Our Top Betting Pick for UFC on ABC 5
UFC Pick: Josh Emmett +260 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Jacksonville, Florida, stand up because the UFC is back in town for UFC on ABC 5 this weekend as a clash of featherweight elites is set for the evening’s main event, and we’re covering all your betting needs.
Undefeated prodigy Ilia Topuria looks to make his way into title contention, but he’ll have to overcome a formidable opponent in Josh Emmett.
Read on for our complete betting guide with an early preview of the UFC on ABC 5 main event clash between Emmett and Topuria, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC first-look betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
Emmett vs. Topuria Key Facts
- Emmett is 5-1 in his last 6 fights.
- Emmett is a proven 5-round fighter with notable KO power.
- Topuria has been rocked twice in his previous two fights.
UFC on ABC 5 Information
- When: Saturday, June 24, 2023 – 11:30 AM EDT
- Where: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida
- Scheduled Bouts: 14
- Main Event: Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria
- Moneyline Probability: Emmett – 27.8% (+260) / Topuria – 75.6% (-310)
UFC Vegas on ABC 5 Emmett vs. Topuria: Tale of the Tape
Josh Emmett
- Age: 38
- Height: 5’6”
- Reach: 70”
- Nationality: United States
- Affiliation: Team Alpha Male
- Current Streak: 1 loss
- Pro MMA Record: 18-3-0
- UFC Record: 9-3 [3 KO/TKO, 6 decisions]
- Moneyline Betting History (Last 3): +155 (lost), +200 (won), -130 (won)
Ilia Topuria
- Age: 26
- Height: 5’7”
- Reach: 69”
- Nationality: Georgia
- Affiliation: Climent Club
- Current Streak: 13 wins
- Pro MMA Record: 13-0-0
- UFC Record: 5-0 [3 KO/TKOs, 1 submission, 1 decision]
- Moneyline Betting History (Last 3): -150 (lost), -600 (won), -255 (lost)
UFC on ABC 5 Main Event Profiles
Josh Emmett
A career in combat sports for Josh Emmett was sparked on the wrestling mats, where he reached a collegiate level through 14 years of experience. This comes as a surprise to some; due to the lack of offensive grappling and punching power he’s most known for in mixed martial arts.
Now, in the latter stage of his thirties, Emmett has run through the featherweight division’s finest, including Calvin Kattar, Dan Ige, and Mirsad Bektic. I’ve highlighted those three opponents because they boast a combined MMA record of 51-10-0, and his lone loss since 2018 was against the current interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez.
We have no doubts that Emmett will be confident in handing Topuria the first loss of his professional career, he achieved such a feat against Bektic in 2019, so the pressure of an unbeaten prospect won’t be an issue.
Emmett Combat Sports Accomplishments
- UFC Performance of the Night (One time)
- UFC Fight of the Night (Two times)
- WCFC Lightweight Champion (One time)
- ISCF Pro California Lightweight Champion (One time)
UFC Pick: Josh Emmett +260 at BetOnline [1u to win 2.60u]
Ilia Topuria
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with a background in Greco-Roman wrestling would make you believe that Ilia Topuria is all about his grappling. However, since joining the UFC featherweight division in 2020, he’s riding a 5-0-win streak, with three of those contests ending by way of knockout – so you know he isn’t shy in the striking department.
With that said, offensive wrestling has been a huge assistance during his career. With a 15-0 pro-MMA record, 62% of those successful outings were stopped after a wrestling masterclass ended with some form of a chokehold.
Topuria will now fight a No.4-ranked Josh Emmett returning from a losing title opportunity. Another significant win will surely put him next in line for the gold, so we know he’ll treat this weekend’s bout as one of the most important fights of his career.
Topuria Combat Sports Accomplishments
- UFC Performance of the Night (Two times)
- UFC Fight of the Night (One time)
- MFE Featherweight Champion (One time)
UFC Pick: Ilia Topuria -310 at BetOnline
UFC on ABC 5 Skillset Analysis: Styles Make Fights
Watching Topuria get rocked on his feet in his bouts versus Bryce Mitchell and Jai Herbert doesn’t give me much confidence in his ability to take shots; his striking defense is questionable at the best of times, and although his durability pulled through in those contests, Emmett will be the hardest hitter he’s faced to date.
Furthermore, Emmett’s wrestling accolades will be enough to prevent a one-way grapple fest, and his 5-round experience is a huge factor. There have been moments where Topuria has displayed signs of fading beyond the second round, and this is a huge concern when he’s met with brutal power shots from the more seasoned striker.
Emmett Moneyline: The UFC on ABC 5 Best Bet Formula
The UFC odds have placed Topuria at a ridiculous price of -310, and although he’s a well-versed, highly skilled athlete in all facets of mixed martial arts, so is Emmett.
The veteran can undoubtedly season the up-and-comer this weekend, and due to the hefty price tag, there isn’t value to found on a fighter in Topuria that hasn’t looked as untouchable as his record would suggest.
UFC Pick: Josh Emmett +260 at BetOnline [1u to win 2.60u]
UFC on ABC 5 Main Card & Odds
- Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria [UFC featherweight main event bout]
- Amanda Ribas vs. Maycee Barber [UFC co-main women’s flyweight bout]
- Justin Tafa vs. Austin Lane [UFC heavyweight bout]
- David Onama vs. Gabriel Santos [UFC featherweight bout]
- Brendan Allen vs. Bruno Silva [UFC middleweight bout]
UFC on ABC 5 Preliminary Card & Odds
- Neil Magny vs. Philip Rowe [UFC welterweight bout]
- Randy Brown vs. Wellington Turman [UFC middleweight bout]
- Mateusz Rebecki vs. Loik Radzhabov [UFC lightweight bout]
- Tabatha Ricci vs. Gillian Robertson [UFC women’s strawweight bout]
- Zhalgas Zhumagulov vs. Joshua Van [UFC flyweight bout]
- Trevor Peek vs. Jose Mariscal [UFC lightweight bout]
- Jamall Emmers vs. Jack Jenkins [UFC featherweight bout]
- Tatsuro Taira vs. Kleydson Rodrigues [UFC flyweight bout]
- Cody Brundage vs. Sedriques Dumas [UFC middleweight bout]
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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