Josh Emmett

Joshua James Emmett (born March 4, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist.

He currently competes in the Featherweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Emmett was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 4, 1985.

He grew up in a dysfunctional family with a single mom and late brother, Nick.

He studied psychology in college with the intention of going into law enforcement and earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree at Menlo College.

He wrestled for 14 years; beginning at El Camino Fundamental High School and continuing through his college years.

Emmett wrestled his first two seasons at the junior college level at Sacramento City College, before transferring to NAIA Menlo College.

After his collegiate career was over, he joined Urijah Faber's Ultimate Fitness to continue his desire in competing in combat sports.

Emmett is also an accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappler, he won a World championship in the blue belt no-gi division.

A professional competitor since 2011, Emmett has also competed for King of the Cage.

As of January 23, 2024, he is #7 in the UFC featherweight rankings.

After compiling an amateur record of 2–0, Emmett started his professional MMA career on October 8, 2011, and made his debut in Capitol Fighting Championship as a Featherweight.

He broke his hand in the first round and continued with the fight and managed to earn his first win by unanimous decision.

Emmett had surgery on his broken hand and had a 10 month lay off from competing.

He returned to training to prepare for his next fight and broke the same hand on his last sparring session prior to the fight event which forced him to take another long break before returning to the cage.

After his first professional win, he made a move to compete in West Coast Fighting Championship (WFC) and made his debut on August 3, 2013, against Mike Ryan, winning via guillotine choke in the first round.

On November 16, 2013, Emmett faced Noah Schnable and defeated him in 45 seconds in round one with TKO (punches).

Emmett's third opponent with West Coast Fighting Championship was Adin Duenas on February 15, 2014.

He managed to secure a win via unanimous decision.

Two months after the fight with Duenas, Emmett faced Tramain Smith at West Coast Fighting Championship 9.

He won the fight via TKO (punches) in round one.

On September 13, 2014, Emmett was up against Tony Rios and judges awarded a win with a unanimous decision in favor of Emmett.

Emmett faced Brandon Ricetti on November 15, 2014, at West Coast Fighting Championship 12 in a five-round fight for the lightweight title belt.

In the fifth round, Emmett loaded with punches, pressing Recetti to fall forward when Emmett hit Ricetti with a knee and Ricetti was KO.

The fight was ruled a No Decision at first as Ricetti was grounded when he got kneed.

However, the decision was overturned after a review of the incident and a win was awarded to Emmett via unanimous technical decision.

Emmett was crowned WFC Lightweight Champion.

After he secured the championship belt, Emmett didn't return to compete until almost one year later on October 3, 2015, at KOTC promotion, facing Rocky Johnson.

Emmett showed off his submission skills and won the fight via arm-triangle choke.

Emmett returned to fight in West Coast Fighting Championship promotion in Sacramento, California, US, on January 23, 2016, against Christos Giagos, a former UFC fighter.

Emmett secured a win via TKO at 2:21 of round 3 and also won the ISCF - International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF) Pro California Lightweight Title.

After garnering a 9–0 record as a professional, Emmett signed with the UFC.

Emmett made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement on May 8, 2016, against Jon Tuck at UFC Fight Night 87, where he replaced an injured Nick Hein.

Emmett suffered a compound fracture on his left right finger from catching Tuck's spinning back kick and the referee halted the fight briefly prior to restarting.

Emmett secured a win with split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Emmett was expected to face Jeremy Kennedy on August 27, 2016, at UFC on Fox 21.

However, Emmett was forced out of the event, due to an injury.

On December 17, 2016, Emmett faced Scott Holtzman at UFC on Fox 22.

The three round fight was a back and forth battle and judges awarded the win to Emmett via unanimous decision.

Emmett faced promotional newcomer Desmond Green on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210.