Featherweight contender Josh Emmett made a triumphant return to the Octagon earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 30, 2019) at UFC on ESPN 2 from inside Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he put a brutal stop to former lightweight standout Michael Johnson via third-round knockout (punch).
After Johnson led the dance over the course of the first two rounds on the heels of quick movement, consistent combinations, and great defense, Emmett needed a finish in the third. Following some back-and-forth action, Emmett launched a massive overhand right that connected directly on Johnson’s chin. “Menace” immediately turned off and fell to the canvas in a heap. Emmett didn’t even need to add any insurance shots as the referee immediately stepped in.
Check out the full highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
With this performance, Emmett gets back into the 145-pound win column after suffering a knockout loss to Jeremy Stephens back in February of 2018. Pair this insane knockout over Johnson with his one-punch finish of Ricardo Lamas in 2017 and it’s becoming clear that Emmett is one of the best power punchers in the featherweight division today. More stoppages like this one on the grand stage that is ESPN will only propel Emmett further up the divisional ladder in 2019.
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