Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria face off this Saturday

On June 24, a highly anticipated featherweight MMA bout between Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria takes place at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, USA. Both fighters have impressive records and were looking to make their mark in the division. The main card will broadcast live on ABC and ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET.

Josh Emmett

Josh Emmett, an American featherweight fighter, has been a professional MMA fighter for 11 years. Born on March 4, 1985, in the United States and residing in Sacramento, California, Emmett is known for his powerful striking and explosive style. In his last fight on February 11, 2023, he faced Yair Rodriguez and unfortunately lost by submission due to a triangle choke.

Ilia Topuria

On the other hand, Ilia Topuria, a Spanish fighter of Georgian descent, is undefeated in his professional MMA career, with a record of 13-0. He is the No. 9-ranked contender in the featherweight division. Born on January 21, 1997, in Halle, Westfalen, Germany, and residing in Alicante, Spain, Topuria has been a professional MMA fighter for eight years. In his previous fight on December 10, 2022, he faced Bryce Mitchell and emerged victorious with a submission win via arm triangle choke.

A win by Topuria could potentially lead to a title shot against the winner of Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez.

Emmett vs. Topuria Preview

This fight marks a significant milestone for Ilia Topuria, as it is his first main event. He had previously stated his intention to move up to lightweight, but ultimately decided to fight at featherweight, his natural weight class. A win against Josh Emmett could potentially propel him towards a title shot against the winner of the bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez, the current division champions.

Josh Emmett enters the fight as the fifth-ranked featherweight contender in the UFC. Known for his striking and explosive power, Emmett poses a formidable challenge for Topuria. However, the Spanish fighter is confident in his abilities and believes he could control the fight by taking it to the ground.

Emmett is determined to put on an entertaining show for the Jacksonville crowd. He has never been in a boring fight and promised to bring bad intentions with every strike. Despite the loss in his previous fight at UFC 284, Emmett had a history of exciting performances and is eager to get back to winning ways.

Both fighters are well-prepared. Emmett, representing Team Alpha Male, has been training out of Sacramento, California, while Topuria has been honing his skills in Spain.

Although Topuria is undefeated and considered a rising star in the division, Emmett sees the matchup as favorable for him. He believes that his style and physicality match well against Topuria's and is confident in his ability to secure a victory. Standing at 5'6", Emmett is relieved to face an opponent who isn’t significantly taller than him, unlike some of his previous opponents.

The fight between Emmett and Topuria was originally scheduled for June 17 but was moved back a week. This adjustment allows both fighters more time to prepare and ensured that Topuria would have his first five-round UFC fight.

Josh Emmett presents a compelling case to bet on in his upcoming featherweight bout against Ilia Topuria. Despite a recent loss, Emmett's powerful striking and explosive style make him a formidable challenge for his opponent. Additionally, Emmett's confidence, determination to entertain the crowd, and favorable matchup against Topuria give him an edge worth considering when placing your bet.

Odds at BetAnySports:

Josh Emmet Money Line +230

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