UFC Vegas 105 Predictions
After a brief hiatus, fight night returns to the cozy confines of the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, and UFC Vegas 105 is shaping up to be a sleeper hit. With a headlining showdown between two heavy-handed featherweights and rising contenders ready to make noise, it’s the kind of card that promises chaos, heartbreak, and a few surprises. Let’s dive into the matchups that will keep hardcore fans glued to the screenand maybe even shake up the rankings.
Main Event: Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy
The spotlight falls squarely on Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy, a clash of styles and trajectories at 145 pounds. Emmett may be getting long in the tooth at 39, but anyone who’s seen his overhand right detonate on skulls knows he’s dangerous from bell to bell. After absorbing a punishing loss to Ilia Topuria, Emmett bounced back with a 2023 Knockout of the Year candidate when he folded Bryce Mitchell in December. He still swings like a hammer and defends like a lion.
On the other side of the Octagon is undefeated Brit Lerone Murphy, a talented striker who’s flown under many radarsuntil now. Sitting at 13-0-1, “The Miracle” has been sharp in every outing, even if his level of competition hasn’t always turned heads. His biggest strength? Movement. Murphy’s elusive footwork and slick counters could pose serious problems for the more stationary Emmett.
Prediction: It’s a true vet vs. surging prospect matchup, but Emmett’s experience, power, and wrestling could be enough to slow the Murphy trainif he can cut off the cage. However, if Murphy dishes out volume and avoids the kill shot, this upset might be in the cards.
Pick: Lerone Murphy via Split Decision
Co-Main Event: Vicente Luque vs. Joaquin Buckley
If casuals snooze through the main event buildup, they’ll be wide-eyed for this co-main barnburner. Vicente Luque returns after a gritty win over Rafael dos Anjos last August, showing flashes of his old killer instinct. But “The Silent Assassin” hasn’t looked the same since Geoff Neal dismantled him in 2022.
Joaquin Buckley, however, enters the welterweight mix like a Wrecking Ball on a treadmill. Since dropping down to 170 pounds, he’s been fast, violent, and dangerous, most recently finishing veteran Alex Morono inside two rounds. His athleticism is eye-popping, and his power translates frighteningly well in this division.
Luque is still slickand more technicalbut he’s hittable and sometimes too willing to engage in wars. Against a knockout artist like Buckley, that spells danger.
Pick: Joaquin Buckley via 2nd Round TKO
Other Main Card Predictions
Trevor Peek vs. Charlie Campbell
Trevor Peek is chaos incarnate. This man throws like he’s trying to punch the moon. But his style often leaves him open to takedowns and counters. Charlie Campbell isn’t as wild, but he’s more calculated and technical, especially in the pocket.
If Peek can’t find an early finish, Campbell’s composure may win him the later rounds.
Pick: Charlie Campbell via Unanimous Decision
Luana Carolina vs. Julija Stoliarenko
This women’s flyweight contest pits Luana Carolina’s rangy striking and Muay Thai clinch work against the armbar-hunting Julija Stoliarenko. It’s a style contrast, and one we’ve seen many times before. If Carolina can keep it standing, she’s likely winning on volume. But one trip to the mat, and Julija will be pulling limbs like she’s auditioning for a Saw sequel.
Pick: Julija Stoliarenko via 1st Round Submission
Prelim Notables to Watch
- Robelis Despaigne – Heavyweight prospect with absurd finishing power. Blink and you might miss it. Literally.
- Angela Hill vs. Luana Pinheiro – A crossroads fight. Hill is the gatekeeper with cardio for days, Pinheiro has youth and judo in her corner. Classic striker vs. grappler chess match.
- Heili Alateng vs. Brady Hiestand – Sleeper pick for Fight of the Night. Fast scrambles, sharp boxingdon’t miss it.
Final Thoughts
UFC Vegas 105 is a deceptively stacked appetizer before the springtime pay-per-view banquet, and these types of cards often deliver fireworks precisely because of the hungry fighters craving center-stage recognition. Between Emmett’s war-hardened fists, Murphy’s undefeated mystique, and a co-main that could be up for Performance of the Night honors, the APEX is about to echo with leather and carnage once more.
As always, this is MMAyou could script the logic, and the Octagon will still throw a curveball. But that’s what makes weekends like this irresistible. Buckle up.
All predictions subject to change depending on weigh-ins, last-minute cancellations, and the eternal unpredictability of combat sports.
