Rob Emerson

Rob Emerson
Born	Robert Michael Emerson [1] (1981-07-30) July 30, 1981 (age 42) Newport Beach, California, United States
Other names	The Saint
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight	135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division	Lightweight (2002–2012) Featherweight (2013–present) Bantamweight (2014–present)
Reach	71.0 in (180 cm) [2]
Fighting out of	Phoenix, AZ, United States
Team	The MMA Lab (2016–present) [3] Team Oyama (formerly) Kings MMA Church Boyz Wrestling
Rank	Black Belt in Kyokushin Karate Brown Belt in Kajukenbo [3]
Years active	2002–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	37
Wins	21
By knockout	6
By submission	7
By decision	8
Losses	15
By submission	3
By decision	12
No contests	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Robert Michael Emerson ^[1] (born July 30, 1981) is an American professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2002, Emerson is also a veteran of Bellator MMA, the UFC, Pancrase, and was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 5 .

Background

Emerson was born in Huntington Beach, California and grew up in Dana Point, California. ^[3] He started training Kyokushin Karate at the age of nine and picked up also Kajukenbo later. ^[4] Being severely bullied in the school for his Tourettes, Emerson got into lots of fights in his juvenile years. While preparing to embark on a military career, Emerson went to an unsanctioned mixed martial arts show and ended up fighting there, kindling a fire to pursue a career in the sport. ^[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After being released from jail in 2002, Emerson made his professional debut against Jens Pulver at an Ultimate Wrestling event on June 29, 2002. ^[3] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

The Ultimate Fighter

According to Emerson, he bypassed the tryouts as he was invited to participate directly to The Ultimate Fighter 5. ^[3] On episode three of the season, Emerson faced eventual winner of the show, Nate Diaz. In the second round of an exciting, back-and-forth fight, Diaz managed to secure a rear naked choke for the win. However, B.J. Penn told the viewers that he could not take anything away from Emerson, as he had given the fight his all. ^[5] After Gabe Ruediger was taken off the show for his inability to make the 155 lb weight limit Dana White brought Emerson back. Corey Hill, Ruediger's initial opponent, picked him to fight. ^[6]

The first round belonged to Hill as Emerson had problems getting inside and dealing with his substantial reach advantage. In the second round, Emerson was able to take a shot at Hill and get out of range effectively. He even locked in a heel hook when the action hit the mat, earning him the round and forcing the bout to a third and deciding stanza. In the third, both fighters spent most of their time circling each other, and while Emerson appeared to score the most effective blows of the round with kicks to the leg, the decision went to Hill, who put Team Pulver back in the win column and in control heading into episode seven.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Emerson faced fellow Team Penn teammate, Gray Maynard, on the undercard of The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale. Maynard dominated in the first round (the only effective work of Emerson's being a flying knee and a takedown). The second round began with Gray picking up Emerson and slamming him to the canvas. Due to an aggravated injury of the ribs, Emerson submitted. During the fall, however, Maynard accidentally spiked himself on the floor and seemingly rendered himself unconscious. The bout was declared a no-contest. ^[7]

In his next fight at UFC 81, Emerson won a split decision over Keita Nakamura. Nakamura dropped Emerson with a knee at the end of the first round after Emerson had outstruck him for much of the round. Emerson came back strong in the second round, landing crisp combinations that left Nakamura's face a mess. Nakamura scored takedowns in the third round on a visibly tiring Emerson, but it was not enough to win him the split decision as the scores read (30–27, 28–29, and 30–27) in favor of Emerson.

At UFC 87, Emerson knocked out Manvel Gamburyan in only 12 seconds, earning him "Knockout of the Night" honors. ^[8]

His next fight at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens was against Kurt Pellegrino. ^[9] Emerson lost the fight at 3:14 of the second round due to submission (rear naked choke); the first submission loss of Emerson's professional career. ^[10]

Emerson was scheduled to fight George Sotiropoulos at UFC 101 but was forced to withdraw because of a hand injury and was replaced by George Roop. ^[11]

Emerson lost at UFC 103 by decision to Rafael dos Anjos on September 19, 2009. He agreed to the contest after Matt Wiman was forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injury. ^[12]

Emerson next faced Phillipe Nover on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109 ^[13] and won a unanimous decision. ^[14]

Emerson faced Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 21. He lost via unanimous decision and was released from his UFC contract. ^[15]

Independent promotions

Emerson defeated Rodney Rhoden by TKO in round one at Pure Combat 12.

Emerson faced Eric Reynolds at AOF 10 on December 4, 2010. He won the fight via split decision. ^[16]

Emerson fought Justin Salas at Full Force Fighting: Vol. 1 on January 29, 2011. Emerson lost to Salas via unanimous decision. ^[17]

Emerson defeated WEC Veteran Savant Young at Tachi Palace Fighting 12: Second Coming via rear-naked choke submission in round three.

Emerson defeated Jason Williams at FCOC: Fight Club OC via rear naked choke. Following this, he fought at the next Fight Club OC event, defeating Musa Toliver by triangle choke.

Bellator MMA

Emerson was expected to face Patricio Freire at Bellator 97 on July 31, 2013, when he would make his Featherweight and Bellator Debut. However, on July 12, 2013, it was announced that Emerson would withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Jared Downing. ^[18]

Emerson eventually would make his Bellator debut against Jared Downing on October 18, 2013 at Bellator 104. He won the fight via heel hook submission in the first round. ^[19]

Emerson made his Bantamweight debut against Joe Taimanglo on April 11, 2014 at Bellator 116. He won via unanimous decision. ^[20]

Emerson faced Rafael Silva at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014. ^[21] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Subsequently, California State Athletic Commission suspended Emerson for 18 months after testing positive for prescription drug Modafinil. The suspension was then reduced to five months. ^[22]

Regional circuit

After his stint in Bellator, Emerson signed with Victory FC where he became both Bantamweight and Featherweight champion in his first two fights, respectively. He lost his Bantamweight Championship before signing with Russian promotion Absolute Championship Akhmat where he eventually racked a 1–2 record.

Emerson was next scheduled to face Charles Bennett in a bare-knuckle MMA bout at Gamebred FC 2 on September 11, 2021. ^[23] However, the event would be rescheduled for October 1, 2021. Emerson won by knockout in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Gray Maynard
  • Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Manny Gamburyan
• Victory Fighting Championship
  • VFC Bantamweight Championship (One time; former)
  • VFC Featherweight Championship (One time; current)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

37 matches	21 wins	15 losses
By knockout	6	0
By submission	7	3
By decision	8	12
No contests	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	21–15 (1)	Charles Bennett	KO (punches)	Gamebred FC 2	October 1, 2021	1	4:36	Biloxi, Mississippi, United States	Bare Knuckle MMA.
Loss	20–15 (1)	Dileno Lopes	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	ACA 101: Strus vs. Nemchinov	November 15, 2019	1	3:00	Warsaw, Poland
Loss	20–14 (1)	Mikhail Malyutin	Decision (unanimous)	ACA 93: Balaev vs Zhamaldaev	March 16, 2019	3	5:00	St. Petersburg, Russia
Loss	20–13 (1)	Magomedrasul Khasbulaev	Submission (rear-naked choke)	WFCA 54: Dudaev vs. Taimanglo	November 16, 2018	2	1:57	Isa Town, Bahrain
Win	20–12 (1)	Shamil Shakhbulatov	Decision (unanimous)	ACB 87: Whiteford vs Mousah	May 19, 2018	3	5:00	Nottingham, England
Loss	19–12 (1)	Raufeon Stots	Decision (unanimous)	VFC 56	April 14, 2017	5	5:00	Omaha, Nebraska, United States	Lost the VFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win	19–11 (1)	Ryan Roberts	TKO (knee injury)	VFC 54	December 9, 2016	1	1:34	Omaha, Nebraska, United States	Won the VFC Featherweight Championship.
Win	18–11 (1)	Shawn West	Submission (rear-naked choke)	VFC 51	June 24, 2016	3	5:00	Urbandale, Iowa, United States	Won the VFC Bantamweight Championship.
Loss	17–11 (1)	Rafael Silva	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 127	October 3, 2014	3	5:00	Temecula, California, United States
Win	17–10 (1)	Joe Taimanglo	Decision (unanimous)	Bellator 116	April 11, 2014	3	5:00	Temecula, California, United States
Win	16–10 (1)	Jared Downing	Submission (inverted heel hook)	Bellator 104	October 18, 2013	1	1:44	Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
Win	15–10 (1)	Musa Toliver	Submission (triangle choke)	FCOC: Fight Club OC	October 4, 2012	1	4:20	Costa Mesa, California, United States
Win	14–10 (1)	Jason Williams	Submission (rear-naked choke)	FCOC: Fight Club OC	August 16, 2012	1	2:05	Costa Mesa, California, United States
Win	13–10 (1)	Savant Young	Submission (rear-naked choke)	TPF 12: Second Coming	March 9, 2012	3	4:29	Lemoore, California, United States
Loss	12–10 (1)	Justin Salas	Decision (unanimous)	Full Force Fighting: Vol. 1	January 30, 2011	3	5:00	Denver, Colorado, United States	For FFF Lightweight Championship.
Win	12–9 (1)	Eric Reynolds	Decision (split)	Art of Fighting 10	December 4, 2010	3	5:00	Estero, Florida, United States
Win	11–9 (1)	Rodney Rhoden	TKO (punches)	Pure Combat 12: Champions for Children	September 25, 2010	1	3:33	Clovis, California, United States
Loss	10–9 (1)	Nik Lentz	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi	March 31, 2010	3	5:00	Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Win	10–8 (1)	Phillipe Nover	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 109	February 6, 2010	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	9–8 (1)	Rafael dos Anjos	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 103	September 19, 2009	3	5:00	Dallas, Texas, United States
Loss	9–7 (1)	Kurt Pellegrino	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens	February 7, 2009	2	3:14	Tampa, Florida, United States
Win	9–6 (1)	Manvel Gamburyan	KO (punches)	UFC 87	August 9, 2008	1	0:12	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States	Knockout of the Night.
Win	8–6 (1)	Keita Nakamura	Decision (split)	UFC 81	February 2, 2008	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC	7–6 (1)	Gray Maynard	NC (double KO due to slam)	The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale	June 23, 2007	2	0:39	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Fight of the Night.
Win	7–6	Kenji Arai	Decision (unanimous)	Pancrase: Blow 6	August 27, 2006	3	5:00	Yokohama, Japan
Win	6–6	Takafumi Ito	Decision (unanimous)	Pancrase: Blow 4	May 2, 2006	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Win	5–6	Jamie Schmidt	TKO (punches)	TC 13: Anarchy	March 11, 2006	2	1:02	Del Mar, California, United States
Win	4–6	Julian Samaniego	TKO (punches)	KOTC 61: Flash Point	September 23, 2005	1	2:15	San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss	3–6	Melvin Guillard	Decision (split)	RCF: Cold Hearted	February 19, 2005	3	5:00	Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss	3–5	Randy Velarde	Decision (majority)	KOTC 44: Revenge	November 14, 2004	2	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Win	3–4	Joe Camacho	Decision (unanimous)	KOTC 41: Relentless	September 29, 2004	2	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Win	2–4	Justin Berkley	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	TC 3: Total Combat 3	May 30, 2004	2	N/A	Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Loss	1–4	Dokonjonosuke Mishima	Decision (unanimous)	Deep: 14th Impact	April 18, 2004	3	5:00	Osaka, Japan
Loss	1–3	Javier Vazquez	Decision (split)	Shooto USA: Warrior Spirit: Evolution	November 14, 2003	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	1–2	Chris Brennan	Submission (achilles lock)	Hitman Fighting 3	May 2, 2003	N/A	N/A	Santa Ana, California, United States
Loss	0–2	Jamal Perkins	Decision (unanimous)	KOTC 19: Street Fighter	December 7, 2002	2	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss	0–1	Jens Pulver	Decision (unanimous)	UW: Ultimate Wrestling	June 29, 2002	3	5:00	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

See also

• List of Bellator MMA alumni

References

1. Mixed martial arts show results Date: February 2, 2008
2. "Rob "The Saint" Emerson's Tapology Profile". tapology.com. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
3. Adam Hunter (January 18, 2018). "Rob Emerson, Kamaru Usman, Justin Wood, Weendawg" (Podcast).
4. Drei Marghitas (August 21, 2021). American D.R.M. Podcast- EP 4 Rob "The Saint" Emerson. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
5. MMAWeekly.Com Staff (25 May 2011). "Flashback Fight: Nate Diaz Takes Out Rob Emerson In TUF 5 Opening Round". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
6. Holland, Jesse (4 May 2007). "Recap: The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 episode 5". mmamania.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
7. "Notes: Maynard beats himself". Yahoo! Sports. June 23, 2007.
8. Crawford, Percy (12 September 2008). "Rob Emerson: "That Was The Worst Knockout I've Seen In A Long Time"". fighthype.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
9. MMAmania.com (3 December 2008). "Kurt Pellegrino vs Rob Emerson UFC Fight Night 17 bout on tap". mmamania.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
10. Mindenhall, Chuck (27 November 2011). "Early stoppage came too late for Pellegrino". espn.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
11. John Morgan. "Cut forces Rob Emerson out of UFC 101 bout; George Roop reported as replacement". MMAjunkie.com.
12. Morgan, John. "Injury forces Matt Wiman out of UFC 103, Rob Emerson expected to face Rafael dos Anjos". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
13. "Rob Emerson vs. Phillipe Nover at UFC 109". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
14. Holland, Jesse (11 February 2010). "Phillipe Nover released from the UFC following his Feb. 6 loss to Rob Emerson". mmamania.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
15. "Rob Emerson, Brad Blackburn and Fabricio Camoes released by UFC". MMAjunkie.com . April 15, 2010.
16. "Rob Emerson decisions Eric Reynolds & 170 lb prospect Raul Amaya notches 1st round KO at AOF 10 in FL". ULTIMMA.com. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
17. Tatum, Rob (30 January 2011). "Full Force Fighting: Salas defeats Emerson". MMA DieHards. Archived from the original on 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
18. MMA Junkie Staff (12 July 2013). "Jared Downing replaces Rob Emerson, meets Patricio 'Pitbull' at Bellator 97". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
19. Sportsnet Staff (19 October 2013). "Grove, Hawn come out on top at Bellator 104". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
20. "Taimanglo Drops Decision In Bellator 116". guamsportsnetwork.com. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
21. "Bellator 127 Main Card Finalized with Rafael Silva and Rob Emerson Bantamweight Tilt".
22. Chris Taylor (February 19, 2015). "CSAC Reduces Rob Emerson's Suspension". bjpenn.com.
23. "Rob Emerson vs. 'Felony' Charles Bennett booked for second Gamebred Fighting Championship event". mmafighting.com. July 29, 2021.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Rob Emerson from Sherdog
• Rob Emerson at UFC