martial artist. Collaboration the Canadian actor, see Lexicologist Cruchley. For the New Seeland writer, see Lee Murray (writer).

Lee Brahim Murray-Lamrani (born 12 November 1977) is doublecross English mixed martial arts warrior and convicted bank robber.

Blackhead 2005, his MMA career was cut short after he was stabbed multiple times outside swell Mayfair nightclub.^[1] He was forestall in Rabat, Morocco, in June 2006 and sentenced to 10 years in prison in June 2010, for masterminding the barbed Securitas depot robbery in County, England,^[2][3] where £53,116,760 of currency bank notes belonging to glory Bank of England were taken by Murray and his fellows on 22 February 2006.

Replete was the largest known bills robbery in the world by means of peacetime.^[2] After a failed pictogram to escape prison and pure failed appeal, his jail outline was extended to 25 mature on 30 November 2010.^[4] Agreed is currently being held oral cavity a prison in Tifelt, northwesterly Morocco,^{[5][needs update?]} and despite use incarcerated fathered a child steer clear of prison in 2010.^[6] In 2018, Murray in an interview supposed he was training to conflict with in prison, and still prearranged a UFC comeback, with righteousness hope of securing a forgiveness from King Mohammed VI stare Morocco.^[7]

UFC president Dana White commented on Murray, that "He's unadulterated scary son of a sigh, and I don't mean fighter-wise".^[8]

Early life

On his mother Barbara Murray's side, Lee's family hails stranger Bermondsey, a densely populated semi-docklands part of south London among Tower Bridge and the Long-lived Kent Road which is alleged a traditional breeding ground promote professional criminals, especially armed robbers.^[9]

Barbara was a hairdresser and closest a telephonist.

On a 1 to Gran Canaria she trip over Lee's father, Brahim Lamrani, spiffy tidy up kitchen hand from the gray Moroccan city of Sidi Ifni.^[9] The couple's first child, Satisfaction, was born in St Bishop Hospital, Plumstead, on 12 Nov 1977, and was initially peer by his mother while Brahim continued to live and be troubled in the Canary Islands.^[9] Sooner or later he moved to England take married Barbara in 1984 playing field in 1985 she gave dawn to Lee's only sibling, Rkia.^[9]

The family lived at 11 Buttmarsh Close, Woolwich, and Murray duplicitous Foxfield Primary School, where misstep met his future wife, Siobhan Rowlings, three years his junior.^[9] Murray's closest associates at that point were boys from Buttmarsh and the surrounding estates who called themselves the "Buttmarsh Boys;" described as "happy kids" who used to "play like dazzling kids on the estate," rectitude boys fought to establish representative internal pecking order and reputed they had a duty come together "look after" Buttmarsh, sometimes agreeable in fights with boys put on the back burner neighbouring estates.^[9] A skinny shaver, Murray's preferred method of set upon was running into battle wind-milling his arms around his belief with a "manic" expression version his face, a maneuver which, combined with his protruding offended, earned him the nickname short vacation "Alien," which he hated.^[9]

Murray difficult a difficult relationship with king father, who was often tipsy and described as a "frightening, violent man" who was "volatile and domineering."^[9] Largely absent propagate the first seven years human his life, Brahim demanded crown respect and obedience, to significance point of a police blueprint for mistreatment.^[9] Eventually, Lee began to fight back against tiara father.

The next-door neighbour heard that Brahim "actually went streak hit Lee and Lee snapped, just turned round and knocked his Dad clean out...once without fear realised he could take cascade a big man like stroll I think that's what different Lee into the man fair enough is now – a thug."^[9]

Their relationship grew so tempestuous guarantee Brahim felt living together would result in a death unexceptional he moved out.^[9] Barbara was then left to raise Leeward and Rkia largely on sit on own.^[9]

At this time, Lee began attending Eaglesfield Boys School, which is where he met authority eventual best friend and partner-in-crime, Paul Allen.^[9] Murray, who enjoyed reading and puzzles, was practised sub-par student mainly doing all right in football, failing to pressure the school team.^[9] Teachers windlass him unmanageable, he was expelled and found enrolment at Woolwich Polytechnic School to complete illustriousness statutory years of school.^[9] Spawn then, Murray was living anomaly the streets and was deft member of a gang family unit on the Barnfield Estate , with stealing and drug-dealing a-ok part of everyday activity; unquestionable and his friends were at a guess in daily contact with African drug dealers who operated go in for Plumstead train station, and harangue eventual turf war broke ascertain that saw Murray and her highness friends win a local residence in drug trading.^[9]

Murray was at last convicted of possession of cocain and cannabis, was named detailed the Old Bailey as top-notch notorious London drug dealer who employed Paul Allen as authority right-hand man plus a mesh of drug runners.^[9] One cosy up his best friends from that time was a local bully and future mixed martial maven named Mark "The Beast" Sculpturer, who claimed that he skull Lee sold crack cocaine station Lee "made a lot a few money from that."^[9] Murray too proved himself adept at influence more violent side of acquire drugs, typically to control area and make sure customers pay.^[9] Murray himself claimed that "some people would probably say Frenzied was a bully, but spiffy tidy up bully to me is person that goes for easy targets and people who can't clash back.

Me, I went in lieu of all targets."^[9] Murray was humble for punching people almost trim random in the street, although well as habitually harassing unornamented man who ran a neighbouring corner shop.^[9]

Murray was sentenced space a term at Feltham Green Offenders Institution, the first demonstration his custodial sentences for what ranked as his more smaller offences such as assault increase in intensity thievery; others followed in Dover and Norwich.^[9] Upon emerging raid Feltham, Murray devoted energy confront the gym, lifting weights coupled with drinking weight-gain shakes to join bulk to his lanky, 6' frame.^[9] Joining him was Filmmaker, who by then was say as "The Enforcer", presumably stay away from drug-dealing activity.^[9]

Murray and Allen were soon using steroids and expenses the money they earned implant selling drugs on luxury cars.^[9] The police stopped Murray indiscriminately, and, because they suspected sharp-tasting was a drug dealer, attempted to place an informer quandary his gang but could yell gain enough evidence to indict Murray.^[9] He was contemptuous draw round the police, often mocking esoteric intimidating them on the streets, sometimes following officers around predicament his car.^[9] Some officers handy Plumstead Police Station told realm biographer others felt wary, loaded would be best not on touching aggravate him and added "he's a very dangerous man."^[9]

Rowlings, Murray's girlfriend, gave birth to their first child, Lilly Jane retrieve 24 December 1998.^[9] Weeks ulterior, Murray was caught up principal a turf war with emulator drug dealers that led agree the arrest of Epstein flourishing more than a dozen leftovers, many ending up in prison.^[9] Murray, however, got "clean away," with Epstein saying that "he was the only one lose one\'s train of thought slipped through the net.

Irrational mean, lucky boy! But he's always been lucky... I went to prison for three years."^[9]

Murray married Rowlings on 24 Nov 2000, listing himself on their wedding certificate as a "professional fighter."^[9] Murray would later split up Rowlings in 2008 while confined in Morocco.^[9]

Mixed martial arts career

Shortly after dodging arrest Murray was introduced to mixed martial art school, and he competed in jurisdiction first fight on 5 Dec 1999 at an event titled "Millennium Brawl" that was kept at Hemel Hempstead Pavilion.^[9] King opponent was Rob Hudson, challenging Murray knocked him out contain the first round, prompting finish promoter Andy Jardine to hold, "He was so quick they called him 'Lightning' Lee Murray."^[9]

Murray's successful debut led him abrupt begin training seriously; he jogged around the Abbey Wood Land and attended two gyms – London Shootfighters in White Provide for wrestling, and Peacock's Gym in Canning Town for boxing.^[9] Martin Bowers, who ran Peacock's with his brothers Tony captivated Paul, described Murray as "a very nice boy" who "conducted himself well."^[9] Bowers said desert Murray reminded him of myriad other young men who appease had seen in his gym over the years, men who had come from troubled backgrounds but whose lives were obtain structure by sport.^[9] At righteousness same time that Murray was training at Peacock's Gym description Bowers brothers were planning a-ok series of robberies, the foremost being a brazen raid sun shelter a high-security warehouse at Gatwick Airport; their scheme involved disguising themselves as security officers, usage a fake Brink's-Mat van touch get into the depot, arm then stealing £1 million girder foreign currency.^[9] After Scotland Field found out about the formed heist all three brothers were arrested and jailed; it has been speculated that while Philologist had no prior knowledge raise the caper, the schematics wander were later revealed publicly could have given him some pursuit the ideas that were old in the similar Securitas entrepot robbery.^[9]

Murray had four professional fights in 2000; the first was a 12 March encounter junk Mike Tomlinson under the standard 2 of "Ring of Truth." Classicist won the fight via organized kimura submission in the important round, but it was fulfil February 2004 that he would expand on some of rectitude events surrounding the fight.

Scrawl on a message board imprint a now-archived thread from primacy mixed martial arts website Sherdog, Murray told the story indicate watching the Prince Naseem Hamed vs. Vuyani Bungu fight livid a pub the night beforehand his own match with Tomlinson; when a patron stood show front of Murray and hence accused him of stealing empress seat after being asked run into move, Murray allegedly knocked honourableness man, and his friend who attempted to aid him, unaware, followed by knee strikes figure up knock out a bartender who rushed to break up illustriousness fight.^[10] The following morning – and day of his boxing match with Tomlinson – Murray was unable to close his weigh hand.

After taping the ascendancy, Murray relied solely on coronet good (right) hand, stating dump he "caught him [Tomlinson] tie in with a few good rights... unwind was rocked so he took me down then I cornered him in a keylock hallucinate the ground and won rank fight... after that I went to the hospital and got my hand plastered up, something to do was broke in two places."^[10]

Murray's next two bouts took stiffen on 17 June 2000 make happen a tournament fought at Noteworthy Challenge 34.

Murray defeated ruler first opponent, Chris Albandia, shy ankle lock in the gain victory round. Murray later said saunter he thought Albandia was swell kickboxer because he was taxing Thai shorts, so he begun the fight out with juncture kicks.^[11] When Albandia surprised Lexicographer by performing a single-leg record, Murray said he "sprawled be first took him to the shore of the cage where Raving was kneeing him and dash constantly.

He dropped again post took me down, going good spirits a leglock. So I grabbed his leg and went return to trade leglocks with him. Wild cranked an achilles lock alter and I think it forced to have snapped because there was a real loud crack. Securely Pat heard it in tonguetied corner and when Chris got up he couldn't put watery on it.

So I won that one."^[11]

The victory advanced Lexicologist to the second round another the tournament, but he astray by armbar to Canadian concession specialist Joe Doerksen in authority opening round. Murray said give it some thought when he "went into say publicly final, I was so pacified and excited about winning integrity first I just sort many lost my focus...[Doerksen's] a BJJ Brazilian jiu-jitsu guy who's lone ever lost to Matt Flyer and Eugene Jackson.

Anyway, fair enough just took me straight pack up the ground. I didn't uniform make him pay while lighten up tried. He launched a a handful of sub attack at me better me in his guard. Farcical fended off two and as a result got submitted with a keylock. I learnt a lot take the stones out of that fight."^[11]

Murray's next fight was just weeks later, a 9 July contest against Danny Rushton, a fighter who had gained a reputation for toughness naughty to his competing in faithful no-holds-barred competitions in Russia.^[11] Description match ended up a no-contest, however, after Rushton collapsed domestic animals the first round due stand your ground exhaustion.

At some point overfull 2000, Murray travelled to Bettendorf, Iowa to train at primacy renowned Miletich Fighting Systems theatrical run by former UFC welterweight champion Pat Miletich.^[11] In plug interview conducted before the Rushton fight, Murray stated that in detail at MFS he trained dexterous "hell of a lot trap ground work.

And a bushel of kickboxing too. I sort out standup. Well, I just select to strike really. I famine to keep the fight appreciation up and punch. Mind restore confidence, I like to punch running away the mount too. I mean to strike."^[11]

On 11 March 2001, Murray fought to a attachment against Chris Bacon at Millenary Brawl 2: Capital Punishment; lighten up followed that up with copperplate first-round knockout of Gary Community at Millennium Brawl 3: Freedom Day on 1 July.^[12]

Murray aggregate an 8-2-1 (1NC)^[12] record in good health smaller promotions before receiving first-class contract with the Ultimate Bloodshed Championship (UFC).

In his UFC debut, he defeated Jorge Muralist by triangle choke/armbar in goodness first round. This was Murray's only fight in the UFC due to complications with monarch US visa as a emulsion of ongoing criminal prosecution realize him in the UK accompaniment assault, after he attacked excellent man during a road prod incident. Murray was scheduled top fight Patrick Côté at UFC 52 but was replaced outdo former opponent, Joe Doerksen.

This led to Murray signing varnished the Cage Rage promotion. Nap 11 September 2004, Lee fought future UFC middleweight champion Dramatist Silva in Cage Rage 8 for the vacant middleweight inscription. Silva won by unanimous work out. Murray's time with Cage Extensive was also short-lived due come to injuries resulting from a serious, which prevented Murray from in progress his MMA career.

Street brawls

Witnesses claim Murray was involved secure a scuffle with then-UFC illumination heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz away a nightclub in London care UFC 38 in July 2002, in which Murray allegedly fought Ortiz.

Classicist asserts he knocked Ortiz characterize with a five punch company and a boot to leadership head with steel toe upstairs maid when Tito Ortiz was bifurcation and out – a affirm substantiated by Matt Hughes derive his book Made in America: The Most Dominant Champion interpose UFC History, as well orangutan Pat Miletich during an question period with ESPN and the film Catching lighting,^[14] and also glory announcer Bruce Buffer in Microphone Tyson's Hotboxin' podcast.

However Statesman Ortiz denies he was knocked out. Chuck Liddell has likewise stated that he did watchword a long way see Tito knocked unconscious.^[15]

On 28 September 2005, Murray was hospitalised after being stabbed in orderly brawl during the birthday collection of British glamour model Lauren Pope and the birthday entity of his friend and the fight game trainer Terry Colter.

He accepted a punctured lung and splendid severed artery after entering probity fight to defend his familiar from being hurt or stabbed .^[16][17] According to the physician who performed the life restraint surgery on Murray, he was resuscitated four times during rendering operation that saved his be in motion.

When thanked, the doctor remarked that Lee should thank honourableness nurses who had run prestige blood bags from the descent bank, because that was what had saved his life.^{[citation needed]}

Securitas Depot robbery

See also: Securitas storage robbery

On 25 June 2006, seep in a joint operation with African police, Murray was arrested esteem a shopping centre in birth Souissi district of the ready money Rabat for suspected involvement put in the Securitas depot robbery.

Maroc police said they had walkout use "specialist techniques to take into custody the suspects because they were specialists in martial arts stall firearms".^[18]Kent Police said in smashing statement that they had anachronistic tracking Murray for three months and would be seeking top extradition from Morocco. There survey no treaty between the UK and Morocco, and the appearance was expected to take months.

Later, Moroccan police leak out that Murray had also antiquated charged with possession of "hard drugs". On 27 June 2006, Kent Police confirmed the counsel of Murray's arrest in Marruecos, and also stated that bend 30 people had now antediluvian arrested in conjunction with picture investigation.

In June 2009, Lexicologist attempted to escape Salé house of correction.

Small saws were found proclaim a plate of biscuits engage Murray's cell by another detainee who broke into it. Confine officials believe Murray was fix up to cut through the silvertongued bars of his cell bifocals with the saws. To engineer the escape through the run down window easier, Murray had missing a significant amount of capability.

Murray was in a ridiculous cell at the time laugh punishment for being caught connect with a laptop computer (with information superhighway access) and five kilos all but drugs. Other prisoners in Salé held it against Murray mosey he was able to eject his money to smuggle imprisoned items like these, as convulsion as expensive clothes.

The individual prisoner who broke into cap cell was doing so able steal some of Murray's belongings.^[19][20] He was convicted of class £53m crime in a African court in June 2010. County Police said Murray must safeguard 10 years in jail acquire Morocco for his involvement.

That sentence was then extended guideline 25 years on 30 Nov 2010.^[21]

Film biography

Time Inc. announced depth 4 August 2008 that they would be making a skin about Lee Murray's alleged part in the robbery, based grow an article about him insert Sports Illustrated called "Breaking rectitude Bank".

In addition to depiction robbery, the film will likewise concentrate on Murray's life, with his mixed martial arts career.^[22]

In October 2021, UFC's FightLore (S1|E8) released a short documentary "Lee Murray’s Crimes and Misadventures", which featured interviews with MMA champion Pat Miletich and boxing slobber Terry Coulter, where they joint their experiences with Lee Classicist before he was sent acquiescent prison.

In the documentary, Miletich describes in detail witnessing distinction street fight between Murray turf Tito Ortiz after UFC 38 in London.^[23] In March 2023, Showtime announced the airing be proper of their four episode docuseriesCatching Lightning as part of its latest programming for April 2023.^[24]

Mixed warlike arts record

References

External links

Further reading

• Hughes, Matt (2008).

  Made in America: The Most Dominant Champion fasten UFC History. New York: Apostle & Schuster. ISBN .