Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria fight Saturday in UFC on ABC 5 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Emmett enters this fight with a 18-3 record and has won 56 percent of his fights by decision. Topuria enters this fight with a 13-0 record and has won 62 percent of his fights by submission.
Josh Emmett Betting Preview
Emmett has won 12 of his last 15 fights and is coming off a February loss to Yair Rodríguez. Emmett is averaging 4.17 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 37 percent. Emmett is averaging 1.07 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 37 percent. Emmett is coming off a submission loss at UFC 284 where he landed 35 total strikes and ate 98 total strikes. It was the first time Emmett was submitted, and he now looks to avoid back to back losses for the first time in his career. A purple belt in BJJ and coming from a wrestling background, Emmett usually features a lot of grappling and ground game in his attack, but over the years we’re seeing him more comfortable striking and displaying more of that power. The now 38-year-old has 6 career knockout victories. Emmett is one of the more well conditioned fighters in the featherweight division, and it’s helped him win 9 of his 10 career decisions. This will be Emmett’s second career fight in Florida.
Ilia Topuria Betting Preview
This will be Topuria’s fourth fight since 2021 and is coming off a December win over Bryce Mitchell. Topuria is averaging 3.32 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 49 percent. Topuria is averaging 2.45 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 46 percent. Topuria is coming off a submission win at UFC 282 that earned performance of the night honors. In the victory, Topuria landed 53 total strikes and ate 46 total strikes. Topuria is now 5-0 under the UFC banner and has 8 career submission victories. Topuria is a black belt in BJJ and has high screens with his takedowns and elite takedown defense. Topuria is also a polished striker who throws compact, strong hooks and has 4 career knockouts. With his balanced attack and only being 26 years old, Topuria is a guy on the rise who could soon have some hardware on his shoulder. This will be Topuria’s first career fight in Florida.
H2H History
There’s no fight history between these 2 fighters.
Randy’s Free Pick
Emmett and the massive plus money is worth a look as he’s a proven veteran who has never lost back to back fights. Howvwer, Topuria has been so good up to this point, can finish a fight anywhere and just feels like he’s the guy on the rise who could soon be one of the faces of this sport. I’m just not eager to step in front of Topuria.
Give me Topuria inside distance to shave some of the juice.