Josh Emmett plans ‘rude awakening’ for Lerone Murphy

LAS VEGAS – Josh Emmett took some time to himself in order to be his best version in competition. Now well rested and refreshed, leading into UFC on ESPN 65, he intends to put a blemish on his opponent’s undefeated record.

In Saturday’s featherweight main event at the UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+), Emmett (19-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) takes on Lerone Murphy, who has not experienced defeat in his professional career. It will be a return for Emmett after a lengthy hiatus since December 2023, which he admits was self-imposed to be at his best.

“Yeah, I could have fought, but I feel like I owe it to myself, my coaches, my wife, my family, fans, the UFC – the last handful of years I have not been fighting at my best,” Emmett said at Wednesday’s media day. “I’ve been fighting at a fraction of myself. So, I had to work on myself to get back to 100 percent, and I’m fighting and training the way I used to. So, you guys are going to see something special Saturday night.”

At the start of 2023, Emmett was fighting for the interim title against Yair Rodriguez. He came up short in his bid for a piece of the division’s gold, and then came up short in a Fight of the Night against Ilia Topuria. However, he got back on track with one of the most devastating knockouts in recent memory when he flattened Bryce Mitchell at UFC 296.

Emmett aims to get back in title contention with a big win in this headlining opportunity. The vacant featherweight title will be up for grabs at UFC 314 between former champ Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Emmett plans on picking up a win here, and watch what happens in Miami with the title fight.

Entering the fight against Murphy (15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1), Emmett recognizes the positives to his opponent’s game, but also knows he is still a work in progress in some areas. Come fight night, Emmett intends to prove that he’s the more complete fighter.

“In his later fights, I know he says he’s still learning on the job,” Emmett said. “There’s no learning on the job when you’re in there with me.

“He’s good, but he’s never fought anybody like me. I know he thinks he’s fought someone similar to me, but noone that he’s fought is even close to me, and he’s going to be in for a rude awakening on Saturday night.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 65.