Rob Emerson
| Rob Emerson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Robert Michael Emerson July 30, 1981 Newport Beach, California, United States |
| Other names | The Saint |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 149 lb (68 kg; 10.6 st) |
| Division |
Lightweight (2002–2012) Featherweight (2013–2014) Bantamweight (2014–present) |
| Reach | 71.0 in (180 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Irvine, California, United States |
| Team |
Team Oyama Kings MMA Church Boyz Wrestling |
| Rank | Black belt in Kyokushin Karate |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 30 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Losses | 11 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 10 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Robert Michael Emerson (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. Emerson is currently the #44 ranked Bantamweight fighter in the world according to Fightmatrix.com.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
The Ultimate Fighter
On episode three 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 not suffered a concussion during the fight.[3] Maynard offered this diagnosis as proof that he had not been knocked unconscious during the fight.
In his next fight he won a 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 was not 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 Manvel 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.[4]
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.[5]
Emerson next faced Phillipe Nover on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109[6] 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 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. [7]
Emerson fought Justin Salas at Full Force Fighting: Vol. 1 on January 29, 2011. Emerson lost to Salas via unanimous decision.[8]
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 makes his Featherweight and Bellator Debut. On July 12, 2013, it was announced that Emerson had to withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Jared Downing.
Emerson eventually made 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.
Emerson made his Bantamweight debut against Joe Taimanglo on April 11, 2014 at Bellator 116. He won via unanimous decision.
Emerson faced Rafael Silva at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Post-fight, Emerson failed his drug test for the prescription drug Provigil (Modafinil), which has been prohibited by WADA for a decade. He was suspended for 270 days and fined $2,500.
Personal life
Rob and his girlfriend Candy had their first child, a daughter in 2008. [10]
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.[11]
On July 23, 2013, Ian McCall announced via Twitter that he had caught Emerson engaging in sexual activities with his estranged wife Shay McCall.[12]
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, current)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 30 matches | 18 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By submission | 7 | 1 |
| By decision | 7 | 10 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No Contest | 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 |
References
- ↑ "Rob "The Saint" Emerson's Tapology Profile". tapology.com. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
- ↑ "Fightmatrix official Bantamweight rankings".
- ↑ "Notes: Maynard beats himself". Yahoo! Sports. June 23, 2007.
- ↑ John Morgan. "Cut forces Rob Emerson out of UFC 101 bout; George Roop reported as replacement". MMAjunkie.com.
- ↑ Morgan, John. "Injury forces Matt Wiman out of UFC 103, Rob Emerson expected to face Rafael dos Anjos". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ↑ "ROB EMERSON VS. PHILLIPE NOVER AT UFC 109". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Tatum, Rob (30 January 2011). "Full Force Fighting: Salas defeats Emerson". MMA DieHards. Archived from the original on 2011-01-30. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ↑ "Bellator 127 Main Card Finalized with Rafael Silva and Rob Emerson Bantamweight Tilt".
- ↑ "A 'New' Rob Emerson gets ready for Nakamura on Saturday". UFC.com. 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ↑ Dann Stupp. "Rob Emerson vs. Keita Nakamura Set for UFC 81". MMAjunkie.com.
- ↑ "Ian McCall Twitter Comments in regards of catching Rob Emerson with his wife". twitter.com. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
