Josh Emmett plans a “rude awakening” for Lerown Murphy

Las Vegas – Josh Emmett spent a bit of time on himself to become his best version of the competition. He leads to the UFC on ESPN 65, resting well and refreshing, and he intends to hurt his opponent’s undefeated record.

In Saturday’s featherweight main event at UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+), Emmett (19-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will face Lerone Murphy, who has not experienced a loss in his professional career. After a long break since December 2023, it becomes Emmett’s return after admitting that he was self-imposed as at his best.

“Yeah, I might have fought, but I feel like I owe it to myself, my coach, my wife, my family, my fans, the UFC. “I’ve been fighting for just a small part of myself, so I had to work on myself to get back to 100%. I fought and trained like I used to.

At the beginning of 2023, Emmett was fighting for the interim title against Yaa Rodriguez. He was shortened in his bid for a portion of the department’s money, then shortened in the night battle with Ilia Toplia. However, he got back on track with one of the most devastating knockouts in recent memory when he flattened Blythe Mitchell at UFC 296.

Emmett aims to return to title competition with a big win on this headline opportunity. The vacant featherweight title will win a grab at UFC 314 between former champions Alexander Volkanovsky and Diego Lopez. Emmett is set to win here and is watching what happens in the title fight in Miami.

Participating in the fight against Murphy (15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1), Emmett recognizes his positivity towards his opponent’s game, but he also knows he is still ongoing work in several areas. Come on the night of the fight, Emmett intends to prove he is a more complete fighter.

“I know he says in the fight after him that he’s still learning at work,” Emmett said. “When you are with me, you don’t learn about work.

“He’s good, but he’s never fought anyone like me. I know he thinks he’s fought someone like me, but even close to me that he’s fought, he’s going to take part in a rude awakening on Saturday night.”

For more information about the card, see the MMA Junkie event hub for UFC on ESPN 65.