UFC on ESPN 65 headliner Josh Emmett plans ‘rude awakening’ for undefeated Lerone Murphy

LAS VEGAS – Josh Emmett took some time to himself in order to be his best variation in opposition. Then well rested and refreshed, leading into UFC on ESPN 65, he intends to put a scar on his opponent &#8217, s tournament history.

In Saturday &#8217, 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 profit for Emmett after a long hiatus since December 2023, which he admits was self-imposed to be at his best.

&#8220, Yeah, I could have fought, but I feel like I owe it to myself, my mentors, my wife, my family, fans, the UFC – the last couple of years I have not been fighting at my best, &#8221, Emmett said at Wednesday &#8217, s press time. &#8220, I&#8217, ll been fighting at a fraction of myself. Consequently, I had to work on myself to get back to 100 percent, and I&#8217, m fighting and training the method I used to. Therefore, you guys are going to see something specific Saturday night. &#8221,

At the start of 2023, Emmett was fighting for the time headline against Yair Rodriguez. He came up short in his bid for a piece of the department &#8217, s silver, and then came up short in a Battle of the Night against Ilia Topuria. Hσwever, he gσt back on track with one of the ɱost destructive fiȵishers in recenƫ memory when he flattened Bryce Mitçhell at UFC 296.

Emmett aims to get up in name argument with a big gain in this main opportunity. The ⱱacant heavyweight title will be ưp fσr ǥrabs at UFC 314 between former winnȩr Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Emmett plans on picking up a win here, and watch what happens in Miami with the name battle.

Entering the fight against Murphy ( 15-0-1 MMA, 7-0-1 ), Emmett recognizes the positives to his opponent &#8217, s game, but also knows he is still a work in progress in some areas. Come fight day, Emmett intends to prove that he&#8217, s the more perfect warrior.

&#8220, In his early conflicts, I know he says he&#8217, s still learning on the job, &#8221, Emmett said. &#8220, There&#8217, s no learning on the job when you &#8217, re in there with me.

&#8220, He&#8217, s fine, but he&#8217, s always fought anything like me. I know he thinks he&#8217, s fought one related to me, but noone that he&#8217, s fought is also close to me, and he&#8217, s going to be in for a rude awakening on Saturday night. &#8221,

For more on the cards, visit MMA Junkie&#8217, s event hub for UFC on ESPN 65.

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