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UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy – The Ultimate Preview for April 5, 2025
By [watchwrestling.sbs]
The Octagon returns with another electrifying showdown as UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy descends upon fight fans on April 5, 2025. This highly anticipated event promises fireworks, with a headline clash between two of the featherweight division’s most explosive strikers—Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy.
But this card isn’t just about the main event. Stacked from top to bottom with rising stars, veteran warriors, and must-see matchups, UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling fight nights of the year.
In this exclusive live preview, we’ll break down every key fight, analyze fighter strengths and weaknesses, and predict how the night might unfold. Whether you’re tuning in live or catching up afterward, this is your ultimate guide to all the action.
Main Event Breakdown: Emmett vs. Murphy – A Featherweight War
Josh Emmett (19-4-0) – The Power Puncher
At 39 years old, Josh Emmett is defying age with his relentless power and durability. Known for his devastating right hand, Emmett has turned many fights around with a single punch (just ask Calvin Kattar or Michael Johnson). Despite recent setbacks, Emmett remains a top-10 featherweight with the ability to starch anyone in the division.
Strengths:
- Nuclear right hand – One of the hardest hitters at 145 lbs.
- Granite chin – Rarely gets finished, absorbs punishment and keeps coming.
- Wrestling base – Underrated grappling that he can fall back on.
Weaknesses:
- Slowing reflexes – Age may be catching up; susceptible to faster strikers.
- Cardio concerns – Fades in later rounds if pushed to a high pace.
Lerone Murphy (13-0-1) – The Undefeated Phenom
England’s Lerone “The Miracle” Murphy has been quietly climbing the ranks with an unbeaten record and a well-rounded skill set. A technical striker with sharp counters and slick movement, Murphy has shown he can handle pressure and pick opponents apart. Wins over veterans like Edson Barboza and Dan Ige have solidified him as a legitimate contender.
Strengths:
- Precision striking – Excellent timing and accuracy.
- Elusive footwork – Hard to hit cleanly, frustrates power punchers.
- Composure under fire – Doesn’t panic when pressured.
Weaknesses:
- Untested against elite power – Hasn’t faced many one-shot KO artists like Emmett.
- Can be too patient – Sometimes lets rounds slip by not engaging enough.
Fight Prediction
This is a classic striker vs. striker battle with two contrasting styles.
- Emmett’s path to victory: Land the big right hand early, swarm Murphy before he finds his rhythm.
- Murphy’s path to victory: Use lateral movement, pick Emmett apart with jabs and counters, avoid the bomb.
Our Pick: Murphy by Unanimous Decision (48-47). He’s too slick, too technical, and Emmett’s power may not be enough if Murphy stays disciplined.
Co-Main Event: Heavyweight Clash – Romanov vs. Buday
Alexander Romanov (17-3-0) – The Moldovan Mauler
Romanov is a freakishly strong grappler with a sambo background that makes him a nightmare on the ground. After a rough patch, he’s looking to re-establish himself as a top-15 heavyweight.
Martin Buday (13-2-0) – The Slovakian Striker
Buday is a technical boxer with heavy hands and improving takedown defense. If he keeps it standing, he can outpoint Romanov.
Prediction: Romanov by Submission (Round 2) – If he gets Buday down, it could be a quick night.
Other Must-Watch Fights on the Card
1. Welterweight Showdown: Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Muslim Salikhov
- Ponzinibbio (29-8-0) – The Argentine brawler with heavy hands and heart.
- Salikhov (19-4-0) – The “King of Kung Fu” with flashy kicks and knockout power.
Prediction: Ponzinibbio by TKO (Round 3) – He’s the more active striker.
2. Women’s Strawweight: Tabatha Ricci vs. Loopy Godinez
- Ricci (9-2-0) – A grappling specialist with slick submissions.
- Godinez (12-4-0) – A volume striker with relentless pressure.
Prediction: Godinez by Split Decision – Her pace might be too much.
3. Lightweight Prospect Fight: Terrance McKinney vs. Ľudovít Klein
- McKinney (15-7-0) – A wild, explosive finisher with a kill-or-be-killed style.
- Klein (20-4-1) – A technical striker with underrated grappling.
Prediction: McKinney by KO (Round 1) – If he connects early, it’s over.
How to Watch UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy
- Date: April 5, 2025
- Start Time:
- Early Prelims: 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT
- Prelims: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
- Main Card: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
- Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas (No live audience)
- Broadcast: ESPN+ (US), BT Sport (UK), UFC Fight Pass (International)
Final Thoughts
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Murphy is a sleeper hit with a mix of high-stakes matchups and violent potential. The main event alone is worth the price of admission, but the undercard is packed with action fighters who never disappoint.
Will Emmett prove he’s still elite? Can Murphy continue his unbeaten run? And which prospects will steal the show?
Tune in this Saturday—you won’t want to miss it!
What’s your prediction for Emmett vs. Murphy? Let us know in the comments!
Very good show
I think his Ic run being so long hurt him as a credible world champion. It’s like he fought all the same guys and crushed them for a mid card belt now we are supposed to believe they are an actual challenge to him as a world champion? Lol when they took the intercontinental title off of him they should have moved him to SmackDown and put a new list of challengers in front of him. And moved Cody and the WWE championship to raw
Very good episode,
imagine being deluded enough to think a multi billion dollar company with guys who literally have wrestling in their blood hot shoted a heel turn storyline because they booked themselves into a corner. are you serious dude? that is the most ridiculous thing i have read in a minute lol. good luck bro.
Great episode.
Punk/Cody was there for the taking and Cena could’ve gone up against Gunther.
They knee jerked a heel turn because they booked themselves into a nepotism corner
Very good show
honestly don’t get the hate. like sure, there’s no major story here YET. But Punk/Rollins/Reigns has a lot of potential to be a high quality match. I’m legit looking forward to it and love that these three have wound up in a match together.
Great episode.
The triple threat match between them at Wrestlemania is gonna be awesome. Super stoked for this match
Great show
Let’s mention the women’s match in every live/hate challenge. Easiest task for this group of “journalists” ever. Each one of these love/hates are more embarrassing than the last. We get it, women’s wrestling is amazing and should main event every show and if a women’s match is bad it’s because where it is on the card or the booking it’s never the talent, all the women are top tier wrestlers.
Very good show
You wanna find out who the real simps and shills are? Mark down anybody who defends that main event match! Even the diehard AEW fans are crapping on that main event. It was terrible.
This Moxley stuff is stinking out the entire show and the dude seems to think he is Brock Lesnar.
The sad part is that this wasn’t a terrible show overall and with all things taken into an account. But at the end of the day, a bad ending can ruin a whole show for a lot of people. “Game of Thrones season 8” style.
Great show
So the crux of it all is that the PLE started strong…then ended with a sour belch.
The fans most remember how you left them and the fans are going to remember this show with a resounding “bleh”!
And any casual fan who watched with their buddies who are more diehard fans, may have left the viewing saying aloud, “That guy was pretty good. He should go to WWE”.
Great show.
I’ve said before but I think one of the issues here is that Tony is a massive fan of NJPW and often looks to emulate their PPV card structure. NJPW cards typically build to a climax with the big matches back to back and tend not to feature cool down matches or spots. Problem is western audiences haven’t been conditioned for that over the last 40 years, so often results in burnout. Personally I would have laid out the card like below giving breathing spaces, opening with the Steel Cage match and building to the Hollywood Ending as the main event.
Storm vs. May
Mox vs. Cope
Hangman vs. MJF
Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners
Takeshita vs. Omega
Swerve vs. Ricochet
Okada vs. King
Mone vs. Watanabe
Ospreay vs. Fletcher
Great episode.
Very good show, but the ending is what people remember. WWE ended Elimination Chamber with a huge heel turn. AEW ended Revolution with that abominable ending.
it doesn’t totally undo a great show, but it might have done more harm than good.
Very good show
I can already see Trips the mark statues, Trips the mark with a 20 minutes speech, the camera focusing onTrips the mark every 30 seconds when he is on the crowd.
Great show.
I’m glad they are bringing it back to a nice venue. The idea of hosting it immediately after Smackdown is insane. Why not put a highlight show or broadcast the Hall of Fame instead of airing Smackdown that week.
best of the best
Very good show tonight
clickbait
clickbait
It’s good
Yes
Loving it
Fantastic Article
Raw vs SD
The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw.
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.
I dunno what the Final
I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.
Save yourself time and money a
Save yourself time and money and just say everyone on smackdown will stay on smackdown, everyone on raw will stay on raw. What clown wrote this episode?!
Willow should NOT lose
Willow should NOT lose to Moñe at Double or Nothing.
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni,
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni, but Ngl I would also love her just gal-palling around with Mina for a spell
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW.
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW. I’m kinda down for joshi invasion of all promotions honestly
Danielson is also a 21st century
That line makes me laugh like Danielson is also a 21st century wrestler
I’ve never heard of.
Uhg, some other random wrestler from a promotion I’ve never heard of.
This is going to be a squash match right?
Wait, Anna Jay isn’t in Dark Order?
not even the security guard
not even the security guard with the hogan beard is dragging me out of daily’s rn
Kurt V Bret V Perfect
Three other Ospreay dream matches
V Kurt V Bret V Perfect
I have never seen mina before.
I have never seen mina before…. But from the entrance alone i am a fan
I’ve ever seen. Good lord
Anna Jay one of the finest women I’ve ever seen. Good lord
May gets all the ladies.
May gets all the ladies.
Daily’s Place just feels right
Anna Jay match in Daily’s Place just feels right
Is Mina’s theme
Is Mina’s theme a rip of Danza Kaduro? 🕺🏻
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring,
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring, and her character work. I just wish she didn’t scream so much- every single move.
Was late tuning in tonight,
Was late tuning in tonight, went and watched the women’s title match, Tatum showed up and showed tf out. Sad she didn’t win but the sky’s the limit
Jensen getting back together
first step to Briggs and Jensen getting back together
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up,
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up, she’s not really in any important angles in NXT.
John Cena style
Jasmyn has that chiseled chin. John Cena style
“Thank you, Trish Jacey”
Jacey Jayne wants Thea to say “Thank you, Trish Jacey”
What a woman
Her weave fallen off and her not skipping a beat. What a woman. I’m all in on jaida parker
Jaida to get her feet
This OTM side quest was good for Jaida to get her feet wet but her ceiling is sooo much higher than Lucien, Bronco & SCRYPTS
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship.
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship. Besides being an awkward mouthful, it’s too derivative of Men’s midcard title.
Gratitude is not an option
“Gratitude is not an option but a debt that you will repay to me” lmao damn Jacy sounds so badass and ominous 😭
She’s got a really bright future.
Jaida’s only been doing this for a year and a half. She’s got a really bright future.
I love the implied narrative that
I love the implied narrative that it’s Nattie who is singlehandedly selling out a WWE tour of Europe
All these talks about call-ups,
All these talks about call-ups, I feel Jacy Jayne is more overdue than most. One of the best character workers around.
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week for a while now but it hasn’t really gotten her anywhere lol
Booker’s about to faint during
Booker’s about to faint during the sexiest contract signing of all time.
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING PART IN THE NXT SHOP COMMERCIAL AND MAKE IT A MEME
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done on her face right? She had some weird angles to it when the camera followed her walking
Any recognise the photographer
Any recognise the photographer in the Baron/Lexis segment?