Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy: Complete Fight Preview, and Prediction | UFC Vegas 105

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight contenders Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy will face off tonight, April 5, 2025, at UFC Vegas 105, taking place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Emmett vs Murphy live stream. 

It has been approximately 15 months since Emmett knocked Bryce Mitchell out, marking a spectacular return to victory (watch highlights). Emmett vows to come back stronger and more formidable than ever (details here), but he faces a significant challenge against Manchester's Murphy. Known as "The Miracle," Murphy remains unbeaten in nine Octagon appearances. While he may not have always delivered standout performances, he has shown steady improvement with each fight. The victor of this matchup will emerge as a Top 10-ranked contender in the 145-pound division, while the loser may find themselves on the outside looking in.

Emmett is a formidable fighter. While he sometimes relies too heavily on his well-known right hand, he demonstrates solid boxing skills when he isn’t solely aiming for a knockout. Additionally, as a former collegiate wrestler, his defensive wrestling has proven effective in the Octagon, especially at 145 pounds.

This matchup will hinge on range. Murphy has significant advantages in both height and reach, and he tends to be the more active kicker. Although Emmett prefers to box from the outside, he will need to close the distance and land punches from within the pocket to take down Murphy. streameast ufc.

To close the gap, Emmett should increase his punch output. I would like to see him extend his combinations, delivering more than just 2-3 strikes at a time. Targeting the body first and then working up to the head is an effective strategy for reducing distance, and Emmett has previously showcased some clever shifting combinations that could be advantageous in this fight. UFC Live stream.

Murphy has built an impressive winning streak thanks to his diverse skill set. He has effectively boxed opponents, utilized powerful kicks, wrestled to victory, and engaged in sprawled-and-brawled tactics against skilled grapplers.

The key for Murphy lies in maintaining distance. He aims to stay at the edge of his range, using jabs to keep Emmett at bay, delivering powerful kicks, and timing counters as Emmett attempts to close in. Murphy possesses a slight speed advantage, which will be beneficial in conjunction with his range. UFC StreamEast. 

However, there is little margin for error when facing Emmett. Murphy must avoid the cage at all costs, as his career may depend on it. It could be wise for him to take a cue from Ilia Topuria and incorporate reactive takedowns to keep Emmett cautious and prevent him from advancing unchecked. UFC Streams.

If Murphy can steer clear of a pure boxing match and effectively blend his martial arts skills, his chances of avoiding significant damage will greatly increase. Streameast live.

The main concern here is Emmett's age—he's 40, and it's uncommon for Featherweights at that age to succeed at a high level.

However, I don't believe age is the most significant factor in this matchup. Throughout his winning streak, Murphy has experienced several challenging moments. He has lost rounds and been rocked multiple times, often making his fights closely contested. He tends to struggle to capitalize on his advantages and finish his opponents.

It would be unwise for Murphy to make any defensive mistakes against Emmett. Additionally, allowing Emmett five rounds to find his rhythm is not a smart strategy. Emmett is likely to have 25 minutes to land that right hand, and I doubt it will take him that long to do so. Stream east ufc.

FEATHERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN! The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back at APEX in Las Vegas for a crucial main event featuring hard-hitting featherweight veteran Josh Emmett against No. 10-ranked contender Lerone Murphy. Additionally, in the co-main event, 145-pound fighter Pat Sabatini aims to halt the comeback of Brazilian striker Joanderson Brito.