Josh Emmett’s ungodly punching power was on full display when he fought Michael Johnson in 2019.
The longtime featherweight veteran is widely regarded as one of the biggest hitters in the UFC.
Most famously, the 40-year-old left Bryce Mitchell twitching on the floor after a one-shot KO in 2023.
However, Josh Emmett‘s resume also includes a highlight-reel worthy win over another feared puncher.
Josh Emmett knocked the snot out of Michael Johnson
In February 2018, Emmett suffered the first and only KO loss of his career at the hands of Jeremy Stephens, who elbowed him through the mat to win their battle of the UFC bogeymen.
13 months later, Emmett made his comeback against another heavy puncher, Michael Johnson.
‘The Menace’ holds high-profile wins over Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier, whom he knocked out cold.
Johnson has also shared the Octagon with Nate Diaz, Justin Gaethje, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Emmett couldn’t have been given a much harder comeback fight than a man with one-hitter quitter power who can beat world-class lightweights when he’s on form.
After two rounds, Emmett was down on the scorecards and staring at the possibility of a second straight defeat – but then he took his fate away from the judges by detonating a bomb on Johnson’s jaw.
Emmett cracked his opponent with a massive overhand right that had him out before he touched the floor.
Slow-motion replays show that snot flew from Johnson’s nose and across the cage as he was knocked out with just 46 seconds left on the clock.
What’s next for Josh Emmett?
Emmett is set to return to MMA for the first time since winning at UFC 296 in December 2023.
On Saturday night, he’ll square off against top 145lb contender Lerone Murphy in the UFC Vegas 105 main event.
Whoever wins will be well placed to face Alexander Volkanovski or Diego Lopes after their featherweight title fight at UFC 314 on April 12.
First things first, Emmett is focused on delivering a ‘special’ performance to ruin Murphy’s perfect record.
“I could have fought, but I feel like I owe it to myself, my coaches, my wife, my family, my fans, and the UFC. The last handful of years, I’ve not been fighting at my best,” he said while explaining his 16-month layoff during the UFC Vegas 105 media day.
“I’ve been fighting at a fraction of myself. So I had to work on myself and get back to 100 percent, and now I’m fighting and training the way I used to. You guys are gonna see something special Saturday night.
“I know what 100 percent feels like, and I know what 30 percent feels like. Which is how I’ve been fighting the last few years against the best guys in the world.
“And yeah, there are fights I definitely want back. But the first thing is, I’ve got to get through Lerone Murphy.”
