Lerone Murphy sets target on Brian Ortega to secure title shot after impressive UFC Vegas 105 performance

Lerone Murphy remained undefeated after defeating Josh Emmett at UFC Vegas 105, showcasing satisfaction with his performance. After the win, Murphy expressed excitement and aimed high by calling out top contenders. He is seeking a major opponent after his win. The main event victory solidified Murphy’s rising status, and he’s now hungry for greater challenges against elite names in the division.

Murphy edged out Emmett in a thrilling back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. After five hard-fought rounds, Murphy earned a unanimous decision victory. Following the win, he expressed interest in facing Brian Ortega next. He stated his desire to prove himself against a top contender and earn a shot at UFC gold.

As of April, Ortega holds the No. 4 spot in the UFC featherweight rankings. He submitted Yair Rodriguez in a stunning comeback win in February 2024, but later suffered a dominant decision loss to Diego Lopes at UFC 306. Despite the setback, Ortega remains a top contender with elite grappling and proven toughness.

"I'll finish him": Lerone Murphy calls out Brian Ortega after his "masterclass" over Josh Emmett at #UFCVegas105 pic.twitter.com/E0NWitvk2N

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 6, 2025

‘T City’ is well known for his wrestling and submissions, having earned respect as a dangerous and skilled featherweight contender. He came extremely close to winning the title, proving he belongs among the elite in the UFC featherweight division. However, recent losses have impacted his momentum, raising questions about his current standing in the title picture.

Currently, he is not booked for a fight, and could potentially fight in the next few months. For the UFC, it could be a great opportunity to hold this fight, given the winning streak behind Murphy. For now, the ‘Miracle’ is happy with his performance against a dominant fighter.

Lerone Murphy reviews his fight against Josh Emmet 

In the early rounds, Josh Emmett landed more shots, but Murphy’s sharp elbows opened a cut, and he defended a takedown effectively. Round two saw Emmett score a takedown, but Murphy stood up, landed kicks, and controlled distance with precision and calm. By round three, Murphy’s leg kicks slowed Emmett down, who managed a takedown, but couldn’t keep Murphy grounded for long.

In the later rounds, Emmett pressed forward to finish, but Murphy’s leg kicks disrupted his rhythm and stopped any real momentum. Going into the fight, CC0 promised to showcase his power but clearly got frustrated after not landing it. Following the bout, the UK native shared his experience in fighting against Emmet in the pockets.

While Murphy was satisfied with the win, the fans weren’t happy at all with his performance and booed him. They accused the fighter of backing out and running around the octagon instead of participating in exchanges. However, Murphy doesn’t seem to worry about all that and is looking forward to his next goal.

Is Lerone Murphy the next Leon Edwards?

Lerone Murphy is showing signs he could be the next Leon Edwards, especially with his calm, technical striking and undefeated record. Like Edwards, Murphy has flown under the radar despite consistent performances and steady growth in the UFC. Both fighters possess sharp counterstriking, solid takedown defense, and a counter-striking style that breaks down opponents over time. 

Murphy’s recent win over Josh Emmett proves he can hang with elite competition. If he continues evolving and stacking up wins, he could follow Edwards’ path—quietly rising through the ranks before seizing a title shot and potentially becoming the next UK UFC champion.

Related: Leon Edwards Net Worth, Endorsements, UFC contract, Wife, and House

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