MMA-KO Fighter Feature : Team Alpha Male's Josh Emmett ; By Mike Schneider

Photo by Joel Berrios

Today we are featuring the highly touted undisputed prospect Josh Emmett, fighting out of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento. Josh has always participated in multiple sports from an early age including acrobatics from 3^rd grade through 6^th grade. But it wasn’t until middle school that Josh took on wrestling, immediately becoming a standout his very 1^st year winning both of the tournaments that he competed in.

In high school Josh wrestled at 103 lbs and was on the varsity wrestling team as a freshman. Throughout his freshman and sophomore years Josh played on the football team before deciding solely to focus on wrestling his Junior and Senior years. During his senior year Josh came one match away from placing in the state tournament.

After signing up for the delayed entry program and on the verge of joining the U.S. Army Josh decided to enroll at Sacramento City College and use his wrestling talents to get an education. In 2003 Josh placed 8th in the California Junior College State tournament. After taking a year off he placed 5^th in 2005. In 2006 Josh took his first MMA class at Ultimate Fitness and really took a liking to the sport. Josh decided to move out of Sacramento and attend Menlo College and pursue his education and wrestling career.  After becoming a two time NAIA National qualifier and graduating with a degree in psychology Josh moved back to Sacramento.

 In 2010 Josh immediately went back to Ultimate Fitness on a full time basis and has been there ever since.  On May 15^th 2011 Josh made his amateur debut scoring a 2^nd round KO victory over Victor Jones. Two and a half months later on July 30^th Josh competed in his second amateur bout winning via Unanimous Decision over Agapito Mendoza. Afterwards the decision he made was to turn Pro.

On October 8^th 2011 Josh made his Pro debut on Uriah Faber’s Capital Fighting Championships Promotion winning by Unanimous Decision over Emilio Gonzales.  After breaking his hand in the 1st round of this bout Josh fell back on his wrestling using take downs and elbows’ to win the fight. Requiring surgery and sitting out for 10 months, Josh was going to have his 2^nd Pro bout in August 2012 but he re-broke his hand in his last sparring session which resulted in being out another 10 months. On August 3^rd 2013 at West Coast Fighting Championship Josh won his second pro fight by a 1^st round submission over Mike Ryan.

On November 16^th Josh makes his return to the cage for West Coast Fighting Championship against Jordan Bailey.  Josh believes “the sky’s the limit” having the privilege of training under the best camp in the world for lighter weight fighters Team Alpha Male, Josh says he’s making leaps and bounds with his striking game under new head coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig. He loves the structure Ludwig brings to the table and it’s helping Josh evolve as a fighter.

Photo by Joel Berrios

 Being co-owner of MVMNT CrossFit in Sacramento makes for a hectic schedule as Josh is constantly bouncing between MVMNT CrossFit and Ultimate Fitness as he has scheduled classes, private training, owner duties and  his own training and personal responsibilities. Being able to help secure his mother’s retirement and his in laws’ retirement as well is one of his key driving forces that gets him through rough days.  His friends and family, who have helped him out, since the beginning of his career, are also sources of inspiration.

In the short term, Josh is taking it one fight at a time, and not looking too far ahead in the future, just gaining more experience and learning to stay more calm and composed in the cage.  Long term he says he’s ok with whatever his team thinks is a good choice for him; whether it be UFC, Bellator, or World Series of Fighting. One thing’s for sure the future is bright for this guy and he’s sure to be a contender and champion soon.

Josh personally wanted to thank his wife Vanessa for being there for him and putting up with his whole fight career.  Johnny and Feliz Perez for helping with everything when moving back home to Sacramento; also his mother and In Law’s, little brother James, older brother Nick, and little sister Sarah. Duane “Bang” Ludwig, Uriah Faber, and all of Team Alpha Male. Josh also wishes to thank his sponsors’. Torque, Camilla City Acupuncture, The Park Ultra Lounge , Beastmetals, PS Construction, Invision, David Bolce Insurance Agency, Pasquale’s Pizza, and Mango’s.