Ilia Topuria vs. Josh Emmett Prediction: Will Emmett Make a Statement at UFC Fight Night?
Ilia Topuria vs. Josh Emmett Prediction: Will Emmett Make a Statement at UFC Fight Night?
The featherweight division will have a key question answered on Saturday night when Josh Emmett steps into the octagon against Ilia Topuria. Both fighters bring impressive records and skill sets, making this a compelling matchup for the division's future. The general consensus is that Ilia Topuria will be on track for a title very soon, but Josh Emmett is no slouch and has vengeance on his mind after getting so close to gold.
Ilia Topuria vs. Josh Emmett Start Time and Where to Watch
- When: Saturday, June 24, 2023
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Where: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL
- Where to Watch: ABC/ESPN+
Ilia Topuria vs. Josh Emmett Prediction
With a professional record of 18 wins and three losses, Emmett is coming off a loss in the interim featherweight championship fight against Yair Rodriguez. Prior to that defeat, Emmett had been on a five-fight win streak, showcasing his ability to dominate opponents. With a 9-3 record in the UFC, he has proven himself to be a formidable force in the division.
On the other side of the cage, Ilia Topuria boasts an undefeated record of 13 wins and no losses. The 26-year-old fighter has been flawless in his career and has yet to face significant adversity in the UFC. Topuria is extremely well-rounded, as he possesses knockout power on the feet with both his hands and legs, and he can also choke out an opponent from any position. However, how he will fare against a powerful striker like Emmett remains to be seen.
Topuria's ability to avoid danger and recover quickly is one aspect that stands out. In his previous fights, he has managed to escape precarious situations, such as the knockdown he suffered against Jai Herbert. His grappling skills have bailed him out in those moments, allowing him to regain control. However, it is worth noting that he has yet to face an opponent with the knockout power of Josh Emmett.
Emmett's power is his trademark, and it is one of the most feared in the featherweight division. Known for his devastating strikes, Emmett possesses the ability to end fights with a single blow. His lead hand is a key weapon, setting up his powerful backhand strikes. In addition to his striking prowess, Emmett has a solid grappling background, having wrestled in college and winning a world championship in the blue belt no-gi division.
While Topuria has shown impressive skills in his own right, his lack of experience against top-tier opponents and fighters with knockout power could be a disadvantage. Emmett will undoubtedly be the hardest hitter Topuria has faced so far, posing a significant threat to his perfect record.
Topuria is the favorite heading into the fight, but the margin seems steep, considering the danger Emmett presents. The experienced fighter has the skills to counter Topuria's offense and potentially exploit defensive weaknesses that Topuria has yet to sharpen in his short time in the UFC. Emmett's power and ability to weather damage make him a live underdog in this matchup.
Ultimately, the outcome of this fight will depend on how well Topuria can handle the power and aggression of Josh Emmett, who surely knows he is an underdog in this matchup and that he will have to bring the fight to Topuria to win. While Topuria has been impressive in his UFC career, his lack of exposure to top-level knockout artists raises a question about his ability to withstand Emmett's onslaught.
If Emmett can find a way to connect with his devastating right hook, he could hand Topuria his first loss and make a statement in the featherweight division. With odds as high as they are, I'm willing to take a generous stab at his knockout prop because if he wins this fight, I think a knockout is the only way. Topuria should win the fight on paper, but with a guy that hits as hard as Emmett, you can never count him completely out.
Ilia Topuria vs. Josh Emmett Pick
Pick: Josh Emmett by KO/TKO +500 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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Article Author
Ben Rajavuori is a handicapper out of Minneapolis, MN. He has been creating sports content for almost four years now and is an expert in all things NFL, MLB, NBA, UFC, and NCAAB. Ben thrives on diving deep into statistics to find the best angle on every bet. You can follow him on Twitter @WeBeatTheSpread.