Who Will Lerone Murphy Fight Next After UFC Vegas 105 Win Against Josh Emmett?

Lerone Murphy extended his unbeaten record to 16-0-1 with a unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Vegas 105. The British featherweight showcased his technical prowess, using precise footwork and boxing to neutralize Emmett’s aggressive style. Despite Emmett’s relentless pressure and occasional success with takedowns, Murphy controlled the striking exchanges, landing a higher volume of strikes and avoiding significant damage. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47 in Murphy’s favor.

STILL UNDEFEATED 😤@LeroneMurphy is now 16-0 in his professional career after #UFCVegas105 pic.twitter.com/SaHDS6qX7f

— UFC (@ufc) April 6, 2025

Murphy’s performance was calculated, prioritizing safety against Emmett’s one-punch knockout power. While the fight lacked fireworks, Murphy’s strategic approach paid dividends, further solidifying his case for a shot at the division’s elite. With this win, Murphy tied Movsar Evloev for the longest active winning streak in the featherweight division at eight fights. Post-fight, Murphy expressed his desire to face top-five opponents and hinted at a return in July.

As Murphy climbs closer to title contention, here are three potential matchups against top-10 featherweight contenders:

Movsar Evloev (#4)

A clash between Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev would be a battle of undefeated rising stars. Both fighters share an eight-fight UFC win streak, making this matchup compelling for fans and analysts alike. Evloev is known for his grappling-heavy style and relentless pace, which could test Murphy’s takedown defense and ability to adapt under pressure. This fight would serve as a litmus test for Murphy’s readiness to compete against elite featherweights with diverse skill sets. Given their ranking proximity and shared momentum, this matchup could headline a Fight Night or serve as a co-main event on a pay-per-view card.

Arnold Allen (#7)

Arnold Allen presents an intriguing stylistic matchup for Murphy. Allen is coming off a win against Giga Chikadze and has consistently demonstrated high-level striking and grappling skills. A fight between Allen and Murphy would likely be contested on the feet, showcasing technical striking exchanges that fans of pure stand-up battles would enjoy. Additionally, both fighters hail from England, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup as it could headline a UK-based UFC event. Allen’s experience against elite competition would provide a significant challenge for Murphy as he seeks to prove he belongs among the division’s best.

Yair Rodríguez (#5)

A bout against Yair Rodríguez would catapult Murphy into the upper echelon of the featherweight division. Rodríguez is known for his flashy striking and unpredictable attacks, which could force Murphy to adapt his calculated approach to deal with unorthodox techniques. This fight would be a stylistic contrast—Murphy’s disciplined boxing versus Rodríguez’s dynamic creativity—and could produce fireworks inside the octagon. Rodríguez’s recent loss to Brian Ortega means he might be looking for redemption against another rising contender like Murphy. A victory here could cement Murphy’s status as a legitimate title challenger.

Murphy’s victory over Emmett has positioned him as one of the most promising contenders in the featherweight division. With his sights set on top-five opponents and title contention, any of these matchups would offer him an opportunity to further establish himself as a serious threat in one of the UFC’s most competitive weight classes.