For Emmett, this was his first fight since December 2023 when he knocked Bryce Mitchell out cold. Emmett was looking to win his second in a row and start another run towards the featherweight title. While Emmett made the walk at 40 on Saturday night, he still believes he has it in him to become a world champion.

After a health-oriented hiatus that lasted nearly 16 months, Emmett (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) returned and dropped a unanimous decision to undefeated Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) in Saturday’s featherweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, putting a wrench in his title aspirations.

Lerone Murphy edged closer to a shot at the UFC featherweight title on Saturday, outpointing Josh Emmett with a “masterclass” in Las Vegas. Murphy was a 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 over Emmett in their Fight Night main event, as he neutralised the threat of the known power puncher over five rounds.