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Emmett edges Kattar in UFC Austin main event

Josh Hedges / UFC / Getty

Featherweight contender Josh Emmett defeated Calvin Kattar via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) in the main event at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Austin, Texas.

Both fighters traded blows for most of the five rounds after a timid start, with Emmett eventually edging Kattar to extend his winning streak to five fights.

Kattar found momentum with his jabs at times, but Emmett responded well with pressure body attacks and powerful moves on the other side. The difference-maker for Emmett came in Round 3. The 37-year-old had arguably his best moment of the night in the third round, tagging Kattar with multiple hard shots.

Kattar, who beat Giga Chikadze by unanimous decision in January, has now lost two of his last three fights.

Emmett moves closer to a title shot with the victory. He entered the night as the seventh-ranked featherweight while Kattar ranked fourth in the division.

Emmett asked for his chance to fight for the belt after Saturday's win.

"I got one more thing to say, there's a huge title fight in two weeks," Emmett said, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting. "I want to be sitting cageside to see who I'm fighting next. Dana (White), give me my shot."

He added: (Max) Holloway and (Alexander) Volkanovski are arguably some of the best featherweights of all time. So much respect for them but they need some new blood in the division and I can get it done."

Volkanovski is set to defend his title in a trilogy fight against Holloway at UFC 276 on July 2 in Las Vegas.

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