LAS VEGAS – Josh Emmett is back.
The UFC featherweight contender made a successful return to competition by outpointing Dan Ige to close out the preliminary card of UFC 269. Emmett (17-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), who was coming off a year-and-a-half layoff due to injury, defeated Ige (15-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 on the judges’ scorecards.
UFC 269 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
It was a close and exciting bout that had many ups and downs throughout.
In the first round, Emmett tagged Ige a minute into the fight and dropped him to the canvas. He followed up with ground-and-pound and was briefly reversed just to get then a reversal of his own and end back on top. Ige quickly got back to his feet and the fight resumed in the striking department. Neither fighter landed many significant shots following that exchange.
The power in the hands of @JoshEmmettUFC 🤯#UFC269 pic.twitter.com/8zVqlxjMKA
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
In the second, Ige turned the momentum. The Hawaiian caught Emmett with a left that seemed to wobble him. Ige was having good success with his jab and connecting with combinations while pressuring Emmett. Emmett had a tough time landing in the second.
IGE HAS HIM HURT!
[ @DynamiteDan808 | #UFC269 ] pic.twitter.com/ZlgrBJHsiN
— UFC (@ufc) December 12, 2021
The final round was very competitive. Both Ige and Emmett had their moments. Ige’s jab was very effective and had a couple of uppercuts that connected flush. Emmet also caught Ige’s attention with a few hooks and Ige bleeding from his nose.
The win over Ige marked Emmett’s first fight since besting Shane Burgos in a “Fight of the Night” performance back in June of 2020. Emmett was sidelined for the remainder of 2020 and most of 2021, recovering from an ACL tear on his left knee. The 36-year-old now finds himself on a four-fight winning streak.
Meanwhile, Ige now has back-to-back losses for the first time in his professional MMA career. He had lost a decision to Chan Sung Jung, the “Korean Zombie,” in his previous bout back in June.
Up-to-the-minute results of UFC 269 include:
- Josh Emmett def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Dominick Cruz def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Tai Tuivasa def. Augusto Sakai via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:26
- Bruno Silva def. Jordan Wright via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:28
- Andre Muniz def. Eryk Anders via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:13
- Erin Blanchfield def. Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ryan Hall def. Darrick Minner via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-27)
- Tony Kelley def. Randy Costa via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 4:15
- Gillian Robertson def. Priscila Cachoeira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:59
