Ilia Topuria proved he belongs with the featherweight elite on Saturday when he extended his unbeaten run against Josh Emmett in the UFC on ABC 5 headliner.
Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) got the signature win of his career thus far when he defeated former interim title challenger Emmett (18-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) by lopsided unanimous decision in their main event showdown at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Topuria’s victory over Emmett at UFC on ABC 5.
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MMA Junkie
We've arrived at the #UFCJacksonville main event!
Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria take center stage in this featherweight banger!
Full coverage: https://t.co/6TJ2lHOTi9 pic.twitter.com/fZwvuRoQng
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 24, 2023
Fightnomics Reed
Looking like Topuria will close somewhere around -350. Only slight movement since opening, and it was behind Topuria as a favorite.
Is he the next big thing, or is Emmett going to offer a reality check? 🤷🏻♂️#UFCJacksonville #PourTheWine 🍷 https://t.co/YLC03B91AI
— Fightnomics Reed (@Fightnomics) June 24, 2023
UFC
Football legend @SergioRamos is in the building and riding with @TopuriaIlia at #UFCJacksonville 👊⚽️ pic.twitter.com/QpN2GlDpkl
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
UFC
Taking it all in.
@TopuriaIlia | #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/0nqMw9Uv7p— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
UFC
Business will be handled 👔@JoshEmmettUFC | #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/kDjyHpkFd3
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
UFC
LET'S DO THIS #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/UnrGdhsLvY
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 24, 2023
Cageside Press
1-2 for Emmett but the guard is up. Topuria with the jab then uppercut on the Emmett entry. BIG left hook for Topuria. Emmett right hand.
Another. Emmett looking to land a right to the body.
Topuria right hand. Topuria in with a combo! Emmett misses wide. #UFCJacksonville
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) June 24, 2023
Caposa
Emmett is swinging wild out there
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 24, 2023
Gorgeous George
These guys are snipers. Don't blink, they are throwing heat in the main event at #UFCJacksonville
— Gorgeous George (@MMAJunkieGeorge) June 24, 2023
Fight Ghost
Emmett incredibly wild and reckless thus far. Topuria carving him up. #UFCJacksonville
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) June 24, 2023
Saidyokub Kakrahmanov
Ilia still 26 years old that’s crazy to me
— Saidyokub Kakhramonov (@SaidYokubMMA) June 24, 2023
Alan Jouban
High level movement and efficient striking from Topuria. #UFCJacksonville
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 24, 2023
Kevin Iole
Topuria takes first round, 10-9. He boxed beautifully and even though he took a few good kicks from Emmett late, he was in control throughout. #UFConABC5
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) June 24, 2023
Ian Parker
Best Bet #6 Emmett/Topuria to start round 2 ✅ First round went exactly as predicted @bokamotoESPN @espnmma #UFCJacksonville
— Ian Parker (@IanParkerMMA) June 24, 2023
Eric Nicksick
Great first round by both men, but the round goes to Topuria on damage. #UFCJacksonville
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) June 24, 2023
Sean Sheehan
20-18 Topuria #UFCJacksonville
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) June 24, 2023
Luke Thomas
Topuria drops Emmett in the second and Emmett’s face is starting to look like a mess. A measured Topuria in control through two rounds.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) June 24, 2023
Paul Felder
This young man has it. Boxing master class so far. Faints on point. Great work
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) June 24, 2023
Brian Kelleher
The difference in this fight is Emmett is just throwing hard to throw hard and touporia is calculating when he throws and seeing where he is throwing
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 24, 2023
Dan Tom
I know I took a flier on Emmett in this spot, but man it’s nice to see Topuria forced to a fight a more disciplined fight, suffocating Emmett with his footwork, feints and counters. Really good stuff. #UFCJacksonville
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) June 24, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Topuria is so controlled and always in position to punch and accurate. Impressive. #UFCJacksonville
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) June 24, 2023
Paul Felder
However… Josh is one clean connection from destroying this man’s hype. Great main event
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) June 24, 2023
Ben Fowlkes
Did … did Dom Cruz just say that cauliflower ear develops to help protect the brain?
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 24, 2023
Aleksandar Rakic
What a main event fight #UFCJacksonville
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) June 24, 2023
Simon Samano
This is Ilia Topuria announcing his arrival as an elite featherweight. He is *putting it on* Josh Emmett. #UFCJacksonville
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) June 24, 2023
Robert Joyner
Dr should probably stop this fight after third round over Emmett's eye, but this is MMA where fighter health is of little consequence, so it will go on…
— Robert Joyner (@robnashville) June 24, 2023
Ben Askren
Dude how is Emmett still standing? His face is a mess 🤮
— Funky (@Benaskren) June 24, 2023
Danny Segura
I have it 30-27, Topuria. Fun fight. #UFCJacksonville
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 24, 2023
UFC
To championship rounds we go!!!! #UFCJacksonville is LIVE on @ABCNetwork! pic.twitter.com/EfgA6IOMNV
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
Gorgeous George
There's no way both guys shouldn't go home with all their money. This main event is insane. They are putting on a show on ABC.
All main eventers should get all their money up front.
We still have 10 mins left! Whew! Today has been nuts.#UFCJacksonville
— Gorgeous George (@MMAJunkieGeorge) June 24, 2023
Teddy Atlas
One chance that Emmett has is to time Topuria with a straight right when Topuria leads with hook. #UFCJacksonville
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) June 24, 2023
Mike Malott
Warrior. @JoshEmmettUFC #UFCJacksonville
— Proper. Mike Malott (@Michael_Malott) June 24, 2023
Alan Jouban
Emmett’s as game as they come. #UFCJacksonville
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 24, 2023
Caposa
What the fuck is Josh Emmett made of
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 24, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Man all heart
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 24, 2023
UFC
THIS MAIN EVENT THOUGH 😱 #UFCJacksonville
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
Jared Gordon
Corner should stop it
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) June 24, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
The heart of Josh Emmett can NEVER be questioned! Wow! Topuria is putting on a showcase performance! #UFCJacksonville
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 24, 2023
Paul Felder
🏳️ call it
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) June 24, 2023
Jason
Stop this fight. MMA corners are so irresponsible. Josh Emmett has taken way too much damage. He can’t win a decision. End it. #UFConABC5
— Jason (@JasonAmadi) June 24, 2023
UFC
All heart. #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/KwlMUCgHUo
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
Terrance McKinney
Next level toughness respect to Emmett dudes a dog
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) June 24, 2023
MMA Junkie
#UFCJacksonville results: Ilia Topuria (@TopuriaIlia) def. Josh Emmett via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-42, 49-45)
Full coverage: https://t.co/6TJ2lHOTi9 pic.twitter.com/FB5UIZtTSM
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 24, 2023
Ben Askren
Wow what a performance form Ilia Toupuria!! This guy is gonna challenge for a belt in the not too distant future
— Funky (@Benaskren) June 24, 2023
UFC
WHAT A FIGHT, FOLKS!!!!!! 👏👏👏 #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/lIgir9SW4s
— UFC (@ufc) June 24, 2023
Alan Jouban
Topuria might be the best boxer in the UFC after that performance. #ufcjacksonville
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 24, 2023
Sodiq Yusuff
Very impressive performance by Topuria
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) June 24, 2023
UFC
Could @TopuriaIlia be bringing a championship back to Alicante, Spain? 🏆
Nothing but bright things on the horizon for 🇬🇪🇪🇸 El Matador! #UFCJacksonville pic.twitter.com/PUqk35cB10
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 24, 2023
MMA Junkie
When was the last time you saw a 10-7 score? 🤔 Check out all the scorecards from #UFCJacksonville, including that rarity from Ilia Topuria in the main event against Josh Emmett. https://t.co/mD8B6twVxt
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 24, 2023
Chris Curtis
As someone who prides himself on his defense I just have to tip my hat to Topuria. So many of you guys watched the fight but missed much of the defensive nuances he showed in there. Absolutely beautiful. I always appreciate an in the pocket defensive masterclass. Take a bow, sir.
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) June 24, 2023
Marc Raimondi
According to @ESPNStatsInfo, there have only been three other 50-42 scorecards in UFC history: Max Holloway’s win over Calvin Kattar in 2021, Rich Franklin’s victory over David Loiseau in 2006 and Dave Menne’s win over Gil Castillo in 2001.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) June 24, 2023
