Josh Emmett

Josh Emmett: biography

Josh Emmett is a professional mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Childhood and youth

Josh Emmett was born on March 4, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona, Josh Emmett grew up in a challenging family environment, raised by a single mother with his late brother, Nick. He pursued a psychology degree at Menlo College, intending to enter law enforcement. Emmett's wrestling journey spanned 14 years, starting at El Camino Fundamental High School and extending through his college years. He initially competed at Sacramento City College before transferring to NAIA Menlo College. After college, Emmett joined Urijah Faber's Ultimate Fitness, fueling his passion for combat sports. Alongside his wrestling background, he has achieved success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, winning a world championship in the blue belt no-gi division.

Mixed martial arts career

Josh Emmett's mixed martial arts (MMA) career has been characterized by his explosive striking, knockout power, and resilience in the face of adversity. He made his professional MMA debut in 2011 and quickly established himself as a formidable competitor in the featherweight division.

Emmett gained experience and built his record fighting for various regional promotions before getting the call to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2016. He made an impressive debut in the UFC, defeating Jon Tuck via unanimous decision in December of that year.

In his early UFC fights, Emmett showcased his striking prowess with knockout victories over fighters like Scott Holtzman and Felipe Arantes. He quickly gained a reputation for his heavy hands and ability to finish fights with a single strike.

However, it was his performance against Ricardo Lamas in December 2017 that truly put Emmett on the map. Despite being an underdog, Emmett landed a devastating left hook that knocked out Lamas in the first round. The knockout earned him the Performance of the Night bonus and solidified his status as a top contender in the featherweight division.

Unfortunately, in February 2018, Emmett faced a setback when he fought Jeremy Stephens. While winning the first two rounds, he suffered a knockout loss in the final seconds of the fight. The defeat came with a heavy price as Emmett sustained multiple facial fractures, requiring surgery and an extensive recovery period.

Following his recovery, Emmett made a successful return to the Octagon in 2019 with a unanimous decision victory over Michael Johnson. He has since continued to compete at the highest level, facing tough opponents such as Shane Burgos and Arnold Allen.

Josh Emmett had been scheduled to fight Arnold Allen on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166. However, he withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed injury, and Nik Lentz stepped in as his replacement.

Emmett was then set to face Edson Barboza on May 2, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman. However, the event was postponed to a later date, as announced by Dana White, the president of the UFC.

With one fight remaining on his contract, Emmett signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC. He made his first appearance under the new contract on June 20, 2020, against Shane Burgos at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov. Emmett emerged victorious via unanimous decision, earning the Fight of the Night honors.

On December 11, 2021, Emmett defeated Dan Ige at UFC 269 via unanimous decision.

In 2022, Emmett faced Calvin Kattar in the main event of UFC on ESPN 37 on June 18. He secured a split decision victory in a closely contested bout, earning the Fight of the Night award.

In 2023, Emmett challenged Yair Rodríguez for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship on February 12 at UFC 284. Unfortunately, he suffered a second-round submission loss via triangle choke.

Initially scheduled to face Ilia Topuria on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46, the bout was later rescheduled to headline UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria on June 24. Despite a tough fight and being knocked down, Emmett lost via unanimous decision, but the bout was recognized with the Fight of the Night award.

Throughout his career, Emmett has demonstrated his resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. Despite facing injuries and setbacks, he remains focused on his goal of becoming a champion in the UFC's featherweight division. With his impressive skill set, knockout power, and unwavering determination, Josh Emmett continues to make waves in the world of MMA.

Personal life

Josh Emmett prefers to keep his personal life relatively private, and as a result, there is limited public information available about his personal life and background.

From what is known, Josh Emmett is a family man, he is married to his wife Vanessa.

Outside of his fighting career, Emmett is known for his strong work ethic and dedication to his craft. He is a disciplined athlete who puts in extensive training to continuously improve his skills and conditioning.

Emmett is also active on social media platforms such as Instagram, where he occasionally shares updates about his training, fights, and life outside of the cage. Through his social media presence, fans can catch glimpses of his interests, such as his love for fitness and his appreciation for the support he receives from his fans.

Championships and awards

Josh Emmett's notable achievements and accolades in his mixed martial arts career include:

Ultimate Fighting Championship:

• Performance of the Night award for his knockout victory against Mirsad Bektić.
• Three-time recipient of the Fight of the Night bonus for his exciting bouts against Shane Burgos, Calvin Kattar, and Ilia Topuria.
• Tied with Jeremy Stephens for the most knockdowns in UFC Featherweight division history, with a total of 11.

West Coast Fighting Championship:

• WCFC Lightweight Champion.

ISCF Pro California Lightweight Championship:

• Holder of the ISCF Pro California Lightweight Championship.
• These accomplishments highlight Emmett's skill and exciting fighting style, earning him recognition and accolades both in the UFC and regional promotions.