Jamall Emmers

Jamall Leantwean Emmers (born July 24, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of August 22, 2026, he is #14 in the Meta UFC featherweight rankings.

Background Emmers transitioned to MMA from a high school and college wrestling background, but it was actually MMA that first inspired him. A fan of watching MMA fights with his dad and brother, Jamall's dad would rent PRIDE FC tapes from Blockbuster for them to watch. Emmers said he joined his high school wrestling team specifically to lay a foundation for a career in MMA.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career and DWCS Emmers racked up 13–3 record in American regional circuit, most notably holding a decision wins against future UFC fighters Alexander Hernandez and Cory Sandhagen at LFA 5. Emmers was invited to the Dana White's Contender Series. He faced Julian Erosa at Dana White's Contender Series 11 on June 26, 2018. Despite knocking Erosa down in the first round, Emmers lost the fight via second-round knockout.

Ultimate Fighting Championship After the Contender Series loss Emmers won four straight fights and was signed to the UFC to fight Movsar Evloev at UFC 248 on March 7, 2020, on short notice, replacing Douglas Silva de Andrade. However, Evloev was injured in a motorcycle accident and was replaced by Giga Chikadze. Emmers lost the fight via split decision.

Emmers was expected to make his sophomore appearance in the organization against Timur Valiev at UFC Fight Night 173 on August 1, 2020. However, Valiev withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Vince Cachero. Emmers won the fight via unanimous decision.

Emmers was next expected to face Chas Skelly at UFC Fight Night 185 on February 20, 2021. However, the bout was cancelled moments before it was expected to begin as Emmers suffered back spasms backstage rendering him unable to compete.

Emmers faced Pat Sabatini on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30. Emmers knocked down Sabatini early in the fight, but was caught by a heel hook and forced to submit in round one.

Emmers was scheduled to face Daniel Pineda on May 14, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 36. However, the bout was scrapped in late April for unknown reasons.

Emmers faced Khusein Askhabov on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Emmers faced Jack Jenkins on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. He lost the fight via split decision. 10 out of 10 media sources scored the fight in favor of Emmers.

Emmers faced Dennis Buzukja on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. At the weigh-ins, Emmers came in at 147 pounds (one pound over the featherweight non-title bout limit). His bout with Buzukja proceeded at catchweight with Emmers forfeiting 20 percent of his purse. He won the fight via TKO in the first minute of the first round.

Emmers faced Nate Landwehr on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Emmers faced Gabriel Miranda on March 29, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 64. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Emmers was scheduled to face Austin Bashi on November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264. However, Bashi pulled out due to an injury and was replaced by Hyder Amil. Emmers won the fight by unanimous decision.

Emmers faced Lerryan Douglas on August 22, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 285. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Championships and accomplishments Hero FC Hero FC Featherweight Championship (one time; former) Two successful title defenses SMASH Global SMASH Global Featherweight Championship (one time; former)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Lerryan Douglas TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Rodrigues

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Hyder Amil Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brown

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gabriel Miranda TKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Nate Landwehr KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Dennis Buzukja TKO (punches) UFC 295

New York City, New York, United States Loss

Jack Jenkins Decision (split) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Khusein Askhabov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Pat Sabatini Submission (heel hook) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Chikadze

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Vince Cachero Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Giga Chikadze Decision (split) UFC 248

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rafael Barbosa Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) LFA 81

Costa Mesa, California, United States Win

Jay Cucciniello TKO (punches) Final Fight Championship 38

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Caio Machado TKO (retirement) M-1 Global: Road to M-1 USA 2

Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, California, United States Win

Fard Muhammad TKO (punches) SMASH Global 8

Los Angeles, California, United States Loss

Julian Erosa KO (head kick and punches) Dana White's Contender Series 11

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Guilherme Faria de Souza TKO (punches) LFA 36

Cabazon, California, United States Win

Chris Avila Decision (unanimous) Global Knockout 11

Jackson, California, United States Win

Cory Sandhagen Decision (unanimous) LFA 5

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Rivaldo Junior Decision (unanimous) RFA 41

San Antonio, Texas, United States Loss

Thiago Moisés TKO (punches) RFA 38

Costa Mesa, California, United States Win

Ray Cervera Decision (unanimous) Tachi Palace Fights 25

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Merwyn Rivera Submission (rear-naked choke) Tachi Palace Fights 23

Lemoore, California, United States Loss

Rey Trujillo Submission (triangle choke) Hero FC: Best of the Best 4

Brownsville, Texas, United States Win

Michael Rodriguez TKO (punches) Hero FC: Best of the Best 3

Brownsville, Texas, United States Win

Chris Pecero TKO (punches) Hero FC: Best of the Best 2

Brownsville, Texas, United States Win

Brett Ewing Decision (unanimous) Hero FC: Best of the Best 1

Harlingen, Texas, United States Win

Brett Ewing TKO (punches) Hero FC: Texas Pride

Beaumont, Texas, United States Win

Alexander Hernandez Decision (split) Hero FC: Pride of the Valley 2

Pharr, Texas, United States Win

Ernest de la Cruz Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 17

San Antonio, Texas, United States Loss

Matt Mazurek Decision (split) ABG Promotions: Alamo Showdown 5

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

James Gonzalez Submission (rear-naked choke) Big Dawg Promotions: In Cage I Trust 1

Texas City, Texas, United States