Josh Emmett targets lightweight return after admitting 145-pound cut

Josh Emmett plans to abandon featherweight and return to lightweight after acknowledging the toll his weight cut has taken on his recent performances.

The 41-year-old, who dropped to 145 pounds in 2017 after starting his UFC career at 155, has dropped three straight and five of his last six. He told MMA Fighting the cut has become unsustainable. "I'll definitely fight before the end of the year," he said. "Maybe anywhere from October to early December, and I might go back up to 155. Just that the cut to '45 is just crazy."

Weight cut affecting performances, Emmett says

Emmett went further, linking the drain to his cage results. "It's so hard, and I think it is affecting my performances," he said. "I think for my next fight, you guys will see me back at lightweight."

The American challenged for the interim featherweight strap in 2023, losing by submission to Yair Rodriguez. He owns featherweight wins over Bryce Mitchell, Dan Ige, and Calvin Kattar, but his recent slide has prompted the rethink.

Emmett said he expects to book his lightweight return somewhere between October and early December.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Josh Emmett admits 145-pound cut hurting performance, targets return to 155