BIO
JOSH EMMETT
UFC Featherweight
Sacramento, CA
Record: 19-4-0 (W-L-D)
Born: March 4, 1985
Nationality: American
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 70" (178 cm)
Team: Team Alpha Male
Josh Emmett is an American mixed-martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the UFC. A professional competitor since 2011, he has also competed for King of the Cage.
June 2023
Ilia Topuria
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Topuria
In a challenging bout at UFC Jacksonville, Josh faced a tough and rising UFC star, Ilia Topuria. Despite a valiant effort, Emmett lost in decisive unanimous decision in Topuria's favor.
The fight showcased Topuria's skill, yet Emmett's resilience and spirit remained commendable throughout the intense match.
This outcome marks a significant moment in Topuria's career, while Emmett looks forward to future opportunities to showcase his talent.
Feb 2023
Yair Rodriguez
UFC 284: MAKHACHEV VS VOLKANOVSKI
In Perth, Australia, Josh faced #3 ranked Yair Rodriguez. Facing his toughest opponent yet, Josh was caught in a triangle choke in the second round.
June 2022
Calvin Kattar
UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs Emmett
In the UFC Austin main event at Moody Center, Josh won a split decision victory over a tough featherweight contender in Calvin Kattar.
Read More.
Watch Garibaldi's real time art work of Josh for UFC Austin.
December 2021
Dan Ige
UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier
Josh made a successful return to a sold out UFC 269 in Las Vegas. This after 18 months of painstaking recovery after his fight with Shane Burgos. He defeated a tough opponent, in #9 ranked Dan Ige, by unanimous decision.
It was a close and exciting bout that many expected to be an all-out brawl, but in turn ended up showing the technical abilities of these highly skilled fighters.
The win marked Josh's first fight since besting Shane Burgos in a “Fight of the Night” performance back in June of 2020. Josh now finds himself on a four-fight winning streak and one step closer to a title shot.
June 2020
Shane Burgos
UFC on ESPN: Blades vs. Volkov
Josh faced the up-and-comer Shane Burgos on June 20, 2020 and won the bout via unanimous decision. One of the more electric fights of 2020, the fight earned them the Fight of the Night award despite Josh tearing his ACL 20 seconds into the match. Read the story
July 2019
Mirsad Bektic
UFC Fight Night 155
Josh defeated Mirsad Bektic, in his hometown of Sacramento, CA, via technical knockout in round 1. This win earned him performance of the night.
March 2019
Michael Johnson
UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje
More than a year after suffering significant facial injuries against Jeremy Stephens, Josh had a come-back, signature knockout win against veteran Michael Johnson late in the 3rd round.
February 2018
Jeremy Stephens
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Stephens
A pivotal period in Josh's career after securing the 5 round main event against Jeremy Stephens. He took a controversial loss in the 2nd round, despite hurting him in the first. He sustained serious facial injuries that would sideline him for a while. Read the story.
December 2017
Ricardo Lamas
UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos
Emmett faced Ricardo Lamas on December 16, 2017. At the time, Lamas was ranked #4 in the world in the Featherweight division. Josh had a tough weight cut to make on short notice and missed it by 2.5 lbs. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Josh giving up 30% of his purse. He won the fight with a significant knockout in the first round. Read the story.
October 2017
Felipe Arantes
UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Till
Josh faced Felipe Arantes on October 21, 2017. In his first Featherweight bout in the UFC, Josh broke the UFC record with most knockdowns in a single round had the first ever 10-7 round score. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Read more
April 2017
Desmond Green
UFC 210
Emmett faced UFC newcomer and hometown favorite, Desmond Green, at UFC 210 on April 8th, 2017. Two judges were split on the performance and josh took his first professional loss.
December 2016
Scott Holtzman
UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson
UFC was back in Sacramento and was hosted at the newly-minted, Golden 1 Center on December 17, 2016. Josh faced his most formidable opponent yet, fighting his was to a win via unanimous decision.
DEBUT
May 2016
Jon Tuck
Josh made his UFC debut against Jon Tuck in the Lightweight division. On 4 days notice, Josh replaced an injured Nick Hein and defeated Tuck via split decision.
His first fight in the UFC didn't come easy. In the third round, Josh suffered a compound dislocation to his left ring finger, which led the referee to stop the match. After some negotiation with the ref, the fight continued with Tuck trying to take full advantage of the injury. Josh was able to defend the onslaught and made it to the scorecards. After the decision, Josh help up up his bloody hand to the camera showing one of the worst hand injuries in UFC history. Read more
January 2016
Christos Giagos
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT
Josh took on, former UFC fighter, Christos Giagos for the ISCF - International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF) Pro California Lightweight Title. Citing his toughest opponent to date, he secured a win via TKO at 2:21 of round 3.
THE EARLY YEARS
Born in Phoenix, AZ, Josh and his family moved when he was six months old to Sacramento, CA, a place he has always called home. As a child, Josh was extremely active and he competed in a variety of sports. However, it was his love for wrestling that would guide his professional career.
Josh wrestled throughout high school and college. He also excelled in mixed martial arts. So, in 2006, Josh walked into Urijah Faber's Ultimate Fitness to pursue his dream of fighting in the UFC. Fueled by his passion to compete in combat sports, he threw himself into training. However, an offer to continue his education and wrestle at Menlo College would postpone his professional MMA career. During 2007 to 2010, Josh wrestled for Menlo College and graduated with a Bachelors in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Psychology.
After five years of collegiate wrestling Josh became a member of the world renowned Team Alpha Male. With a perfect amateur record of 2-0, Josh started his professional MMA career in 2011.
As a professional MMA fighter, Josh continued his perfect winning streak. With a professional record of 9-0, Josh joined the UFC in 2016. After a decade of hard work, Josh’s dream to fight for the UFC had become a reality.
FIGHT RESULTS
Date | Opponent | Result | Decision | Rnd | Time | Title | Event Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12/16/2023 | Bryce Mitchell | W | KO (punch) | 1 | 1:57 | UFC 296 | Performance of the Night. |
06/24/2023 | Ilia Topuria | L | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Topuria | |
02/11/2023 | Yair Rodriguez | L | Submission (triangle choke) | 2 | 4:19 | UFC 284 | |
06/18/2022 | Calvin Kattar | W | Decision (split) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs Emmett | Fight of the Night |
12/11/2021 | Dan Ige | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC 269 | |
06/20/2020 | Shane Burgos | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov | Fight of the Night. |
07/13/2019 | Mirsad Bektić | W | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:25 | UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd | Performance of the Night. |
03/30/2019 | Michael Johnson | W | KO (punch) | 3 | 4:14 | UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje | |
02/24/2018 | Jeremy Stephens | L | KO (punches and elbows) | 2 | 1:35 | UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens | |
12/16/2017 | Ricardo Lamas | W | KO (punch) | 1 | 4:33 | UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos | |
10/21/2017 | Felipe Arantes | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Till | Return to Featherweight. |
04/08/2017 | Desmond Green | L | Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC 210 | |
12/17/2016 | Scott Holtzman | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson | |
05/08/2016 | Jon Tuck | W | Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski | UFC debut. |
01/23/2016 | Christos Giagos | W | TKO (punches) | 3 | 2:21 | West Coast Fighting Championship 16 | Won ISCF Pro California Lightweight Title.
|
10/03/2015 | Rocky Johnson | W | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | 2:45 | KOTC: Total Elimination | |
11/15/2014 | Brandon Ricetti | W | Technical Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 0:24 | West Coast Fighting Championship 12 | Won the WCFC Lightweight Championship. |
09/13/2014 | Tony Rios | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | West Coast Fighting Championship 11 | |
04/26/2014 | Tramain Smith | W | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:28 | West Coast Fighting Championship 9 | Lightweight debut. |
02/15/2014 | Adin Duenas | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | West Coast Fighting Championship 8 | |
11/16/2013 | Noah Schnable | W | TKO (punches) | 1 | 0:45 | West Coast Fighting Championship 7 | |
08/03/2013 | Mike Ryan | W | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 1:52 | West Coast Fighting Championship 6 | |
10/08/2011 | Emilio Gonzales | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Capitol Fighting Championships: Fall Classic | Professional debut. |