Emmett vs Topuria Betting Preview: Knockout Artists Feature in Jacksonville
Bank on Knockouts and Finishes for UFC on ABC’s Matinee
Topuria Favored in Main Event Over Emmett
The UFC knows how to appease its Jacksonville fans as it brings an explosive main event. Featherweight contenders Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria slug it out to earn a title shot. The Emmett vs Topuria betting preview sees the latter as the -320 favorite with the totals also expected to go under 2.5 rounds at -210. This expects a Topuria knockout as he claims his the number-one contender spot.
Emmett vs Topuria
Emmett vs TopuriaDate, time:
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Streaming: ABC
Topuria Could be One KO Away from Title Shot
Topuria may only be ranked ninth in the UFC featherweight rankings, but a knockout victory over Emmett (ranked fifth) could just vault him close to the top. The Georgian has undefeated and has finished his last four opponents including fellow blue chip prospect Bryce Mitchell. The UFC odds favor Topuria to make it five straight against the grizzled Emmett.
But the Team Alpha Male fighter won’t go down so easily. In fact, Emmett is one of the most dangerous underdog UFC fighters at +240. He is 6-2 as one in the UFC. Emmett is a prolific wrestler with heavy hands. He’s knocked out some big names in the division including Michael Johnson and Ricardo Lamas. On top of that, he also hurt interim champion Yair Rodriguez.
“Josh Emmett is as tough as they come,” Rodriguez said during UFC 284’s post-fight press conference. “He landed a punch in the first round, and I went into automatic mode. I don’t remember much after that. I was just fighting.”
It’s plausible for Emmett to pull off another shocker here. Topuria has not faced a heavy-handed wrestle-boxer like Emmett before. Most Emmett vs Topuria betting previews expect a star-making performance from Topuria. But it may come with some adversity as he has been hurt before.
Ribas-Barber Features Prospects Turned Contenders
Speaking of prospects turned contenders, both Amanda Ribas and Maycee Barber are one. These flyweights will duke it out in the co-main event to move one step closer to a title shot. The odds favor Ribas at -220 with Barber at +175. But with this one also favored to go past the 2.5 round mark (-260) and into a decision, this could be a closer fight than the line says.
Ribas is only 2-2 in his last four fights. She also got knocked out by Marina Rodriguez in 2021. Barber, on the other hand, has won four straight fights after losing to the current champ Alexa Grasso. She started her UFC career with three KOs but a one-sided loss to Roxanne Modafferi, in which she was a -850 favorite, stopped her momentum dead in its tracks.
Both Ribas and Barber have yet to recapture the hype. But a strong showing from either here will put them right back in the hunt.
Tafa, Allen Among Finishers Featured on Main Card
The rest of the UFC on ABC: Emmett vs Topuria betting preview features other finishers on the main card. Justin Tafa and Austen Lane meet in a heavyweight showdown. As the totals – under 1.5 rounds at -210 – expect, this one shouldn’t last long.
Tafa has a “kill or be killed” mentality. Four of his six UFC fights ended in Round 1 while all nine of Lane’s fights were finished. Only two went past the first round as well.
And not to be forgotten is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Brendan Allen. He opens the main card against Bruno Silva, a knockout artist who won his last six bouts all via his fists.
Allen is favored at -180 with Silva at +150. This one is expected to go over 1.5 rounds at -155. But it shouldn’t go to a decision either as Allen either submits Silva or gets KO’d trying.
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