Josh Emmett is adamant he’s next in line for a title shot at 145-pounds.
Emerging victorious at UFC Austin in what the judges saw as a razor-close bout opposite Calvin Kattar, Emmet found himself taking the number four next to the ‘Boston Finisher’s name after the divisional rankings were updated this week.
Regardless of that number, or who’s ahead of him, the 37-year-old firmly believes he’s now the rightful number one contender at featherweight.
“I definitely feel like the fight that Calvin Kattar and I just had, I feel like that was a title eliminator,” Emmet told The AllStar.
“I feel like I am the number one contender, so I’m expecting to fight the winner of the July second fight.”
The second of July marks the third meeting between Max Holloway and defending featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, inside the Octagon. Emmett will be in attendance at UFC 276 for the International Fight Week card and plans to keep a very close eye on the proceedings of the co-main event.
“I’ll actually be in Vegas watching that fight cageside. Dana has some tickets for me… Those guys are two of the best fighters in the world and in my weight class, so I’m excited to watch that and I want the winner.”
It doesn’t appear the Team Alpha Male affiliate is too concerned about losing his shot to Brian Ortega or Yair Rodriguez, who are ranked two and three respectively and scheduled to meet just a fortnight after the trilogy between Volkanovski and Holloway is to take place.
As the only top-five contender who hasn’t had a crack at the “top guys”, and having won what he describes as a title eliminator, Emmett feels it’s unquestionable who’s next.
“I’m the only one who hasn’t got to do this, like, fight for the title. No one deserves anything in life, but I’ve earned this. I’ve earned this shot and that’s gonna be my next fight.”
“I’m gonna sit back and wait until I get that call from Dana or my manager [saying] I’m next in line.”
Probed on his thoughts about the looming 145-pound title fight between two all-time greats, Emmett praised both champion and challenger on their ability to constantly evolve as martial artists, but said he leans toward the Australian walking away with gold via another decision win; and that’s the fight he wants.
“Holloway is so good, but then it’s also, like, styles make fights and Volkaanovski has beaten him twice. It’s hard for me to bet against a champion, and also someone that’s as decorated as Volkanovski. He’s undefeated in the UFC, he’s on a 20+ fight winning streak and he continues to get better and better. People don’t give him the credit he deserves.”
“[He’s] beaten everybody, but he hasn’t beaten me.”
Fighter profile
Josh Emmett is a 37-year-old male fighter from the United States with 18 pro wins and 2 losses. Emmett most recently fought Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Emmett on Saturday, June 18, 2022.
Josh Emmett’s recent form coming into this matchup
Josh Emmett has gone 5-0 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.
- Win vs Calvin Kattar • Decision R5 5:00 • 2022-06-18
- Win vs Dan Ige • Decision R3 5:00 • 2021-12-11
- Win vs Shane Burgos • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-06-20
- Win vs Mirsad Bektić • KO/TKO R1 4:25 • 2019-07-13
- Win vs Michael Johnson • KO/TKO R3 4:14 • 2019-03-30
