A pair of featherweights clashed in the UFC Vegas 105 main event on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. No. 8 ranked Josh Emmett faced No. 10 ranked Lerone Murphy in the featured fight.
Emmett was looking to build off the momentum of his knockout win over Bryce Mitchell in his last outing. The unbeaten Murphy planned to keep his unbeaten record intact and pick up the biggest win of his career.
Both fighters were careful in the early going respecting each other’s abilities. Emmett closed the distance and Murphy connected with a counter right hand. Emmett pressed forward and Murphy landed a right hand on the inside. Emmett lane to the body. Emmett began bleeding from his forehead from what appeared to be a clash of heads. Murphy begin moving forward late in the round. He delivered leg kicks while Emmett looked to connect with a power shots. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Murphy.
Emmett pressed forward with a right hand to start the second frame. He closed the distance, changed levels, elevated Murphy and slammed him to the canvas. Murphy went for a guillotine choke and created enough space to get back to his feet. Murphy delivered a spinning back kick to the body that caused Emmett to look for a takedown. Murphy landed a couple of knees to the body and the two separated. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Murphy but both rounds were close.
Emmet pressured Murphy in the third. Murphy connected with an elbow. Emmett fired back with a right hand. Emmett landed a big right hand. Murphy slipped and went for a single leg. Emmett shook it off and they worked for position along the fence. Once separated, Emmett pressed forward. He was accidentally poked in the eye and given time to recover. The referee warned Murphy that he’d take a point next time.
The fight was restarted and Emmett pressured Murphy. He moved in with a combination. Murphy responded with a hard kick to the body. Murphy threw a high kick and Emmett took the fight to the ground. He landed a few punches before Murphy got to his feet and circled free. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Emmett.
Emmett’s corner told him to ‘be the bully’ for the next two rounds.
Murphy landed a kick to the body to start the fourth round. Emmett pressed forward with a combination. Murphy’s leg kick stated to add up. Murphy’s footwork and movement kept Emmett at bay. Emmett moved into the pocked and let his hands go. Murphy continued to use kicks to keep Emmett on the outside. Murphy began using an oblique kicks. Emmett connected with a right hand. He pressured Murphy but a front kick to the body kept Emmett at distance. Emmett powered forward and looked to get the fight to the ground.
Emmett inched forward as Murphy moved on the outside. Emmett landed a counter right. hand off a leg kick by Murphy. Murphy connected with a clean left hand. Emmett closed the distance with punches and looked for a takedown at the midway mark in the round. Murphy defended the attempt and separated. Murphy landed a left hand that staggered Emmett. Emmett started taunting Murphy out of frustration. Murphy didn’t fall for it and delivered a spinning back kick to the body. He circled away and that’s how the fight ended. MMAWeekly scored the final round 10-9 for Murphy.
The judges scored the fight for Murphy via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.
