Undefeated featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria has both opened and is largely closing as a significant betting favorite to defeat former interim championship challenger, Josh Emmett at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville later this month.
Topuria, the current #9 ranked featherweight contender, managed to improve to 13-0 as a professional in his most recent Octagon outing, successfully defeating fellow division contender Bryce Mitchell with a one-sided victory at UFC 282 back in November, submitting the former with a third round arm-triangle choke. The victory earned Ilia Topuria another post-fight Performance of the Night bonus.
As for Emmett, the veteran featherweight knockout artist challenged for interim divisional gold in the co-main event of UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – suffering a second round submission loss to Yair Rodríguez as the Chihuahua native wrapped up a second frame triangle choke submission victory.