Former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw is renowned for his intense training methods, pushing fighters to their physical limits.
UFC 320 is fast approaching, featuring an exciting double-header of championship bouts.
This Saturday`s main event will see Alex Pereira challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the light heavyweight title.
The co-main event will feature the UFC Bantamweight Championship, with defending champion Merab Dvalishvili taking on top contender Cory Sandhagen.
The bantamweight division, a weight class TJ Dillashaw once dominated, remembers him as one of the sport`s most dedicated and greatest fighters.
Though the 39-year-old Dillashaw retired due to injuries, he remains active in the gym, rigorously preparing a top contender for an upcoming fight.
Josh Emmett: “Best Shape of My Life” Thanks to Dillashaw Training
At 40, featherweight contender Josh Emmett claims to be in peak physical condition.
The former top-5 featherweight, known for his knockout power, is set to return at UFC 320. He aims to rebound from an April decision loss to Lerone Murphy by securing a victory against Youssef Zalal this weekend.
Despite his long-standing affiliation with Team Alpha Male, Emmett`s recent training camp saw him work alongside their historic rival, TJ Dillashaw.
“The initial workout felt unlike anything I`d experienced in my past four or five camps,” Emmett shared with Full Send MMA.
Explaining his decision to train with Dillashaw, Emmett stated, “I felt a need to introduce changes and make adjustments.”
“Dillashaw warned me that many don`t return after experiencing such intensity, understanding the immense difficulty,” Emmett recounted.
“I believe everything is mental, and that`s my strongest asset. So, I persisted, despite constantly vomiting. He even had a red bucket with my name on it, which I defiantly declared, `F*** that bucket…`”
Emmett confessed, “I thought I avoided throwing up on the fourth attempt, and I celebrated. But on the drive home, I had to pull over to spit out vomit that came up in my mouth.”
“It was on the fifth session that I finally defeated the `puke bucket,` celebrating its first loss,” Emmett stated. “That was just the beginning, about 8-9 weeks ago. Consequently, I feel I`m in the best shape of my life.”
“I`m eager to step into the octagon and perform,” Emmett concluded.
Emmett and Zalal Share History with Ilia Topuria
Josh Emmett isn`t the sole fighter to have gone the full distance against current UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria.
Coincidentally, Emmett`s upcoming opponent, Youssef Zalal, was the very first fighter to take the then-undefeated Topuria to a decision back in 2020.
Topuria made his short-notice UFC debut against Zalal with an 8-0 record.
Emmett holds the distinction of being the only fighter to endure five rounds with Topuria, despite suffering a lopsided decision loss in 2023, where he faced multiple near-finishes.
Following their main event clash, Topuria commended Emmett for his remarkable toughness.
