Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett: UFC 284 Odds, Prediction

Alexander Volkanovski is the current Featherweight champ but he’s moving up to Lightweight to challenge Islam Makhachev in the main event of the evening. That’s opened up a shot for Rodriguez and Emmett to claim the interim title. Rodriguez is favoured to win it but will he seize the opportunity when they clash in Perth, Australia?

The UFC experts deem Rodriguez a -155 favourite on the MMA odds.

Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez emphasized that he didn’t want to fight for an interim title but in the end, that’s exactly what he’s going to do. Obviously, the circumstances changed when Volkanovski moved up to Lightweight and vacated the title – for now.

Rodriguez is coming off a knockout win over Brian Ortega but some will question why he’s favored here – at least by this number. The win over Ortega was his first in three years. It’s not that he was on a losing streak – his only loss since 2018 was to Max Holloway – but he’s not exactly been all that active. He beat Ortega in July of 2022 and lost to Holloway in November of 2021. Prior to that, his last fight was in October of 2019.

One of the reasons he’s favoured is that he should have the physical edge in this tilt. He is five inches taller than his opponent and has a one-inch reach advantage. He’s also fought the best of the best in the division and has compiled a record of 14-3 while Emmett has not. And another clear-cut edge is that El Pantera is still just 30 years old while Emmett is 37.

If Rodriguez can get a decisive win here, he will not only get the belt but be the top dog in the division.

Josh Emmett

Emmett is one of the hottest fighters in the Featherweight Division as he’s won five in a row. The question is whether that’s a big compliment to him or whether the division is just a little weak right now. He knocked out Michael Johnson and Mirsad Bektic, then earned unanimous decision wins over Shane Burgos and Dan Ige, then picked up a split decision win over Calvin Kattar in his latest bout.

There’s no question that Emmett has more momentum between the two fighters but he’s also 37 years old, so he’s not exactly in his prime. He connects on 4.28 significant strikes per minute but absorbs 4.29. The other concern is simply the calibre of opponents he’s faced. Kattar is probably the top talent he’s come across, but Kattar has now lost three of his last four, and four of his last seven. Worse yet, many thought Emmett should have lost his split decision.

Emmett is getting a title shot but hasn’t fought a single fighter in the top five of the rankings. As long as Rodriguez is focused and sharp here, he’ll get the win.

Rodriguez vs. Emmett Prediction

 Rodriguez via decision