AUSTIN, Texas — Josh Emmett’s case for a title shot just keeps getting stronger.
The UFC featherweight added another win to the streak, defeating Calvin Kattar in a thrilling and highly technical five-round contest in Saturday’s UFC main event on ESPN 37.
Emmett (18-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) defeated Kattar (23-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) by split decision. The judges’ scorecards showed 48-47 and 48-47 in favor of Emmett and a single card 47-48 for Kattar.
Following the reading of the ruling, Emmett took the time off his mic to let the UFC know he wanted the sequel.
“There is a huge title fight in two weeks. I want to be seated at the edge of the cage to see who I fight next,” Emmett said in the cage. “Dana (White), give me a chance.”
The fight against Kattar was a tight contest that had many divisions in line over who should have been the rightful winner.
In Round 1, both fighters were very hesitant. In the first three minutes, they mostly measured each other and launched airstrikes to test their range. However, nothing significant landed. In the last two minutes, the two started to let go a little more. Emmett seemed to have the most impactful punches, though Kattar looked a bit busier.
In the second, Emmett tried to put the pressure on. It was swinging hard and knocking Kattar back. But about halfway through, Kattar’s jab kicked in and landed hard in Emmett’s face. A cut was opened over Emmett’s left eye and was bleeding profusely. Emmett tried to respond with big looping hooks, but most of them were blocked by Kattar.
The third, fourth and fifth rounds were a constant back and forth between their forces.
Kattar had long stretches of connecting solid punches with his jab and other long range attacks. But Emmett would also go into stints where he would force Kattar back down by squeezing him and throwing big looping hooks. Both fighters were beaten and bloodied by the final bell.
Emmett now finds himself on a five-fight unbeaten streak. Emmett entered UFC on ESPN 37 with straight wins over Michael Johnson, Mirsad Bektic, Shane Burgos and Dan Ige. The 37-year-old hasn’t lost since being stopped by Jeremy Stephens in 2018.
Kattar is 1-2 in his last three fights. He was beaten hard by Max Holloway at the start of 2021 in Abu Dhabi and bounced back with a dominating win over Giga Chikadze. It was the third straight event the Boston native has headlined in the UFC.
Updated results from UFC on ESPN 37 include:
- Josh Emmett won. Calvin Kattar via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
- Kevin Holland beats. Tim Means via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 2, 1:28
- Joaquin Buckley beats. Albert Duraev via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 3, 0:10
- Damir Ismagulov defeated. Guram Kutateladze by majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Gregory Rodrigues defeated. Julian Marquez via KO (punches) – Round 1, 3:18
- Adrian Yanez defeats. Tony Kelley via KO (punches) – Round 1, 3:49
- Natalia Silva defeats. Jasmine Jasudavicius via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jeremiah Wells beats. Court McGee via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:34
- Ricardo Ramos defeats. Danny Chavez via KO (elbow spinning back) – Round 1, 1:12
- Maria Oliveira beats. Gloria de Paula via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Cody Stamann beats. Eddie Wineland via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:59
- Phil Hawes beats. Deron Winn via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:25
- Roman Dolidze defeated. Kyle Daukaus via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:13
