Nothing screams UFC in 2025 like two international pit stops in London and Mexico City before a return to the lifeless Las Vegas APEX Facility for UFC Vegas 105. Enjoy the escapes when they happen, folks.
This weekend's evening of action centers around the featherweight division, with perennial contender Josh Emmett looking to inch his way closer to a first career title shot. Standing in his way will be the undefeated rising Brit, Lerone Murphy.
With the 145-pound division wide open after the now-former champion Ilia Topuria vacated his crown to move to lightweight, every contender's chances of battling for gold instantly improved. The co-main event will be more of a prospect battle within the division when Joanderson Brito looks to earn a statement win over Pat Sabatini.
UFC Vegas 105 overall is somewhat backward in its organization. The preliminary portion features several familiar faces who have been around for a hot minute, therefore the card is bottom-heavy. You don't see that very often, but that's just fine and dandy. Let's make our weekly picks, shall we?
Betting odds courtesy of BetMGM.
145 pounds: Josh Emmett (+260) vs. Lerone Murphy (-325)
I don't have any real explanation for it, but Emmett just doesn't seem like he's 40 years old. Maybe it's because he's still one of the best featherweights on the planet, capable of breaking anyone's jaw in the blink of an eye while also being stupendously durable, suffering only one knockout loss in 23 fights.
Father time catches up to everyone at some point, though.
Emmett is one of those super-talented wrestlers out of Team Alpha Male who fell in love with his knockout power. However, it hasn't been a negative, as he has that death touch similar (but not equal) to a prime Johny Hendricks at welterweight. If you were around for the Hendricks days as UFC champion, you know how high of praise that is.
Topics in this Story
