Josh Emmett is preparing for his UFC comeback in a main event fight against Lerone Murphy.
They are scheduled to face off at UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Murphy on April 6th, with a potential shot at Ilia Topuria’s Featherweight title possibly on the line for the winner.
Emmett has been out of action for 16 months since his last fight, where he achieved a first-round knockout victory against Bryce Mitchell at UFC 296 in December 2023.
While such a long break might make some fighters lose their edge, Lerone Murphy may be more concerned about the reasons behind Emmett`s time away, especially considering Emmett is known as a powerful puncher in the UFC.
Josh Emmett Admits He Was Fighting Below His Best Before the Break
Emmett explained that his absence since 2023 was due to him not performing at his peak. He stated that he needed this extended period to recover and return to his best condition, which is something Murphy should take seriously.
Speaking at the UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Murphy media day live stream, Emmett said:
“I could have fought sooner, but I felt it was necessary for myself, my coaches, my wife, my family, my fans, and the UFC. For the past few years, I haven’t been fighting at my full potential.”
“I’ve been fighting at a fraction of myself. So, I needed to focus on myself and get back to 100 percent. Now, I’m training and fighting like I used to. You’re going to witness something special on Saturday night.”
“I know the difference between feeling 100 percent and 30 percent, which is how I’ve been performing in recent years against top-level opponents.”
“Yes, there are fights I wish I could redo. But right now, my focus is on getting past Lerone Murphy first.”
Emmett’s current record stands at 19 wins and 4 losses in the UFC. If he claims he was performing at only 30%, his opponents should be worried about what he can achieve at full strength.
Lerone Murphy Aims for Title Shot with Victory Over Josh Emmett
While acknowledging the threat of a well-rested Emmett, Murphy is confident in his own abilities for the upcoming fight.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Murphy emphasized the importance of winning this fight to secure a title shot. He believes that maintaining his undefeated record could put him in a similar position to Ilia Topuria, potentially becoming the Featherweight champion.
“Obviously, with a win here, I will definitely be asking for a title shot for sure,” Murphy stated.
“Ilia Topuria achieved it, and I’ll be 16-0. So, if I go out there, deliver a strong performance, and show championship caliber, I believe the UFC will grant me the opportunity.”
“The Miracle,” Murphy`s nickname, is currently undefeated in his UFC career, with 15 wins and 1 draw in 16 fights. Riding a 7-fight win streak, he is expected to be confident when he faces Emmett on April 6.
