Breaking: Featherweight banger between Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria expected to headline UFC event in June

It appears as though a featherweight banger between Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria is expected to headline an upcoming UFC Fight Night event scheduled for June 17. The venue is yet to be announced, but based on recent Fight Night announcements, it doesn't seem as though it will be taking place at the Apex.

Emmett will be looking to get back on track and back in the featherweight title picture as he most recently lost to Yair Rodriguez at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. The bout was contested for the interim featherweight championship, with the winner setting themselves up for a unification bout with reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Prior to his submission loss to Rodriguez, Emmett was riding an impressive 5-fight winning streak that included wins over the likes of Michael Johnson, Shane Burgos, and Calvin Kattar. The 38-year-old could put himself back into title contention should he defeat a highly touted featherweight prospect.

Topuria has been on a tear since joining the UFC in 2020. He has an unbeaten record of 13-0, with 12 of his wins coming via submission or knockout. The 26-year-old could is currently the No.9 ranked featherweight and could make a significant jump in the rankings should he defeat Emmett.

'El Matador' most recently handed Bryce Mitchell the first loss of his career in spectacular fashion as he submitted him with an arm-triangle choke. It's no secret that he'd like to fight Paddy Pimblett, but if he continues to have success at 145lbs, that bout could be something that's discussed in the future.

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UFC announces a return to Charlotte, North Carolina

Despite not having an event scheduled for this weekend, it didn't stop the UFC from making an announcement as they announced that they will be returning to Charlotte, North Carolina for Fight Night 224 on May 13.

The event will be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Johnny Walker and former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith. 'Lionheart' has an opportunity to make a case for a title shot as he was originally scheduled to fight reigning light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, however, Dana White instead booked Hill vs. Glover Teixeira for the vacant title this past January.

Walker also has a lot at stake as a win over Smith could put in him in the title picture at 205lbs, especially considering that Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fought each other to a split draw when they had their opportunity to become champion.