UFC featherweight Josh Emmett ended a 476-day absence from the octagon when he faced Lerone Murphy in the main event of UFC Vegas 105 on Saturday night.
Emmett (19-4) was coming off a viral knockout victory over Bryce Mitchell that resurfaced rather loudly recently. Entering his 15th fight in the UFC Emmett’s mission was to set himself up for a title shot sooner than later. He holds victories over Mitchell, Calvin Kattar, Dan Ige, Shane Burgos, and Michael Johnson to name a few.
He challenged Yair Rodriguez for the UFC interim title in 2023, but fell short via submission. A win over the undefeated Murphy would have gone a long way to get back into serious contention.
Murphy (15-0-1) believed this bout was a #1 contender fight given that other contenders have gone on to title shots off a win over Emmett. He named Ilia Topuria as the main example, and he may not be too far off with that analysis.
The Manchester product holds victories over Josh Culibao, Ricardo Ramos, Douglas Silva de Andrade, Edson Barboza and Dan Ige to name a few.
Round 1 Emmett began to hunt Murphy early, but left himself open to counters. Murphy landed right hands and moved out of the way. Emmet found a way close enough to land some big shots, but Murphy landed a nasty elbow in the middle of it causing a cut.
The blood from the cut began to pour down Emmett’s face as the cut seemed to be in the middle of his forehead. Replay showed a clash of heads caused the cut, and not the elbows landed by Murphy.
Murphy finally got into landing some calf kicks near the end of the round, but Emmett found a rhythm as well landing on him. Emmett caught a kick and got Murphy to the ground momentarily before the end of the round.
Round 2 Emmett shot in for a takedown avoiding a right hand from Murphy, but he was able to pick him up and slam him to the ground. Emmett took top position, but Murphy got right to work getting to his feet.
Murphy used a ninja choke to help him get to his feet. Spinning back kick to the body for Murphy may have triggered a takedown response from Emmett. He got Murphy to the fence, but the Manchester product has never been an easy man to take down.
Murphy got back to striking. He continued to attack the lead leg with straight kicks, calf kicks, and the lateral movement following those shots.
The round ended with Murphy continuing to stick and move until he heard the horn.
Round 3 Murphy had all the momentum going into the third round, and Emmett knew it. Emmett went off landing big shots on Murphy, but also ate a couple. Murphy continued to attack the lead leg with he side kicks.
Emmett slowed noticeably off those attacks to the lead leg, but he still had plenty of power. Landing a big right hand Emmett forced Murphy to move lateral in order to recover, but it didn’t take long.
Emmett shot in on a single leg, but nothing came of it as Murphy stuffed it and landed on him. At just under two minutes Emmett rushed in with right hand, and Murphy poked him in the eyes.
Not long of a time out Emmett said he was fine and the fight continued.
Emmett shoved Murphy to the ground and landed on top with a minute left in the round. Murphy threw up a triangle attempt, Emmett avoided it, but his opponent got to his feet quickly.
Round 4 Emmett came out on a mission to find a finish. Flying knees to get in close didn’t work so he accepted he’d take some damage and forced the entries. He began to land some damage on Murphy, but he was still eating way too many leg kicks and body shots.
Murphy began to spam the oblique kick on Emmett who has a history of knee injuries. It wasn’t only effective, but forced Emmett to think twice about entering too close without a set up. Still he went in with a lot of overhand rights.
Emmett flew in on a double, but still wasn’t able to get a takedown as the round ended.
Round 5 it was put up or shut up time for Emmett and he leaned into what he’s known for. Big power, and overhand rights. Murphy continued to fire off with the kicks, but Emmett accepted he’d get hit and still went after him with power.
Murphy wasn’t running away as he also continued to land on Emmett, but a much more mixed approach. Emmett had a moment around the 2:20 mark where he landed some good shots, but then chose to go for a takedown which was easily stuffed.
With a minute left in the fight Murphy landed a big shot that seemed to hurt Emmett, but he didn’t rush in to finish the fight. Emmett went back to his old school ways again throwing heavy shots with his right hand.
He looked at Murphy and asked him to stand with him, but that was not going to happen.
The fight ended with Murphy continuing to move around and avoid Emmett’s power.
Official Result: Lerone Murphy def. Josh Emmett via Unanimous Decision (48-47×2, 49-46)
