Two former opponents of Ilia Topuria will compete against each other on the main card of UFC 320, scheduled for October 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This matchup is part of a broader lineup featuring two title fights, including Magomed Ankalaev defending his light heavyweight belt against Alex Pereira, and Merab Dvalishvili facing Cory Sandhagen in the bantamweight division.
Besides these championship bouts, the card will showcase compelling matchups such as Jiri Prochazka versus Khalil Rountree Jr., as well as bouts featuring Joe Pyfer, Patchy Mix, Austin Vanderford, and Ateba Gautier. Enhancing the event’s appeal further is the featherweight fight between Josh Emmett and Youssef Zalal, officially announced during the latest UFC Fight Night in Shanghai.
Profile of the Emmett vs. Zalal Featherweight Contest
Josh Emmett, a former interim title challenger ranked eighth at 145 pounds, is looking to bounce back after a decision loss to Lerone Murphy. Emmett had previously gained momentum following his knockout win against Bryce Mitchell, which earned Knockout of the Year honors for 2023. His opponent, Youssef Zalal, currently ranked ninth, has risen through the ranks with four consecutive wins after returning to the UFC, most recently securing a decision victory over Calvin Kattar.
This bout is crucial for both contenders as they aim to improve their standings in the featherweight division and regain momentum heading deeper into the year’s competitive schedule.
Significance of the Matchup: The Only Fighters to Endure Ilia Topuria to Decision
Emmett and Zalal share a unique connection: they are the only two fighters to last the full fight duration against Ilia Topuria, known in the UFC as a devastating knockout artist. Both men lost to Topuria, but their bouts were the sole decisions on his otherwise dominant record.
Zalal was Topuria’s first UFC opponent in 2020 and remains someone Topuria regards as presenting the toughest challenge he has faced at 155 pounds. Josh Emmett, meanwhile, was the only fighter to go five rounds with Topuria during their UFC Jacksonville main event encounter two years ago. Despite surviving the timer, Emmett endured significant punishment, with one judge awarding an extremely rare 10-7 round on the scorecards.
This match between two survivors of Topuria’s power adds an intriguing layer to UFC 320’s main card, demonstrating the resilience and skill required to face the Spanish fighter.
UFC 320: Anticipation for a Packed Event in Las Vegas
The October event marks the UFC’s return to numbered cards after a month without a pay-per-view in September. With two title defenses at the top of the card, and a mix of rising talents and experienced contenders in the undercard bouts, UFC 320 promises to deliver high-level action.
Fans and analysts will be closely watching how Emmett and Zalal perform, given their history with Topuria and their potential to continue climbing the featherweight rankings. The results could influence future matchups and title contention possibilities in the division.