Rob Emerson

Robert Emerson
Born	July 30, 1981 (1981-07-30) Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Other names	The Saint
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division	Lightweight
Style	Ruas Vale Tudo
Fighting out of	Irvine, California
Team	Team Oyama
Rank	black belt in Kyokushin Karate
Mixed martial arts record
Total	22
Wins	11
By knockout	4
By submission	1
By decision	6
Losses	10
By knockout	0
By submission	1
By decision	9
Draws	0
No contests	1

Robert Michael Emerson (born July 30, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist. Emerson is a former Pancrase and King of the Cage fighter. He was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 5.

Mixed martial arts career

The Ultimate Fighter

On episode 3 of The Ultimate Fighter 5, 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, BJ Penn told the viewers that he could not take anything away from Emerson, as he had given the fight his all. After Gabe Ruediger was taken off the show for his inability to make the 155 lb weight limit Dana White brought back Emerson. Corey Hill, Ruediger's initial opponent, picked him to fight.

The first round belonged to Hill as Emerson had problems getting inside on his lanky foe and dealing with his substantial reach advantage.

In the second, the veteran got closer though and was able to potshot Hill and get out of range effectively, and he even locked in a heel hook late in the round 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 the more aggressive 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. With Maynard dominating the first round (the only effective work of Emerson's being a flying knee and a takedown), when the second round began Gray picked up his opponent and slammed him to the canvas. Emerson, due to an aggravated injury of the ribs, submitted. However, during the fall Maynard accidentally spiked himself on the floor and seemingly rendered himself unconscious. The bout was declared a no-contest despite protests from a visibly angry Maynard. Later, doctors ruled that Maynard had lost consciousness after the slam. Maynard offered his diagnosis as proof that he had not been knocked unconscious during the fight. Both fighters have expressed interest in a rematch.

In his next fight he won a controversial split decision over Keita Nakamura at UFC 81. Nakamura dropped Emerson with a big knee at the end of the first round after Emerson had outstruck him for much of the round up until that point. Emerson came back strong in the second round landing crisp combinations that left Nakamura's face a mess at the end of the round. Nakamura scored takedowns in the third round on a visibly tiring Emerson while also landing some strong knees but it wasn't enough to win him the decision as the scores read 30-27, 28-29 and 30-27 in favour of Emerson.

He then knocked out Manny Gamburyan at UFC 87 in only 12 seconds, earning "Knockout of the Night" honors.

His next fight was against Kurt Pellegrino at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens. 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.

Emerson currently trains his striking with Colin Oyama, the former trainer of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. He 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.

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

Emerson next faced Phillipe Nover on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109 and won a unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).

Emerson most recently faced Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 21. He lost via unanimous decision and Emerson was released from his UFC contract.

Independent

Emerson defeated Rodney Rhoden by TKO in round 1 at Pure Combat 12.

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

Emerson fought Justin Salas at Full Force Fighting - Vol. 1 on January 29, 2011. Emerson lost to Salas via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Rob and his girlfriend Candy had their first child, a daughter in 2008.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department website, Rob Emerson was arrested on September 19, 2007 and was sent to the Musick Jail in Irvine California.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
22 matches	11 wins	10 losses
By knockout	4	0
By submission	1	1
By decision	6	9
Draws	0
No contests	1

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	11–10 (1)	Justin Salas	Decision (unanimous)	Full Force Fighting - Vol. 1	02011-01-30 January 30, 2011	3	5:00	Denver, Colorado, United States	For FFF Lightweight Championship
Win	11–9 (1)	Eric Reynolds	Decision (split)	Art of Fighting 10	02010-12-04 December 4, 2010	3	5:00	Estero, Florida, United States
Win	10–9 (1)	Rodney Rhoden	TKO (punches)	Pure Combat 12 - Champions for Children	02010-09-25 September 25, 2010	1	3:33	Clovis, California, United States
Loss	9–9 (1)	Nik Lentz	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi	02010-03-31 March 31, 2010	3	5:00	Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Win	9–8 (1)	Phillipe Nover	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 109	02010-02-06 February 6, 2010	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	8–8 (1)	Rafael dos Anjos	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 103	02009-09-19 September 19, 2009	3	5:00	Dallas, Texas, United States
Loss	8–7 (1)	Kurt Pellegrino	Submission (rear naked choke)	UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens	02009-02-07 February 7, 2009	2	3:14	Tampa, Florida, United States
Win	8–6 (1)	Manvel Gamburyan	KO (punches)	UFC 87	02008-08-09 August 9, 2008	1	0:12	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States	Knockout of the Night
Win	7–6 (1)	Keita Nakamura	Decision (split)	UFC 81	02008-02-02 February 2, 2008	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC	6–6 (1)	Gray Maynard	No Contest (double ko)	The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale	02007-06-23 June 23, 2007	2	0:39	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	UFC Debut
Win	6–6	Kenji Arai	Decision (unanimous)	Pancrase- Blow 6	02006-08-27 August 27, 2006	3	5:00	Yokohama, Japan
Win	5–6	Takafumi Ito	Decision (unanimous)	Pancrase- Blow 4	02006-05-02 May 2, 2006	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Win	4–6	Jamie Schmidt	TKO	TC 13 – Anarchy	02006-03-11 March 11, 2006	2	1:02	Del Mar, California, United States
Win	3–6	Julian Samaniego	TKO	KOTC – Flash Point	02005-09-23 September 23, 2005	1	2:15	San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss	2–6	Melvin Guillard	Decision (split)	RCF – Cold Hearted	02005-02-19 February 19, 2005	3	5:00	Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss	2–5	Randy Velarde	Decision (majority)	KOTC – Revenge	02004-11-14 November 14, 2004	2	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Win	2–4	Joe Camacho	Decision (unanimous)	KOTC – San Jacinto	02004-09-24 September 24, 2004	2	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Win	1–4	Justin Berkley	Submission (choke)	TC 3 – Total Combat 3	02004-05-30 May 30, 2004	2		Tijuana, Mexico
Loss	0–4	Dokonjonosuke Mishima	Decision (unanimous)	DEEP – 14th Impact	02004-04-18 April 18, 2004	3	5:00	Osaka, Japan
Loss	0–3	Javier Vazquez	Decision (split)	Shooto USA – Warrior Spirit: Evolution	02003-11-14 November 14, 2003	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	0–2	Jamal Perkins	Decision (unanimous)	KOTC 19 – Street Fighter	02002-12-07 December 7, 2002	2	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss	0–1	Jens Pulver	Decision	UW – Ultimate Wrestling	02002-06-29 June 29, 2002	3	5:00	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States	MMA Debut

External links

• Professional MMA record for Rob Emerson from Sherdog