'Lightning' Lee Murray in critical condition after street brawl

A CAGE Rage fighter was battling for his life last night after a celebrity-studded party for a Page 3 girl ended in a blood-drenched knife brawl. Bareknuckle bruiser "Lightning" Lee Murray, 27, a top star of no-holds-barred martial arts contests, is critically ill with stab wounds. Two other men who were knifed are seriously injured. A horrified witness who saw the battle involving up to 12 men outside the Funky Buddha nightclub in upmarket Mayfair said: "It was like a bloody warzone, with fists, feet and knives on two streets.

"One of the guys must have brain damage if he survives. I saw three men hitting him so hard I thought his head would come off his neck."

Murray's friend and promoterAndy Geer said last night: "I'm devastated. Lee's in a very bad way. He just went to a party with friends and this results. He's got a colourful history but since he's been contracted to Cage Rage he's been well-behaved." Mayhem broke out at 3.15am yesterday after model Lauren Pope celebrated her 21st birthday party at the trendy club in Berkeley Street. Among celebrity guests were Calum Best, 24, Big Brother's Jade Goody, 24, and former England soccer stars Jermaine Jenas, Zat Knight and Lee Hendrie. None was involved in the incident. CCTV seen by the Mirror shows three men watching the club from the street. When former street fighter Murray emerges, they pounce.

Up to a dozen men are then drawn into a pitched battle between two groups.