Josh Emmett is an American professional mixed martial artist best known for his explosive performances in the UFC’s featherweight division. With a career built on resilience, power, and technique, Emmett has steadily climbed the rankings, earning a reputation as one of the most formidable fighters in his weight class. As of 2025, Josh Emmett’s net worth is estimated to be $4.3 million. His income sources include fight purses, bonuses, endorsements, and personal ventures.
Early Life and Background
Josh Emmett was born on March 4, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. He grew up in a challenging environment, raised by his mother alongside his brother Nick. Emmett found solace in sports and began wrestling at a young age, competing at El Camino Fundamental High School. His passion for combat sports continued through college, where he wrestled at Sacramento City College before transferring to Menlo College, earning a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree.
Emmett’s wrestling background laid a strong foundation for his transition into mixed martial arts. He developed solid grappling and takedown techniques, which would later complement his striking skills in MMA.
Career Beginnings in MMA
Emmett began his professional MMA career in 2011 with the Capital Fighting Championship. He debuted as a featherweight and quickly gained attention for his aggressive style and well-rounded skills. His early success opened doors to bigger promotions, including King of the Cage and West Coast Fighting Championship (WCFC).
In WCFC, Emmett captured the Lightweight Championship, showcasing his ability to dominate in higher weight classes. He also won the ISCF Pro California Lightweight Title, proving himself as a rising force in the regional MMA scene.
Breakthrough with the UFC
Josh Emmett’s career took a major leap forward in 2016 when he signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He made his UFC debut on short notice at UFC Fight Night 87, replacing an injured fighter to face Jon Tuck. Despite breaking his finger during the match, Emmett secured a split-decision victory, instantly gaining respect for his grit and toughness.
Since joining the UFC, Emmett has competed in high-profile bouts and established himself as a legitimate contender in the featherweight division. His fighting style is marked by powerful punches, relentless pressure, and strategic defense.
Key UFC Fights and Achievements
Throughout his UFC career, Emmett has faced several top-tier fighters, including:
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Yair Rodríguez – for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship
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Shane Burgos
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Ricardo Lamas
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Calvin Kattar
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Dan Ige
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Felipe Arantes
Emmett’s knockout of Ricardo Lamas in 2017 became a defining moment in his career. It was a brutal one-punch finish that highlighted his power and precision.
UFC Bonuses and Awards:
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Performance of the Night: 1 time
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Fight of the Night: 3 times
These bonuses have significantly contributed to his earnings and elevated his popularity among MMA fans.
Josh Emmett Net Worth
As of 2025, Josh Emmett’s net worth is estimated at $4.3 million. His income primarily comes from UFC contracts, fight bonuses, sponsorship deals, and personal brand ventures.
Income Sources:
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UFC contracts and win bonuses
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Performance bonuses from UFC
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Sponsorships – including Monster Energy, Venum, and Title Boxing
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Social media partnerships
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Appearance fees and seminars
Emmett is also believed to own real estate in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he resides. Though he keeps his personal assets private, it is known that he owns at least one high-end vehicle.
Net Worth Growth
Here’s a table showing Josh Emmett’s net worth progression over the past several years:
Year | Net Worth |
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2018 | $3.0 million |
2019 | $3.2 million |
2020 | $3.4 million |
2021 | $3.6 million |
2022 | $3.8 million |
2023 | $4.0 million |
2024 | $4.2 million |
2025 | $4.3 million |
His consistent performance, increased sponsorships, and continued presence in top-level UFC fights have all contributed to his steady net worth growth.
Personal Life
Josh Emmett is married to Vanessa Emmett, who has been a constant supporter throughout his career. The couple maintains a relatively private life, but Vanessa is often seen cheering for him during fights. There is no public information about them having children.
Emmett is known for his disciplined lifestyle, avoiding unnecessary controversies, and focusing on his physical and mental health. His dedication to training and recovery has helped him maintain peak performance even into his late 30s.
Physical Stats and Fighting Style
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Height: 5 feet 5 inches (169 cm)
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Weight: 145 lbs (66 kg)
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Reach: 72 inches
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Stance: Orthodox
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Division: Featherweight
Emmett is known for his knockout power, especially for someone competing in the featherweight division. His punches are compact, quick, and delivered with incredible force, often catching opponents off guard.
Records and Rankings
As of 2025, Josh Emmett holds an MMA record of 18 wins and 3 losses, with 17 wins coming by knockout. He is currently ranked #7 in the UFC Featherweight Division.
Emmett continues to train with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California – a gym known for producing world-class fighters, including Urijah Faber and Cody Garbrandt.
Championships and Titles
Josh Emmett has secured multiple accolades during his MMA journey:
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WCFC Lightweight Champion
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ISCF Pro California Lightweight Champion
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UFC Performance of the Night (1x)
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UFC Fight of the Night (3x)
These titles reflect not just his talent but also his longevity and dedication to the sport.
Social Media Presence
Josh Emmett maintains a growing presence on social media, where he connects with fans, promotes fights, and shares training clips.
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Instagram: ~120K followers
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Twitter: ~22K followers
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Facebook: ~28K followers
He uses his platforms to inspire aspiring fighters and show the behind-the-scenes life of a professional athlete.
Education
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High School: El Camino Fundamental High School
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College: Menlo College – Bachelor of Liberal Arts
His education has played a part in shaping his character, discipline, and mental strength, which are evident in his performance inside the octagon.
Recent Developments in 2025
In early 2025, Josh Emmett hinted at either going for one last title run or considering stepping into coaching or commentary. Though still active, he has expressed interest in helping younger fighters and expanding his brand outside the octagon. With several wins under his belt and a loyal fan base, Emmett’s legacy in MMA continues to grow stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Josh Emmett’s net worth in 2025?
Josh Emmett’s net worth is estimated to be $4.3 million as of 2025.
Q2. How did Josh Emmett become famous?
He gained recognition for his powerful knockouts and consistent performances in the UFC featherweight division.
Q3. Who is Josh Emmett’s wife?
Josh Emmett is married to Vanessa Emmett.
Q4. What is Josh Emmett’s fighting style?
He uses an orthodox stance and is known for powerful striking combined with solid wrestling skills.
Q5. What is Josh Emmett’s UFC record?
As of 2025, Josh Emmett holds a record of 18 wins and 3 losses, with the majority of his victories coming by knockout.