Josh Emmett didn’t hesitate when asked about his next fight.
UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett has a big name in mind for his next Octagon test when the new year begins.
Josh Emmett earned a ‘Knockout of the Year’ contender when he slept Bryce Mitchell at UFC 296 last Saturday. He was originally supposed to face Giga Chikadze before Chikadze withdrew due to injury.
Josh Emmett made the most of the new challenge and walked away with a post-fight bonus. He desperately needed a win to stay relevant in the featherweight title picture after a pair of recent struggles.
As Josh Emmett looks ahead to what’s next, he wants the quickest path possible to a title shot before he opts to hang up the gloves.
Josh Emmett Targets Max Holloway For 2024 Return
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Emmett called out Max Holloway for a 2024 clash.
“Besides Volkanovski, I think [Max Holloway] is one of the best featherweights of all time,” Emmett said. “But Max has beat everybody. The only person who has his number is Volkanovski, so he’s the No. 1 contender. He’s cleared out pretty much everyone in the division and fought everyone but myself. It would be an honor to fight him, and that’s a sure shot to the title. Going in and beating him, there’s nothing left but to fight for the title.”
As of this writing, Holloway doesn’t have a date or opponent booked for his next fight. A matchup with Emmett could make a lot of sense.
Holloway has earned back-to-back wins over Arnold Allen and The Korean Zombie since a trilogy loss to Alexander Volkanovski. He remains the No. 1 featherweight contender and doesn’t plan on moving to another weight class anytime soon.
The 38-year-old Emmett is knocking on the door of a possible shot at UFC gold, and a win over Holloway could give him the next chance at the title against the Volkanovsi vs. Ilia Topuria winner.