The Miracle Improves His Record to 16-0
As UFC 314 approaches, the UFC makes a quick stop to the Apex for UFC Fight Night: Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy. This featherweight matchup could have huge implications for the next title contender in a division that doesn’t have a champion at the moment. After a 14-month layoff, Emmett looks to remind the world why he is one of the hardest-hitting fighters we have ever seen. Lerone Murphy looks to put his stamp on an impressive 15-0-1 record with a decisive win over a former title challenger. I will break down the entire main event and what should be next in store for each fighter moving forward.
The Englishman came out circling around as Emmett tried to walk him down. Emmett is getting countered when he tries to enter in range. Big shots land for the 40-year-old as he gets Murphy against the cage. Murphy cut Emmett with a nasty elbow that cut his forehead wide open. It ended up being a clash of heads in the replay that was the result of the massive cut. Lerone is doing a good job chipping away at Emmett’s legs and staying away from the right hand to end round one. Round two opens up with Josh going forward and being more aggressive, and body slamming him into the canvas. Murphy was able to use a ninja choke to get back to his feet and land a damaging spinning backkick to the body. Lerone is using his footwork and faints to slow Emmett’s forward pressure. I think after round two, it’s two rounds in the books for Murphy. Emmett is loading up, trying to find Lerone’s chin as Murphy is keeping the distance with side kicks to the leg. A Heavy body kick by the undefeated fighter doubled Emmett over.
The main event rounds begin with Murphy landing a devastating calf kick. Josh is starting to land more, but he is getting picked apart as he can’t get in range with all the leg kicks coming his way. Any time Josh finds a rhythm, Murphy is backing him away with body and calf kicks. Going into the final round, Emmett needs a finish, most likely. Starting round five, Josh is continuing to walk Lerone down, but to no success. A huge left hand down the middle lands for Murphy. A couple of big shots land for Emmett, but he immediately tries to take him down instead of pouring it on. With a minute left, Josh got caught with a left hand that wobbled him. Josh looked overly frustrated as he wanted to stand and bang while Murphy was continuing to flow out of the way and stick and move. We go to the judge's scorecards for the decision. Lerone “the miracle” Murphy gets the unanimous decision victory to remain undefeated.
Lerone Murphy put on a tactical striking performance against the heavy-hitting Emmett. He didn’t do much to solidify himself as someone deserving of a title shot just yet. I think in his next fight it should be a battle of the undefeated featherweights. Between himself and Movsar Evloev. Josh Emmett wasn’t as aggressive as he needed to be in this fight. He had chances with Murphy against the fence and chose to grapple instead of raining down combinations. At 40 years old and coming off an injury and now a loss, I am not sure if he is going to hang it up or not. If he doesn’t, a rematch with Dan Ige could be exciting for both athletes. We will see what Dana White and the rest of his staff decide to do with both fighters moving forward.
