At UFC Vegas 105, fans were treated to everything we’ve come to love—and maybe not love so much—about fights at the Apex. Unbeaten fighters kept their records intact, there were surprises in the form of upsets, and the scoring? Well, it sparked debate as always. Opening the main card, Torrez Finney delivered an unremarkable performance, but Lerone Murphy wrapped it up with a stellar victory. Let’s take a closer look at what lies ahead for them and their fellow competitors.
Lerone Murphy
"The Miracle" Murphy extended his winning streak with a unanimous decision over Josh Emmett, yet the fight wasn’t exactly the kind that will be etched in fans’ memories. Although Murphy maintains an unbeaten streak and has clinched eight wins in a row, he’s still hunting for a signature moment. It’s akin to what we’ve seen from Belal Muhammad and Leon Edwards—constant wins that could eventually carve out an undeniable spot for him. However, the UFC seems in no rush to push him forward. Remember how Beneil Dariush had an 8-fight streak before getting Oliveria? Murphy could be in a similar scenario.
Murphy has called out Brian Ortega, though Ortega’s future in the featherweight class is uncertain. Could he climb to lightweight? Until we get more insight, pairing them up seems premature. Instead, a bout between Murphy and his fellow countryman Arnold Allen seems fitting. Allen, sitting at #7, recently bested Giga Chikadze. It’s a match that makes sense and could shine at a UK event or a Pay-Per-View card.
Next for Murphy: Arnold Allen
Pat Sabatini
Stepping into the octagon, Sabatini dominated Joanderson Brito, the 2-to-1 favorite, across all three rounds. This marked his first back-to-back win since the impressive 4-0 streak at the start of his UFC journey. Although he faltered against Damon Jackson and Diego Lopes, his record stands strong at 7-2 in the UFC.
Before he faces a ranked opponent, Sabatini needs to prove his mettle against those in his current tier with solid records. Opponents like Gabriel Santos, Hyder Amil, and Muhammad Naimov come to mind, but my pick? Melquizael Costa. Costa’s recent performance was impressive, and he’s riding a decent streak of his own.
Next for Sabatini: Melquizael Costa
Chang Ho Lee
Coming off a tough split decision in June’s Road to the UFC, Lee bounced back with a second-round finish, earning a performance bonus. This showing was a thriller from the 30-year-old fighter.
Gaston Bolaños and Serhiy Sidey would both offer thrilling contests, though they’re currently booked. I’m leaning towards Sidey for an exciting match-up. Another option? If Cam Smotherman wins in Des Moines, he could be in line to face Lee.
Next for Lee: Smotherman/Sidey winner
Brad Tavares
It’s surprising that Tavares and Gerald Meerschaert hadn’t clashed until now at UFC Vegas 105. Both are long-serving veterans and seem destined to share the cage. Tavares secured a unanimous decision win by stopping all eight of Meerschaert’s takedown attempts. Though victorious, it doesn’t necessarily boost him up the ranks. Rather, Tavares remains a gatekeeper, a litmus test for upcoming talents. Cesar Almeida, making waves in the middleweight pool, could be the right test. The Brazilian has shown resilience after his June loss to Roman Kopylov.
Next for Tavares: Cesar Almeida
Ode’ Osbourne
Saved from potentially being released, Osbourne knocked out undefeated Luis Gurule in the second round, picking up a performance bonus as well. Like Tavares, this victory doesn’t shift his standing much in the division. While battling the likes of Lone’er Kavanagh, Rafael Estevam, or Andre Lima could work, maybe it’s time Osbourne takes a break from fighting fresh faces. Later this month, Matt Schnell and Jimmy Flick will face off in Kansas City. Both bring the intensity and would be explosive match-ups for Osbourne.
Next for Osbourne: Schnell/Flick winner
Torrez Finney
By the chatter online, you’d think Finney was the main headline at UFC Vegas 105. Known for winning three times on the Contender Series, his fight was marred by controversial scorecards. Despite landing eight takedowns, he managed only four significant strikes. This imbalance led judge Tony Weeks to score the fight 30-27 for Robert Valentin, despite the numbers. Finney, at 26, has room for growth and improvement. At this stage, he needs opponents he can handle with ease. José Medina and Antonio Trocoli come to mind as suitable next steps on his path to refining his skills.
Next for Finney: José Medina
