One of the UFC's most promising up-and-comers is now undoubtedly one of the best featherweights in the world.
Ilia Topuria put on a clinic against former interim title challenger Josh Emmett, defeating him via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-42, 49-45) in the UFC Jacksonville main event on Saturday.
"I'm the next guy without any doubt," Topuria said in his postfight interview when asked about how long it'll take to receive a title shot. "I want (UFC featherweight champion) Alex (Volkanovski) to defend that belt ... and (I will) show to him where his world is going to end, and mine is going to start."
Volkanovski, the dominant 145-pound champion who has held the title since 2019, is scheduled to unify the belts versus interim champ Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 on July 8. Volkanovski has largely cleaned out the division, and if he beats Rodriguez, it's not unfeasible that Topuria would be next in line. Emmett was ranked No. 5, and Topuria No. 9, going in.
After a composed start in Round 1, Topuria outworked and outclassed Emmett for most of the fight. He kept a high guard with his hands and peppered Emmett with jabs before unleashing power shots in the middle rounds.
Topuria hurt Emmett in the second and badly battered him in the fourth, nearly forcing a stoppage. He rocked Emmett twice in that stanza and fired off heavy ground-and-pound shots, but the incredibly tough Emmett survived to see the fifth. Judge Christopher Lee gave Topuria a very rare 10-7 score in the fourth round. His final scorecard produced only the fourth 50-42 line in UFC history, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi.
Emmett came out winging overhand punches at the start of the final round, but Topuria - clearly ahead on the scorecards - remained composed and intelligent. He completed a takedown midway through and grinded out Emmett to secure the victory.
The 26-year-old Spanish fighter remains undefeated as a professional MMA fighter at 14-0 and now holds a 6-0 record in the UFC. This was his first UFC main event, his first time entering the fourth round, and his first win over a top-five opponent.
Emmett has now lost two straight, which is the first losing streak of his 22-fight career. The 38-year-old was last victorious against Calvin Kattar in June 2022.
