UFC Fight Night is set to get going this weekend from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, June 24 at 3 p.m. ET. There is a five-bout main card highlighted by a featherweight fight between #5 Josh Emmett and #9 Ilia Topuria. Also notable is the co-main event, featuring a women's flyweight fight between Amanda Ribas and Maycee Barber.
Emmett (18-3) had his five-fight win-streak snapped by interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez by way of second-round submission in February. Prior to that loss, he soared up the featherweight rankings, with wins over Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige. Now, the 38-year-old gets an opportunity to redeem his loss and keep the momentum going.
Topuria (13-0) enters this fight on a five-fight winning streak, with his last four wins all coming by stoppage. In his most recent bout, he defeated Bryce Mitchell by way of second-round submission last December. That victory propelled him into the top 10 of the featherweight rankings. With an unblemished record that features 8 submission wins out of 13 total victories, Topuria is eyeing a top-five ranking with a win this weekend.
How to watch Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria
Date: Saturday, June 24
Fight time: Main card starts at 3 p.m. ET
Live stream: ABC/ESPN+
DraftKings Sportsbook Odds/Predictions
Emmett: +285
Topuria: -345
Splits: 77% of handle, 82% of bets on Topuria
Emmett is a very good fighter, but the lines and public are riding Topuria's hot winning streak. Topuria's recent fights feature a submission win along with three knockouts all before the third round, one play is to take under 2.5 rounds (-220). It's hard not to see him coming away with a submission win or knockout victory. Emmett has had a nice run in the division, but the 26-year-old Topuria has a distinct advantage in this matchup.