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Josh Emmett echoes calls for title eliminator fight with UFC star Max Holloway: ‘He fought everyone but me’

Josh Emmett calls out Max Holloway following a devastating knockout win over Bryce Mitchell. Following the first two back-to-back…

Josh Emmett calls out Max Holloway following a devastating knockout win over Bryce Mitchell.

Following the first two back-to-back losses of his career, Emmett was in search of a win against Giga Chikadze, but the Georgian had to withdraw from the fight due to injury. Mitchell would take the fight on late notice and pre-fight opinion was split after Emmett’s recent outcomes and that he was now 38.

However, it would take Emmett just under two minutes to land a devastating right hand, knocking out Mitchell with a single shot. Mitchell would remain stiff in unconsciousness before begging to seize.

Josh Emmett calls out Max Holloway for future matchup

With the victory, Emmet places himself straight back into the mix at featherweight and could see himself straight back into a big fight.

Appearing on Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s podcast, Emmett specifically named Holloway as who he would like next.

“I want to get back to that title, that’s my goal,” Emmett said on the JAXXON PODCAST (h/t MMA Junkie). “I’m going to do whatever it takes to become a world champion, and I want to fight someone in front of me.

“In my opinion, the clearest shot to the title — and it would be the toughest fight as well — give me Max Holloway,” he continued. “He’s the No. 1 contender. I think it’s the right fight at the right time. That’s what I want. He was a phenomenal champion in and out of the Octagon. He’s a huge name, and he’s cleared out the entire division. He’s fought everyone but me. Let’s do it.”

Holloway is quickly running out of matchups at featherweight having already lost to Alexander Volkanovski three times but beating all other contenders he has faced.

Do you think the UFC should make Max Holloway vs. Josh Emmett?

Paddy Pimblett backed as ‘Legit fighter’ amid criticizm from Colby Covington after UFC 296: ‘Slowly he’s learning’

Despite questions from Colby Covington about his ability and even skepticism from Paul Felder if he could beat any…

Despite questions from Colby Covington about his ability and even skepticism from Paul Felder if he could beat any lightweight contender ranked in the top-15 of the division, Paddy Pimblett has been backed as a “legit fighter” – whilst unpolished, by former UFC title challenger, Gilbert Burns.

Pimblett, who made his return to the Octagon at UFC 296 last month, landed his fourth consecutive victory in a one-sided unanimous decision win over former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson in the pair’s grudge match.

The outing came as Paddy Pimblett’s first since December the year prior, where the Liverpool native landed a contrvoersial decision win over Jared Gordon. In other Octagon triumphs, former Cage Warriors featherweight kingpin, Pimblett turned in stoppage wins over both Jordan Leavitt, and Luigi Vendramini.

And receiving criticizm from Covington – who questioned his ability after UFC 296, Pimblett’s chances of beating a lightweight contender within the ranking pile’s top-15 was also called into question by the aforenoted, Felder.

Gilbert Burns defends Paddy Pimblett from criticizm

However, according to former welterweight title challenger, Burns, Pimblett – whom he has previously trained with, is most definitely a legitimate fighter, despite his naysayers and vocal critics.

“I think the guy (Paddy Pimblett) fought very good,” Gilbert Burns said on the JAXXON podcast. “Like I said, he still needs to get tested. I still think that he needs to get to that point that’s like, let’s see what he’s going to do on that last round. He lost the first one, lost the second one and and let’s see now. I still want to see those guys tested, but still very young. When I was in the U.K., I was training with him. The guy is serious. He takes it super serious. Good guy, trains hard, I think, but still got to be tested a little bit.”

“Four months ago when I was in the U.K. he was already in shape,” Burns continued. “I think slowly he’s learning. And yeah – he legit. He’s still very young, but he’s a legit fighter.”

Just days removed from his fight with Ferguson, Pimblett has sent fans into worry on social media, appearing to piling on significant mass since his victory – a prior trait he claimed he was set to leave behind him prior to his return at UFC 296.

Bryce Mitchell taking six-Month Hiatus After Horrifying KO Loss against Josh Emmett at UFC 296

Bryce Mitchell won’t be rushing back into the Octagon anytime soon. Stepping up for a short-notice scrap with Josh…

Bryce Mitchell won’t be rushing back into the Octagon anytime soon.

Stepping up for a short-notice scrap with Josh Emmett at the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of 2023, ‘Thug Nasty’ suffered one of the most horrifying knockouts in UFC history. Lying on the cage floor in convulsions after eating a crushing right hand from Emmett, fans and fighters watching on were understandably concerned for the featherweight standout’s health.

Getting to see Josh Emmett knockout Bryce Mitchell live was insane pic.twitter.com/Ht6ow1v5pc

— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) January 3, 2024

Luckily, Mitchell recovered enough to walk out of the Octagon under his own power.

Looking to take no chances following the undeniably scary moment, ‘Thug Nasty’ plans to sideline himself for the next six months.

“I’m on my own concussion protocol,” Mitchell told ESPN. “I’ll consult with my coaches, too, and we’re basically just saying, ‘You know, don’t spar for six months.’ I’ve got to [build a new house] and [expecting my first child], but then I’m right into my next training camp after that. The good thing is that I don’t have to rush into it.”

Bryce Mitchell’s Family Thought he was dead

After losing two of his last three bouts, Mitchell finds himself barely clinging to the No. 10 spot in the featherweight rankings. However, being pushed further away from a 145-pound title opportunity was the least of his concerns following the fight.

“The worst part is dealing with everybody afterwards, ‘cause they all thought I was dead,” Mitchell continued. “Everybody that I knew was crying. On the bright side, that was the easiest fight for me. I’ve never had a fight where I’ve come out feeling so great. I just woke up in the ambulance and barely remembered what happened. There’s no pain, I’m telling you. But everybody was crying and they thought I was dead; I’m not exaggerating” (h/t MMA Mania).

Still sitting at an impressive 16-2 in his mixed martial arts career, Mitchell is expected to make his return during the second half of 2024.

Paul Felder questions if Paddy Pimblett can beat any top-15 UFC lightweight: ‘i really don’t think so’

Former lightweight contender, Paul Felder has claimed it’s doubtful that recent winner, Paddy Pimblett can land a triumph over…

Former lightweight contender, Paul Felder has claimed it’s doubtful that recent winner, Paddy Pimblett can land a triumph over any top-15 lightweight contender in the promotion, off the back of his UFC 296 win over former interim champion, Tony Ferguson last month.

Pimblett, who turned in his fourth consecutive victory at UFC 296 last month, landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over Ferguson, handing the Oxnard veteran his seventh straight loss.

Prior to that, Paddy Pimblett battled to a dubious unanimous decision win over Jared Gordon two years ago, following a pair of stoppage wins over both Jordan Leavitt, and Luigi Vendramini.

Paddy Pimblett’s ability called into question

Receiving criticizm from former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington – who poked fun at the Liverpool native’s ability, Pimblett’s ability to also defeat any lightweight within the top-15 rankings has been highly doubted by Philadelphia favorite, Felder.

“Can Paddy (Pimblett) beat anyone in the top-15?” Paul Felder asked on the UFC ‘Round-Up’ show, “I will start with this: Of course he can. We know that it’s MMA – anything can happen. But if we were going to sit here and make bets, and if I had to predict: No, I really don’t think so. He struggled to ever get Tony (Ferguson) out of there who looked the worst he’s ever looked in his career.”

“He was able to hurt Tony a little bit, but he really should have been able to put him away,” Felder explained. “Not taking anything away from him – he knew he was going to be in for a hard one, even if he won this fight. He said it in the media days leading up that we were going to criticize him even if he wins, if he didn’t go out there and maybe get him out of there. So, here we are criticizing him.”

What’s next for Paddy Pimblett after his UFC 296 win?

UFC star Leon Edwards receives hero’s welcome in Birmingham return, parades title around Aston Villa pitch

Returning to his native Birmingham for the first time since he successfully defended his undisputed welterweight crown at UFC…

Returning to his native Birmingham for the first time since he successfully defended his undisputed welterweight crown at UFC 296 earlier this month, home town favorite, Leon Edwards paraded his championship belt around Villa Park – home to Aston Villa, receiving a massive hero’s welcome in his return to the United Kingdom.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, headlined UFC 296 two weeks ago in Las Vegas, Nevada, landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over former interim champion, Colby Covington in the pair’s grudge match clash in ‘Sin City’.

And returning to the UK, Edward attended Aston Villa’s Premier League match against Burnley, parading his championship belt around Villa Park – as well as joining players from Unai Emery’s side following a 2-0 victory tonight.

Leon Edwards parades title around Villa Park

Finding themselves on the right side of a 3-2 victory this weekend following a prior midweek 3-2 loss to Manchester United, a late penalty from Douglas Luiz after goals from both Mousa Diaby, and Leon Bailey handed the hosts all three points as part of a high-flying season under head coach, Emery.

Yet to book his return to the Octagon amid links to a title fight rematch against surging Illinois contender, Belal Muhammad next year, Edwards claimed he did not believe the surging number two ranked welterweight contender actually deserved a championship re-run.

“Nah, there are definitely other options,” Leon Edwards told said after UFC 296. “I don’t feel like Belal (Muhammad) should be next. I’ve done it before. I’ve won like 10 fights and didn’t get a title shot. So, what makes him different or more privileged.”

“So, Colby’s (Covington) already skipped the line already, let’s see who’s next,” Leon Edwards explained. “But like I said, this is the ‘Rocky’ era, it’s my era now and I’ll keep reigning, whoever’s next. It doesn’t matter, they’re all similar styles anyways. All boxers and wrestlers, it’s what I’ve built my career on. So, whoever comes next, it’s whatever, you know.”

Who do you want to see Leon Edwards fight in his next UFC outing?

Leon Edwards – Islam Makhachev super fight axed by veteran UFC favorite: ‘Stay in your freaking divisions’

A much discussed welterweight title fight between Octagon champions, Leon Edwards and his lightweight counterpart, Islam Makhachev has been…

A much discussed welterweight title fight between Octagon champions, Leon Edwards and his lightweight counterpart, Islam Makhachev has been firmly axed by former lightweight contender turned color-commentator, who urged fighters to stay in their weight classes and defend their respective titles.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 296 earlier this month, successfully defending his divisional crown for the second time in a one-sided unanimous decision win over arch-rival and former interim titleholder, Colby Covington.

As for Makhachev, the Russian favorite lodged his own successful defense of the lightweight title for the second time back in October, stopping two-time challenger, Alexander Volkanovski with a hellacious opening round high-kick KO win.

And in the aftermath of Birmingham native, Edwards’ one-sided shutout win over Covington, the above-mentioned, Makhachev weighed up a welterweight move, claiming a fight against Edwards must be next for him.

Leon Edwards urged to avoid Islam Makhachev fight

However, as far as Felder – who has been linked with his own return potentially at UFC 300, is concerned, talk of two-weight champions should be put on the back burner indefinitely.

“We established that [Belal Muhammad] is the number one contender, you’re [Leon Edwards] also saying that you want to break Georges St-Pierre [title defense] record, but then we got Islam Makhachev out there saying he should be next for the welterweight belt,” Paul Felder said on the UFC ‘Round-Up’ show. “Guys, stay in your freaking divisions, reign over your dvisions. Can we get dominant champions before you all star wanting to fight for other belts?”

“It didn’t used to be like that this,” Felder explained. “The guys that did this in the beginning – obviously Conor (McGregor) is an exception. He did it, it was craziness. He was a superstar. (Daniel Cormier) did it because he earned it and was a 205’er. Amanda Nunes earned it. Now it’s just like everyone and their mother wants to be able to be a double champ. And it’s like, ‘Well, how about you get a whole lot of title defenses first, then you go and stpe up?’”

Who wins in a future fight: Leon Edwards or Islam Makhachev?