Calvin Kattar vs. Josh Emmett Prediction: Should We Count on Calvin Kattar?

Calvin Kattar vs. Josh Emmett Prediction: Should We Count on Calvin Kattar?

The UFC is back in the United States after an action-packed card in Singapore where Jiri Prochazka took the light heavyweight belt. UFC on ESPN 37 will take place from Austin, Texas, and is a surprisingly packed card for a non-PPV event.

The main event for this fight night pits featherweights Calvin Kattar and Josh Emmett in a pivotal bout for both men's careers. Calvin Kattar could be one fight away from a title shot with a win, and a win for Josh Emmett would be a much-needed win against a high-ranked opponent. So who will get it done in this high-ranked featherweight main event?

UFC Fight Night Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

Date: June 18, 2022

Time: Prelims 4:00 pm ET, Main 7:00 pm ET

Where To Watch: ESPN, ESPN+

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Calvin Kattar vs Josh Emmett Prediction

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Calvin Kattar is entering his prime, in my opinion. He joined the UFC back in 2017 and is 7-3 over his ten fights in the promotion. However, his last fight was easily his most impressive outing. Kattar entered his fight with Giga Chikadze as a +185 underdog but did not appear as an underdog at all. He out-struck Chikadze, knocked him down, landed two takedowns, and had 3:42 minutes of control time. He looked excellent against a top-five opponent. Now, he is ranked fourth and is up against hard-hitting, seventh-ranked Josh Emmett.

Josh Emmett might appear as if he's past his prime, but the 37-year-old is quietly 4-0 over his last four fights. Most recently, Emmett took a decisive win against Dan Ige, winning by unanimous decision back in December. Emmett's schedule of opponents hasn't been as tough as Kattar's, but Emmett is 8-2 in the UFC, with his only two losses being to Jeremy Stephens and Desmond Green.

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I fully expect Kattar to take damage in this fight and likely lose the first or maybe the second round. Josh Emmett is mostly successful due to his power more than his accuracy or volume. Emmett has at least one knockdown in every one of his last seven fights. Emmett is a stronger starter who begins to fade as the fight progresses, and this is a five-round fight, whereas Emmett has yet to see a fourth round in the UFC. He did have one scheduled five-round fight against Jeremy Stephens, but the championship rounds were not needed after Emmett was knocked out in the second round.

That is the only time Emmett has been finished in his professional career. Emmett is durable, but Kattar will have a massive edge in the cardio aspect of this bout. Kattar is very comfortable going 25 minutes at this point, considering he has done so in all of his last three fights.

Before the win over Chikadze, this fight would be a lot closer in my eyes. However, the performance over Chikadze was a monumental stepping stone for Kattar and did not seem like a fluke. I think Kattar is entering or is currently at the peak of his career. I like Kattar to win this fight, but to knock down the juice we eat on this line, I am backing him by decision.

Emmett has proven to be durable, and Kattar has gone 25 minutes in each of his last three fights. I also don't think Kattar wants to fight in a phone booth with Emmett. Kattar has a slight two-inch reach advantage in this fight that I fully expect him to take advantage of, staying at a distance and treating this bout like a chess match.

Kattar is the more calculated and technical striker with better cardio, while Emmett is faster and more powerful in the first few rounds. I'd be more inclined to back the dog in a three-round fight, but a five-round fight favors Kattar. Back Kattar to get it done by decision and see his shot at the belt soon.

Calvin Kattar vs Josh Emmett Pick

Play: Calvin Kattar by Decision @ +155 (Bet $100 to win $155)

*Odds available at Fanduel at time of publishing*

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