Unbeaten featherweight prospect Ilia Topuria was looking to assert his place in the mix of title contention against Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Jacksonville.
UFC Jacksonville: Josh Emmett vs Ilia Topuria
Round 1
Emmett opens aggressively and presses forward quickly. Emmett lands to the guard while moving forward. Emmett gets a left hook in. Strong left and over the top right hand from Topuria. Topuria jabs and rips to the body. Emmett gets a left hook. Big right hand from Topuria. Emmett blitzes forward. Low kick by Topuria. Heavy leg kick and another from Topuria. Emmett with a jab. Nice left hand from Topuria.
Round 2
Emmett lands a low kick and moves to the side. Emmett lands a right hand. Topuria lands a counter right. Emmett lands a left. Topuria lands a big right hand. Topuria is making good work of his jab. Emmett rushes in with a combo. He eats a massive counter shot and combination from Topuria. Emmett recovers and gets back up. Topuria patiently waiting to counter. Massive left hand from Topuria hurt Emmett. Topuria amps up the pressure with more punches. Emmett manages to move out away.
Round 3
Emmett opens strong with a quick right hand. Topuria lands a heavy leg kick. Emmett keeps his range with the jab and continues to move. Jab from Topuria. Low kicks by Topuria and a nice left hook from Emmett. Topuria goes to the body and then head. Big right hand from Topuria. 3 punch combo from Topuria. Emmett lands a big right hand. Topuria jabs and a big overhand right. Emmett lands a heavy right hand. Topuria lands a jab and a nasty hook. Emmett stays offensive. They trade big shots. Topuria lands two big shots. Emmett fires back with a left hook. He’s looking for a big shot. He goes to the body.
Round 4
Emmett continues his offensive pressure. Topuria works off his jab. He jabs and moves back. 1-2 from Topuria. Emmett finds a body shot. Big calf kick from Topuria. Emmett blitzes forward and doesn’t land. Big jab from Topuria. Big left hook from Topuria sends Emmett down. Topuria looks to capitalize with ground and pound. Heavy shots from Topuria. He gets up and Topuria lands brutal body shots. Uppercut from Topuria rocks Emmett. Topuria’s punch gets him down. Topuria goes to the ground and lands big strikes.
Round 5
Emmett gets a big left hook in. He’s swinging wild. He gets a jab. Topuria working off his jab now. Topuria using his jab to move forward. Emmett goes for the left hook to deter him. Topuria shoots for a takedown and gets it. He lands big elbows from the top. Emmett gets up to his knee and Topuria pins him against the cage and strikes him with his knees. Great scramble from Emmett. Topuria takes the back and gets him down again. He moves up the body and retains position landing light strikes.
Official Result: Ilia Topuria defeats Josh Emmett by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-42, 49-45).
Check out the highlights below:
To championship rounds we go!!!! #UFCJacksonville is LIVE on @ABCNetwork! pic.twitter.com/EfgA6IOMNV
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
All heart. #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/KwlMUCgHUo
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
WHAT A FIGHT, FOLKS!!!!!! 👏👏👏 #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/lIgir9SW4s
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
EL MATADOR COMING FOR THAT NO. 5 SPOT 😤📈@TopuriaIlia with a boxing masterclass in our main event! #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/i4KIlyvmyJ
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
