Rob Emerson

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. 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.

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 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.

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

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. 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.

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.

On July 23, 2013, Ian McCall announced via Twitter that he had caught Emerson engaging in sexual activities with his estranged wife Shay McCall.

Championships and accomplishments