Josh Emmett is set to make his UFC comeback with a main-event fight with Lerone Murphy in the UFC.
The pair will clash at UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Murphy on April 6, which a potential shot at Ilia Topuria’s Featherweight title up for grabs.
Josh Emmett is coming off a 16-month break since his last fight. That saw Emmett knock out Bryce Mitchell in the first round in the UFC 296 match in December 2023.
While this extended break could leave him rusty in the octagon, Lerone Murphy will be worried about the reasoning behind one of the UFC’s biggest punchers time away.
Josh Emmett was fighting at ‘fraction of myself’ before his break from fighting
Emmett hasn’t fought since 2023 due to a period away from the octagon. He admits that this is because he wasn’t fighting at 100%, so his extended recovery period to get back to top condition is something Murphy will be wary of.
The featherweight fighter spoke at the UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Murphy media day live stream and said:
“I could have fought, but I feel like I owe it to myself, my coaches, my wife, my family, my fans, and the UFC. The last handful of years, I’ve not been fighting at my best.
“I’ve been fighting at a fraction of myself. So I had to work on myself and get back to 100 percent, and now I’m fighting and training the way I used to. You guys are gonna see something special Saturday night.
“I know what 100 percent feels like, and I know what 30 percent feels like. Which is how I’ve been fighting the last few years against the best guys in the world.
“And yeah, there are fights I definitely want back. But the first thing is, I’ve got to get through Lerone Murphy.”
Emmett currently sports a record of 19 wins and 4 losses in the UFC. Is that is him at 30% then his opponent will have to be worried at what he can do at 100%.
Lerone Murphy wants a title shot by winning his match against Josh Emmett
While he has to be wary about the rested Emmett, Murphy is confident in his own ability in the fight.
Speaking with talkSPORT, he admitted that he needs to win this fight to earn a title shot. If Murphy keeps his undefeated streak alive, he could mimic Topuria and become the Featherweight champion.
“But obviously we know with a win, I’ll be asking for a title shot for sure.
“Ilia Topuria done it and I’ll be 16-0. So I feel like if I go out there and put on a good, solid performance and look championship-worthy, then I think the UFC will give it to me.”
“The Miracle” is currently undefeated in the UFC, winning 15 and drawing 1 of his 16 fights. With 7 wins on the bounce, he will be feeling good in his match with Emmett on April 6.
