The UFC will return to a familiar venue Saturday when it heads to Jacksonville for UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Topuria featuring ranked featherweight contenders Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria in the main event. The five-round fight that carries title-shot implications will close the curtain on the main UFC fight card (3 p.m. ET) from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena with the prelims beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET. The venue became a second home of sorts for the UFC during the pandemic as the state of Florida was one of few that was willing to sanction any type of sporting event. The promotion held several events there in 2020 and 2021, and UFC president Dana White promised to return there once normal business operations resumed. The No. 5-ranked Emmett looks to defend his position in the rankings against the No. 8-ranked Topuria, who is one of the promotion's fastest-rising prospects.
Topuria is a -325 betting favorite (risk $325 to win $100), while Emmett is priced at +265 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Topuria odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, women's flyweight contenders collide as Amanda Ribas (-195) meets Maycee Barber (+165). Before locking in any UFC Fight Night picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine combat expert Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his selections included advising SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Topuria in sight, Vithlani has scoured the UFC fight card from top to bottom and released his top MMA picks. Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks are only available at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Topuria preview
Although there are numerous ranked competitors ahead of Emmett and Topuria, the winner of Saturday's main event could easily appear in the next title fight. Champion Alexander Volkanovski defends the belt next month at UFC 290 against Rodriguez, who stopped Emmett in the second round of their interim title bout.
Even so, Emmett or Topuria could get the next title shot because other title contenders such as No. 2-ranked Max Holloway and No. 3-ranked Brian Ortega, already have had multiple title shots. Moreover, No. 4-ranked Arnold Allen is coming off a loss to Holloway.
Emmett (18-3) is a seven-year UFC veteran and a bit of a late bloomer who earned the interim title shot behind the strength of a five-fight winning streak. The 38-year-old Phoenix native is known for his relentless pace, power and durability.
Emmett appeared outclassed by the versatile Rodriguez and could face the same dilemma against Topuria (13-0), who is likely the most celebrated featherweight prospect since Holloway. The Georgian fighter has shown explosive striking along with a dominant ground game while running through his first five UFC opponents.
In his last outing, at UFC 282 in December, Topuria was matched against fellow undefeated prospect Bryce Mitchell. Topuria was just a modest betting favorite but dominated from the outset, tagging Mitchell with repeated strikes before finishing him by submission in the second round. You can only see who to pick at UFC Fight Night here.
Top UFC Fight Night predictions
One of Vithlani's UFC Fight Night picks: He is siding with Brendan Allen (-180) to get his hand raised against Bruno Silva (+155) in a matchup of middleweight contenders to kick off the main card.
The No. 12-ranked Allen (21-5) was once perhaps the division's hottest prospect before his trajectory was derailed by losses to veteran contenders Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis. But the 27-year-old South Carolina native has rebounded with four consecutive victories to return to the rankings and has earned the grappling specialist two consecutive performance bonuses.
Silva (23-8) is a former M-1 Challenge middleweight champion who started his UFC career with three straight knockout victories before suffering back-to-back losses. The 33-year-old Brazilian power puncher is looking to build off a stoppage win over veteran contender Brad Tavares in April.
"Allen has strong takedowns, lethal ground-and-pound and slick submissions. He should also have a cardio advantage," Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else to back here.
How to make UFC Fight Night picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Emmett vs. Topuria and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He's backing a fighter who "is a high-level grappler" to emerge with a win. See Vithlani's picks and analysis at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Topuria, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Topuria, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card
See full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions, best bets here.
Josh Emmett (+265) vs. Ilia Topuria (-325)
Amanda Ribas (-195) vs. Maycee Barber (+165)
Cody Brundage (-175) vs. Sedriques Dumas (+150)
Gabriel Santos (-215) vs. David Onama (+185)
Brendan Allen (-180) vs. Bruno Silva (+155)
Neil Magny (-165) vs. Phil Rowe (+140)
Austen Lane (+150) vs. Justin Tafa (-175)
Randy Brown (-225) vs. Wellington Turman (+190)
Tabatha Ricci (-130) vs. Gillian Robertson (+110)
Jamall Emmers (-200) vs. Jack Jenkins (+170)
Trevor Peek (-110) vs. Jose Mariscal (-110)
Tatsuro Taira (-245) vs. Kleydson Rodrigues (+205)
