UFC 284 goes down this weekend at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. In the co-main event, Yair Rodriguez takes on Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title.
Emmett is currently riding a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent win coming against Calvin Kattar by a closely contested split decision at UFC Austin, whereas Rodriguez returned to winning ways with a TKO win over Brian Ortega after he popped his shoulder. The two will battle in an interim title fight at UFC 284, which will be headlined by featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski, who takes on Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title.
UFC 284: Emmett vs Rodriguez Prediction And Betting Odds
Emmett has quietly been making his way to the top of the division, with an overall record of 18 wins and 2 losses. He’s a wrestling specialist with dynamite in his hands. Rodriguez is one of the most exciting strikers in the featherweight division, and has the ability to land a strike from virtually any angle.
His grappling is a big question mark, however, and if Emmett opts to capitalise on his opponent’s known weakness, he will have success. Emmett hits really hard and has solid striking, but Yair is far more technical and will pick him apart for as long as the fight stays on the feet. Emmett will have to mix things up, and rely on his wrestling.
Statistically, the two fighters are very even in the striking department. Emmett lands a little over four significant strikes per minute on average, whereas Rodriguez lands a little over four-and-a-half. They are very even defensively as well, and absorb a little over four significant strikes per minute on average. Skill-wise, Emmett has the edge in grappling, but interestingly, their stats are very identical in that department as well. Emmett lands one takedown per 15 minutes, whereas Rodriguez lands a little less than one. Emmett has better takedown accuracy, whereas Rodriguez has a better submission average.
All in all, it will be a great fight between two of the toughest guys in the division, and it all comes down to Emmett’s game plan. Expect Emmett to keep the fight on the feet, with Rodriguez picking him apart and earning a stoppage win.
Prediction: Yair Rodriguez by TKO
Betting Odds:
Yair Rodriguez (-165)
Josh Emmett (+140)
Who do you think will win the interim featherweight title fight between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett at UFC 284?
