UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett is expecting to make a mockery of his underdog status in this weekend’s main event.
Emmett is set to return from a 16-month layoff at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night inside the Apex, having not competed since his sickening knockout of Bryce Mitchell in December 2023.
In his bid to regain momentum after that memorable result, the 40-year-old is tasked with stalling the rise of undefeated up-and-comer Lerone Murphy in the headline spot on April 5.
Successfully doing so would see Emmett upset the odds. As pointed out to him at UFC Vegas 105 media day on Wednesday, the betting line currently has the veteran at +275.
“The people that are betting, they love it when I’m a huge underdog,” Josh Emmett said. “What, +275? Bet the house.”
The root of Emmett’s confidence? The belief that his already obscene power has only increased during his time away.
“Over the last 14 months, we’ve been working on my power,” he said. “I promise you I’m so much more powerful than I was, so wait till that right hand connects.”
The addition of even more power to Emmett’s dynamite hands is a scary prospect for the featherweight division and, in particular, Murphy.
“The Miracle” has climbed into the 145-pound top 10 with a 7-0-1 record. He most recently got the better of the always game Dan Ige in Abu Dhabi last October.
