Latest news with #JoshEmmett
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Emmett on what makes Ilia Topuria so good – even though he's been hit harder
Josh Emmett is one of two fighters to go the distance with Ilia Topuria. Emmett (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) was able to withstand Topuria's striking barrage for 25 minutes en route to a unanimous decision loss in their June 2023 headliner. Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is coming off three-straight knockouts over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and most recently Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title at UFC 317. Advertisement The former interim featherweight title challenger says that despite's Topuria's proven knockout power, he isn't the hardest hitter he's ever fought. "He's great," Emmett told MMA Junkie of Topuria. "I did expect him to do great things just because he's so technically sound. Also, when we fought, people were asking me how hard does he hit – and yeah, of course he hits hard, but when we were fighting, I feel like I've been hit harder by people that I've fought. The thing with Ilia is his footwork is good, he's always in a really good position, he's fast, and he's very precise and accurate. So, he's not loading up 100 percent. He's landing the accuracy and the precision with the speed." So who hit harder? "On the regional scene when I fought Christos Giagos at lightweight, he hit really hard," Emmett responded. "Dan Ige, he can crack. He hits hard, too. So, from just a pure, getting hit with power where you're like, 'Damn, that was a hard punch,' I'd say Dan Ige." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Former Ilia Topuria opponent rates power after UFC 317 knockout
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC contender Youssef Zalal itching to fight again in 2025, calls out Josh Emmett
Youssef Zalal wants to test himself with one of the biggest punchers in the UFC's featherweight division. LAS VEGAS – Youssef Zalal is getting itchy knuckles, and wants to get back in the cage as soon as possible. The streaking UFC featherweight contender has yet to book his second fight of 2025, and is already growing a bit restless, given he last fought in February. Speaking with MMA Junkie, Zalal (17-5-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC), who's on a seven-fight win streak, pitched veteran Josh Emmett to be his dance partner for his return to the octagon. "I hope the Josh Emmett fight can happen," Zalal told MMA Junkie Radio ahead of UFC 317. The Emmett callout is not personal, it's just what Zalal sees feasible at this point. There's a lot of moving pieces in the featherweight division, and several booked bouts. Zalal sees Emmett is one of the few top contenders he has a lot to gain from, who's currently not booked to fight. "I want to be the best in the world," Zalal said. "I want to be the world champion and I will be a world champion, so for me, we need that. I feel like the only way to climb up is to fight the top guys. For me, I'm just trying to climb up in the rankings, so hopefully that happens. Everybody else is booked or starting to get booked. They said Arnold Allen might fight Lerone Murphy, that there are talks about. Yair (Rodriguez) might fight or the belt, and you've got everybody else fighting, so the only one guy that doesn't have a fight in the top 10 is Josh Emmett." Zalal really hopes to make the Emmett fight happen this year. He's not too happy with his current level of activity, but understands the politics side to the game. "I hope so – that's the goal," Zalal said when asked about a 2025 return. "It's more politics. Movsar (Evloev), I think, is the best guy in the division so far that deserves a title shot and hasn't gotten a title shot, and he's fighting a guy that's not even ranked, that's not even in the UFC. It's all about politics in this game. You go out there and do something crazy, it gives you attention."
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, April 8: Lerone Murphy enters top 10
UFC on ESPN 65 took place this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, producing a key move in the featherweight division. In the main event, undefeated Lerone Murphy won a clear unanimous decision over former interim title challenger Josh Emmett. Murphy entered the week at No. 12 in the 145-pound division, but after his second main event win, lands at No. 8 in this week's rankings update. Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Lerone Murphy after UFC on ESPN 65 win?
(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Josh Emmett after UFC on ESPN 65 loss?) Lerone Murphy kept his name as a relevant player in the rapidly evolving featherweight division when he emerged victorious from the UFC on ESPN 65 main event. Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) defeated Josh Emmett (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) by unanimous decision Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, keeping his unblemished career record intact and showing that he's capable of outsmarting arguably the biggest power puncher at 145 pounds. What's next for Murphy? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ESPN 65. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC on ESPN 65.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 65 post-event facts: Torrez Finney sets dubious record for low striking output
The octagon made its lone April appearance at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with UFC on ESPN 65 on Saturday. Although there were some historic feats on the undercards, the most meaningful result came from the main event. Featherweight contender Lerone Murphy (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) kept his undefeated record in tact when he outpointed Josh Emmett (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) by unanimous decision. For more on the numbers to come out of the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie's post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 65. * * * *
