Josh Emmett eyes return to UFC lightweight division for next fight

Veteran UFC featherweight Josh Emmett is considering a move back to lightweight for his next bout as he attempts to reverse a concerning 1-5 skid that has included three straight losses. The 41-year-old fighter, who was knocked out by Kevin Vallejos in the UFC Vegas 114 main event this past March, believes the grueling weight cut to 145 pounds may be taking a toll on his performances.

"It's so hard and I think it is affecting my performances," Emmett told MMA Fighting. "I think my next fight, you guys will see me back at lightweight." He aims to return between October and early December, marking his return to the 155-pound division where he launched his MMA career with a 9-0 record and won two regional championships before joining the UFC in 2016.

Emmett's early UFC tenure at lightweight showed promise with two victories, but a split-decision loss to Desmond Green prompted the drop to featherweight. At 145 pounds, he won six of seven fights and earned an interim title shot at UFC 284, only to be submitted by Yair Rodriguez. Since then, he has posted just one victory in multiple fights.

Emmett acknowledges that lightweight remains highly competitive but views it as his natural weight class. "The average male size is anyone from featherweight to lightweight, so I feel like those are the most competitive divisions," he said. Looking beyond the UFC, the lifelong wrestler has expressed interest in exploring opportunities with RAF, a wrestling-focused combat promotion, potentially competing in six- or seven-minute wrestling matches without striking involved—a prospect that genuinely excites him given his extensive amateur and college wrestling background.