Josh Emmett shuts down Youssef Zalal's UFC callout: 'I would like to fight big name guys'

USA Today

4 days ago

LAS VEGAS – Josh Emmett has some bad news for Youssef Zalal: He's not down to fight him.
Emmett (19-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) a former UFC interim title challenger, was recently called out by rising contender Zalal (17-5-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio at UFC X. MMA Junkie Radio then went straight to the source and asked Emmett if he'd be down to throw down with Zalal. The answer was no.
"I would like to fight big name guys," Emmett said. "I think he's a good guy, but I'm the guy that's always fighting these up-and-coming, undefeated prospects. I just want big, exciting fights. I don't want to just fight people behind me. Maybe he beats a few guys in front of me, and maybe we'll run it."
Emmett, 40, most recently fought in April when he lost a unanimous decision to top contender Lerone Murphy. Prior to that, he scored one of the most brutal knockouts of 2023 when he put Bryce Mitchell's lights out.
Team Alpha Male's Emmett isn't sure what's next for his career, given the state of the featherweight division, but he hopes to get the answer soon. He ideally wants to return in October against a fellow veteran.
"I'm trying to figure that out now, but I feel like a lot of guys in the featherweight division are all booked right now, so hopefully in the next two or three weeks we figure out and lock in an opponent," Emmett said. "I want to fight as soon as possible."