UFC returns to Jacksonville with another action-packed card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Headlining the event will be a thrilling featherweight contenders’ bout between No. 5 ranked Josh Emmett and surging No. 9 Ilia Topuria.

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Action News Jax first told you at the end of April that UFC President Dana White was returning to Jacksonville after visiting early on during the COVID-19 pandemic followed by 2021 and 2022 showings in front of a packed house.

Related Story: UFC president Dana White announces return to Jacksonville this summer

“This last fight in Jacksonville is a thank you to the mayor down there, who did a lot of good things for us during COVID,” White said at UFC Kansas City in a Sat., Apr. 21 press conference.

UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Topuria will take place on Sat., Jun. 24. Tickets will go on sale Fri., May 5 at 10 a.m. and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com.

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Top ranked contender Emmett (18-3, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) embarks on his journey back to title contention. The California-based Octagon veteran has secured impressive wins against Calvin Kattar, Dan Ige and Shane Burgos. Emmett now looks to add a rising contender in Toupuria to his resume with a statement performance.

Topuria (13-0, fighting out of Alicante, Spain) intends to make the most of his first UFC main event by defeating a former title challenger in Emmett. A versatile finisher and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Topuria has claimed victories over Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert and Ryan Hall. The Georgian-Spanish fighter sets out to keep his perfect record intact and find his way into the Top 5.

During the pandemic, Jacksonville hosted three consecutive empty venue shows at Vystar. UFC returned in 2021 and 2022 for sold out fights.

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“We are excited to welcome Dana White and UFC back to Jacksonville. This is always a major event for our city,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said.

Current official bouts on the card include:

• Undefeated prospect Tatsuro Taira vs. Kleidison Rodrigues in flyweight match.

• Middleweight Gregory Rodrigues vs. Denis Tiuliulin

• Middleweights Punahele Soriano vs. Sedriques Dumas

• Lightweights Mateusz Rebecki vs. Loik Radzhabov

• Strawwights Tabatha Ricci vs. Gillian Robertson

• Heavyweights Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa

• Flyweights Amanda Ribas vs. Maycee Barber

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