The UFC’s hardest-hitting featherweights will battle it out in Jacksonville.
Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria are lightweights, but they possess a great deal of relative strength. As Emmett and Topuria climb the featherweight divisional hierarchy, their chins will be tested. Their bout is the main event of UFC Fight Night in Jacksonville’s VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday.
Emmett (18-3) is the more experienced fighter going into UFC Fight Night. He has had eight more fights than Topuria and has been a competitive MMA fighter for six years longer. After losing to Yair Rodriguez for the interim UFC featherweight title in February, the heavy-handed featherweight has a big chip on his back. Emmett is the kind of fighter who lets his deeds show what he’s all about. Emmett has become a regular in main events and main shows thanks to his knockout power and superhero toughness. This is important in a sport where over-the-top characters are often rewarded.
“I didn’t go to college to learn how to act. Emmett told CBS Sports, “I’m not a role.” “I’m a fighter. I’ve always been into sports. I wrestled from the time I was a little kid until I went to college. I can fight and win out there.”People are always trying to act like Conor [McGregor]. I’m a fighter. I got into this business because I wanted to fight, become world champion, and make money.
Topuria’s (13-0) swagger is only matched by how mean he is. The fighter has never lost a fight, and he has won all but one by knockout. Topuria won over fans with his toughness in the Octagon. His last four UFC opponents, including Bryce Mitchell and Ryan Hall, were all stopped before the fight ended. If both Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski win their next fights, Topuria could challenge Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title. Volkanovski’s only new fight would be against Topuria, who is currently ranked ninth and has just won. From Topuria’s point of view, his part of that fate is set in stone.
“No matter where we fight, I’m stronger than him. Topuria told CBS Sports that he was everywhere. “I’m younger, more hungry, faster, stronger, and more powerful than he is. “I have everything.There is no question that I will defeat Josh Emmett; I am the next in line. Who else is more deserving than me to fight for the title?”
On Saturday, the women’s flyweights Amanda Ribas and Maycee Barber will fight in the co-main event. Ribas is a 2-to-1 favorite, even though she has split her last five fights between wins and losses. The fighter with a lot of energy has recently lost to title rival Katlyn Chookagian and contender Marina Rodriguez, who are both better than she is. Barber is feeling good after winning by decision for the fourth time in a row, but two of those wins were split decisions against cold fighters Andrea Lee and Miranda Maverick.
“She is an exciting fighter,” Ribas told reporters this week at a media day. “She also receives a great deal of attention, which is wonderful not only for me as a person with supporters, but also for a professional fighter. When the UFC put us up against each other, it’s great because people want to watch. This is really cool. “…I hope I can win. I have been getting ready for that. God blessed me. Arms up high. I think it will depend on how the fight goes, of course. I’ve shown fights with a lot of punches, kicks, and action on the ground. When someone wins, they get a great extra for the night. I hope to make it into the top five.”
Three more fights that should be exciting will round out the undercard. In a main fight, heavyweights Justin Tafa and Austen Lane will go at it. Both men have powerful hands. All of Tafa’s six wins were by knockout, and all of Lane’s 15 professional fights ended before the final bell. Also, Gabriel Santos will fight David Onama in a very important match at featherweight. And the main show starts with a middleweight fight between Brendan Allen and Bruno Silva, both of whom are rising stars.
