Josh Emmett feels the featherweight GOAT conversation will be laid to rest depending on how things shake out on Saturday.
The UFC featherweight title contender thinks Volkanovski is on the verge of becoming the greatest of all time in the weight class. Volkanovski returns to the cage at UFC 276, where he attempts to defend his title once again against former champion Max Holloway.
This will be Volkanovski’s fourth title defense. He already beat Holloway twice in the past, and holds a win over the only other former champion of the division, Jose Aldo.
Emmett (18-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) feels Volkanovski will cement his standing as the featherweight GOAT if he were to notch a third win over Holloway.
“Yeah, how can it not?,” Emmett told MMA Junkie. “He’s beat Aldo and Max Holloway has beat Aldo a few times, and then if Volkanovski beats Max three times – I mean, look at the guys he’s fought. He fought my teammate Chad Mendes, and he continues to get better and better. How can you argue against that, you know what I mean?”
Emmett believes Holloway is a game opponent and is capable of dethroning the champion. However, he does feel Volkanovski has the edge and expects him to retain his title on Saturday.
“It’s hard for me to go against the champion,” Emmett said. “It’s hard for me to pick against the champion that is also in a 20-plus fight winning streak, somebody that’s undefeated in the UFC and has beaten all these legends and all-time greats and continues to impress and get better and better.
“I can see it going either way, but I’m leaning towards the champion Volkanovski. I believe he got the job done twice, and I think he’s going to do so again.”
In regards to his own career, Emmett is coming off a win over fellow top contender Calvin Kattar in the main event of UFC on ESPN 37. He now finds himself on a five-fight winning streak and hungry to fight for the title.
“I do feel that fight was a title eliminator,” Emmett said when asked about his win over Kattar. “I know it was. That was a No. 1 contender spot. … I feel like regardless, I’m fighting the winner of that next fight on July 2. That’s the only fight to make. I’m the only one that hasn’t fought the top of the division, and I’ve been ready all of my career.”
