Josh Emmett ahead of UFC on ESPN 11: ‘I’m the hardest hitting puncher’ at featherweight

Josh Emmett ahead of UFC on ESPN 11: ‘I’m the hardest hitting puncher’ at featherweight

Josh Emmett is confident the power in his hands will prove beneficial Saturday when he meets Shane Burgos in the UFC on ESPN 11 co-main event.

There’s no shortage of fighters at featherweight who carry a knockout threat, but when it comes to the ability to put someone out clean with one shot, Emmett (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) views himself on a different level, and the numbers back it up going into the showdown with Burgos (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC).

“I always said I feel like I’m the hardest hitting puncher in the featherweight division,” Emmett told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during Thursday’s UFC on ESPN 11 virtual media day. “I saw some stats that just came out and in 15 minutes (of cage time) I average 2.68 knockdowns, and that’s the No. 1 spot. I’ve been an athlete my entire life, and I’m good at whatever I do, but I excel at wrestling, I excel in mixed martial arts and anything can happen in a fight, but I do feel like I’m the most athletic person in the division, as well.”

Emmett will have another chance to show how dangerous he is when he takes on Burgos in the UFC on ESPN 11 co-headliner, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and airs on ESPN/ESPN+.

Since dropping to featherweight in October 2017, Emmett has gone 4-1. He’s landed eight knockdowns in those five fights, further proving the point about his power. Carrying that type of weight in his hands can be a blessing and a curse, though, and Emmett said it’s crucial to find a happy medium in his approach.

“If I can just stick to a game plan and be 100 percent on and not make any mistakes in the 15 minutes, and the best me shows up on Saturday night, no one can beat me,” Emmett said.

Emmett and Burgos each have suffered only one blemish on their record in UFC featherweight competition. The winner is looking to break through to the next tier of contenders in a talent-rich weight class, and Emmett won’t accept anything less.

“This is the fight game,” Emmett said. “I understand all the trash talk and stuff, but that’s not me. I’m going to go in there, I’m going to look to finish the fight, and I’m exciting every time I fight whatever I’m doing. I feel like a big win Saturday night, and I make another statement then I’ll get that push I deserve. I want someone in front of me this time instead of being the gatekeeper, fighting all these prospects and all these vets behind me. I want someone at the top.”