At UFC 320 in Las Vegas, Josh Emmett faced surging featherweight Youssef Zalal. Emmett, known for his explosive knockouts and durability, started aggressively but was quickly neutralized by Zalal’s superior grappling. Zalal secured a takedown and expertly transitioned to an armbar, forcing Emmett to submit just 1:38 into the first round. The loss marks back-to-back defeats for Emmett, who now finds himself searching for momentum after a run near the top of the division.
The next logical step for Emmett is a bout against Jean Silva. Silva, coming off a dramatic war with Diego Lopes at Noche UFC, remains one of the division’s hottest prospects despite his recent loss. A matchup between Emmett and Silva is both stylistically exciting and significant for the featherweight rankings.
Both men are proven finishers. Emmett brings powerful boxing and fight-changing one-punch power, while Silva’s aggressive striking and finishing instincts have produced highlight-reel knockouts. For Emmett, a win over Silva would put him right back in the mix. For Silva, it’s a chance to bounce back and claim a seasoned veteran scalp as he climbs toward title contention.
Last Five Fights – Josh Emmett:
1. Loss to Youssef Zalal – Submission (armbar), UFC 320 (October 4, 2025)
2. Loss to Lerone Murphy – Unanimous Decision, UFC Fight Night (June 14, 2025)
3. Win over Bryce Mitchell – KO (punch), UFC 308 (January 18, 2025)
4. Loss to Ilia Topuria – Decision (unanimous), UFC 289 (June 24, 2024)
5. Loss to Yair Rodriguez – Submission (triangle choke), UFC 284 (February 12, 2023)
Last Five Fights – Jean Silva:
1. Loss to Diego Lopes – KO/TKO (punches), Noche UFC: Lopes vs. Silva (September 14, 2025)
2. Win over Bryce Mitchell – Submission (guillotine choke), UFC 314 (April 13, 2025)
3. Win over Melsik Baghdasaryan – KO/TKO (punches), UFC Fight Night (February 23, 2025)
4. Win over Drew Dober – TKO (doctor stoppage), UFC Fight Night (July 14, 2024)
5. Win over Charles Jourdain – KO/TKO (punches), UFC 303 (June 30, 2024)
A fight between Emmett and Silva is an action-packed crossroads matchup, offering a potential for wild exchanges and career-defining stakes for both featherweights.