After 16 months on the sidelines, Josh Emmett returned to the Octagon on Saturday night for a main event clash with undefeated featherweight standout Lerone Murphy at UFC Vegas 105.
The last time we saw Emmett compete, he scored a horrifying first-round knockout against Bryce Mitchell. Determined to continue his climb up the 145-pound ranks, ‘CC0’ was tasked with handing Murphy his first career loss.
Round 1
Emmett gets things started with a right hand. Murphy responds with a left as Emmett attempts to close the distance. Both fighters spent the first 90 seconds sizing up one another, but Emmett finally pulled the trigger near the fence, throwing a combination. Murphy counters with an elbow that catches Emmett. Blood is already streaming down the middle of Emmett’s face, but the cut appears to have been from an accidental clash of heads just before the elbow.
Emmett connects with a left, and Murphy fires back with a stiff calf kick. Emmett throws a calf kick of his own. Murphy gives him one right back. Murphy is staying disciplined as Emmett tries to pressure. Murphy throws a kick to the body, but Emmett catches it and scores a brief takedown. Murphy pops back up and returns to the center of the Octagon just before the end of the round.
Round 2
Emmett comes out and immediately looks to land a big right hand. Murphy throws a left, but Emmett ducks under and sends Emmett crashing to the canvas with a massive takedown. Murphy tries to wall walk his way back up while Emmett tries to settle into the guard. Murphy fishes for a ninja choke, forcing Emmett to defend. That allows Murphy to scramble back to his feet. Murphy lands a beautiful kick to the body, and Emmett immediately shoots in for a takedown against the fence.
Murphy breaks away with a little over 90 seconds left in the second stanza and lands a nice calf kick that takes Emmett off balance. Both fighters swing big and miss. Murphy throws a spinning heel kick and follows it up with a straight to the body. Murphy fires off a high kick, but it’s blocked by Emmett just before the horn sounds.
Round 3
An early exchange in the third sees Murphy land. Murphy follows that up with a nice side kick to the leg. Emmett appears to be slowing down a bit and he eats a vicious front kick to the body. Murphy slips while shooting for a takedown and Emmett uses the opportunity to his advantage, catching Murphy in a single-leg against the fence. Murphy defends, prompting Emmett to let go and separate. Murphy tries the high kick again, but there’s nothing on it.
Murphy lands another kick to the lead leg. During an exchange, Murphy inadvertently scrapes Emmett’s eye, prompting a pause in the action. Fortunately, Emmett is good to go, but referee Jason Herzog makes it clear that if it happens again, he’ll take a point. The fight resumes, and Murphy lands another brutal leg kick. Emmett catches a high kick from Murphy and uses it to score a takedown with a minute to go. Murphy uses the cage to get back up and separate.
Murphy throws a spinning heel kick, but there’s nobody there. Murphy closes the round with another front kick to the body.
Round 4
Emmett comes out with a sense of urgency and fires off a combination. Murphy responds with a calf kick that takes Emmett off his feet momentarily. Emmett throws a flying knee up the middle, but Murphy sees it coming and sidesteps. Murphy lands a hard body kick, and Emmett lands a big right hand in response. Emmett closes the distance and partially connects with another right.
Murphy lands another leg kick, and Emmett appears to be walking gingerly on his lead limb now. Murphy lands with an oblique kick as Emmett pours on the pressure. Emmett throws a right, but eats one from Murphy. Emmett gives him one back, followed by a one-two. Murphy sticks Emmett with a jab followed by another front kick. With 30 seconds left in the round, Emmett shoots for a double leg against the fence. Emmett fails to secure the takedown before the end of the round.
Round 5
Murphy throws a head kick that Emmett blocks. Emmett fires a right hand and ties up before quickly letting go. Emmett throws a leg kick and follows it up with a jab. Murphy circles the Octagon as Emmett stalks him. Emmett ducks under a right from Murphy and rips to the body. Murphy repays him with a right hand straight down the middle. Emmett catches Murphy with a right, then a left. Emmett shoots for a takedown, but gives up and backs away.
Emmett connects with another right. Emmett throws a combination, but eats a left hand from Murphy that stumbles him. Emmett appears to be a bit frustrated as Murphy continues to circle the cage. Emmett calls for Murphy to stand in the center and bang with him. Murphy does not oblige. Emmett throws one last right hand, but it fails to get through Murphy’s guard, and the fight comes to a close.
Official Result: Lerone Murphy def. Josh Emmett via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Check Out Highlights From Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy at UFC Vegas 105:
Josh ‘Air’ Emmett pic.twitter.com/PJC9Rtuajr
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) April 6, 2025
Lerone Murphy Counter Right Elbow-Left Cross-Right Hook #UFCVegas105 pic.twitter.com/6NpY52MtbR
— Underrated Tribal Chief (@MMAUnderrated) April 6, 2025
Murphy hurt Emmett here with that spinning back kick to the body #UFCVegas105 pic.twitter.com/FcjLfqIrO5
— Underrated Tribal Chief (@MMAUnderrated) April 6, 2025
Murphy lances Emmett with a cross down the middle #UFCVegas105 pic.twitter.com/BsLqqgmFZW
— Underrated Tribal Chief (@MMAUnderrated) April 6, 2025
STILL UNBEATEN 🔥 #UFCVegas105@LeroneMurphy beats Josh Emmett by unanimous decision! pic.twitter.com/W6ApYUDAOZ
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 6, 2025
“16-0! EASY WORK!” – LERONE MURPHY 😮💨#UFCVegas105 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/KlUs7rWVJ1
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) April 6, 2025
