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.
[3] After being released from jail in 2002, Emerson made his professional debut against Jens Pulver at an Ultimate Wrestling event on June 29, 2002.
In the second round of an exciting, back-and-forth fight, Diaz managed to secure a rear naked choke for the win.
[5] After Gabe Ruediger was taken off the show for his inability to make the 155 lb weight limit Dana White brought Emerson back.
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.
Emerson faced fellow Team Penn teammate, Gray Maynard, on the undercard of The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale.
Emerson came back strong in the second round, landing crisp combinations that left Nakamura's face a mess.
[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.
Subsequently, California State Athletic Commission suspended Emerson for 18 months after testing positive for prescription drug Modafinil.
Emerson was next scheduled to face Charles Bennett in a bare-knuckle MMA bout at Gamebred FC 2 on September 11, 2021.