An entertaining featherweight scrap has joined the Edson Barboza vs. Justin Gaethje main event on the March 30 UFC on ESPN 2 fight card in Philadelphia. 

Team Alpha Male’s Josh Emmett will face perennial contender Michael Johnson in the City of Brotherly Love, sources tell FloCombat. ESPN has also confirmed the bout. 

After brutally punching out former UFC title challenger Ricardo Lamas in December of 2017, Emmett earned himself a main event slot against longtime UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens. At UFC on FOX: Orlando, Emmett was knocked out by “Lil Heathen” in Round 1.

Ultimately, the finish resulted in an emergency surgery to repair facial fractures that were impinging a muscle in his eye. 

In June of 2018, Emmett informed Ariel Helwani he suffered a concussion and a compressed facial nerve, as well as a fractured lateral orbital bone, orbital wall, maxillary sinus, nasal bone, and zygomatic arch.

His opponent, Michael “The Menace” Johnson snapped a three-fight losing streak last August, defeating Andre Fili at UFC Fight Night: Lincoln. After edging Fili, Johnson went on to win his next bout against Artem Lobov by unanimous decision.

A veteran of 20 UFC bouts, Johnson will look to expand his win streak to three and propel himself back into the top 15 with a win over Emmett.

Stay tuned to FloCombat for all of the latest news, updates, and announcements regarding UFC on ESPN 2 in Philadelphia.