UFC Vegas 105: Emmett vs. Murphy – Explosive Featherweight Showdown at the APEX

Fight fans, buckle up! We’re hours away from what promises to be an absolute barnburner in the UFC featherweight division. Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy are set to throw down in the main event of UFC Vegas 105 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, and I couldn’t be more pumped to break this one down for you.

Veteran Power Meets Undefeated Prospect

This matchup has “Fight of the Night” written all over it. In the blue corner, we have Josh Emmett (18-4), the human highlight reel with dynamite in his hands. The Team Alpha Male standout has been a fixture in the featherweight elite for years, known for his scary one-punch knockout power that can change the course of a fight in milliseconds.

Across the octagon stands Lerone Murphy (13-0-1), the undefeated British prospect who’s been quietly building one of the most impressive résumés in the division. “The Miracle” has lived up to his nickname, showcasing exceptional striking, grappling, and fight IQ in his UFC tenure.

What makes this clash so intriguing is the classic veteran vs. prospect dynamic. Emmett, at 39, is looking to prove he’s still a legitimate title contender, while Murphy, 32, sees this as his golden opportunity to break into the division’s top 5.

Path to Victory for Both Fighters

For Emmett, the gameplan seems straightforward – close the distance, cut off the cage, and land that fight-ending right hand we’ve seen demolish so many opponents. After dropping back-to-back losses to Ilia Topuria and Yair Rodriguez, he’s hungry to remind the division why he’s been feared for so long.

Murphy’s approach will likely involve movement, managing distance, and mixing in his grappling. The Manchester native has shown remarkable takedown defense (88%) in his UFC career, which could be crucial against Emmett’s wrestling background.

Stakes Are Massive for Both Men

This isn’t just another fight night main event – this is career-defining for both athletes. Emmett can’t afford a third straight loss if he wants to remain in title contention. At 39, the window is closing, and he knows it.

For Murphy, this is his big break. After dealing with fight cancellations and limited opportunities, he finally has the spotlight. An impressive win over a ranked veteran like Emmett would catapult him into the featherweight elite overnight.

What to Watch For

I’m particularly interested in how Murphy handles Emmett’s pressure in the early rounds. Emmett is notorious for starting fast and hunting for that kill shot immediately. Murphy has never faced someone with Emmett’s combination of wrestling pedigree and one-punch KO power.

Keep an eye on the cardio factor too. Five-round fights separate the contenders from the pretenders. Emmett has gone the championship distance multiple times, while this is Murphy’s first main event. How will the undefeated prospect handle the championship rounds if we get there?

Also, watch for Emmett’s leg kicks – a sneaky weapon he’s used to slow opponents down before landing the big right hand.

The Rest of UFC Vegas 105

While the main event is stealing headlines, this card has some serious depth. The co-main features a women’s flyweight clash between Natalia Silva and Viviane Araujo that could have title implications.

Plus, don’t sleep on Julian Erosa vs. Chepe Mariscal – that has “sleeper Fight of the Night” potential written all over it.

How to Watch UFC Vegas 105

The preliminary card kicks off at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT on ESPN+, with the main card following at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. The Emmett-Murphy main event should start around 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, depending on how long the earlier fights last.

My Prediction

This is incredibly tough to call. Emmett has the experience and the clear power advantage, but Murphy’s perfect record isn’t an accident. The Brit has shown remarkable adaptability and seems to have no glaring weaknesses.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say Murphy weathers an early storm, uses his movement to frustrate Emmett, and takes over in rounds 3-5 to win a competitive decision. But with Emmett’s power, he’s literally one punch away from proving me wrong at any moment.

What do you think? Is Emmett going to add another highlight to his reel, or will Murphy’s undefeated streak continue? Drop your predictions in the comments!

I’ll be updating this live blog throughout the fight, so check back for round-by-round analysis as these featherweight contenders throw down in Vegas!

Source: UFC