Josh Emmett’s fists don’t just end fights; they switch off the lights, sending opponents to the shadow realm, sometimes before they even hit the mat! Fans know him as one of the most dangerous punchers in UFC history, a man whose right hand can erase any game plan in an instant. But what makes Emmett’s power so terrifying isn’t just the highlight reels. It’s the aftermath.

Some opponents simply don’t get up right away. In fact, one of his most infamous knockouts left Bryce Mitchell convulsing on the Octagon floor, a haunting reminder of how destructive Emmett’s shots can be. So who else has felt that power, and what makes him such a unique knockout artist? Let’s dive in!

Who has Josh Emmett knocked out?

Since arriving in the UFC, Emmett has left a trail of bodies. He’s knocked out Ricardo Lamas, Michael Johnson, Mirsad Bektić, and Bryce Mitchell. Each finish had its own story. When he met Ricardo Lamas in 2017, Emmett missed weight and had to forfeit 30% of his purse. That didn’t matter once the cage door closed. In the first round, Emmett uncorked a monster left hook that sent Lamas crashing to the mat. No follow-up shots needed. Against Michael Johnson in 2019, he needed patience.

The fight dragged into the third round before Emmett found his shot. One crushing right hand folded Johnson instantly, silencing the crowd and proving his power carried deep into fights. That same year, he stopped Mirsad Bektić inside one round. The technical knockout earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and cemented his reputation as a finisher.

Fast forward to 2023, Emmett stepped in against late replacement Bryce Mitchell at UFC 296. The result? A chilling one-shot knockout that fans are still talking about to this day. So, where does all this power come from, and how does he manage to land it against some of the best fighters in the UFC?

Analyzing Josh Emmett’s boxing & power

Josh Emmett’s build is part of the equation. At 5’6 with a densely muscled, yet compact frame, a 70-inch reach, and a lifetime of wrestling, his body generates torque most fighters can’t match. His background on the mats taught him how to explode through opponents, and his time with Team Alpha Male sharpened that aggression.

In a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), Emmet explained, “I’ve known I have had power forever, but I give tons of credit to my boxing coach Joey Rodriguez, he helped me fine-tune the power with correct timing, precision, and accuracy. But yeah, I’ve known I had power since a very young age. War Orc power!”

But power alone isn’t enough. Josh Emmett’s strategy involves risk. “You have to be willing to take 1 or 2, to give 1 or 2, especially being the shorter fighter,” he further  explained during the AMA. To land, he must step into danger, relying on feints, double jabs, and angles to get inside. Once there, his hooks and overhands have the potential to end the fight instantly.

It’s a style built for chaos. Fans love it, but opponents fear it. Because one mistake against Emmett isn’t just costly, it can be terrifying as Bryce Mitchell found out firsthand!

When Josh Emmett’s KO gave his opponent seizures

The Bryce Mitchell knockout was Emmett at his most frightening. Heading into UFC 296, Mitchell was the favorite. Emmett, meanwhile, was on the first losing streak of his career. It was do-or-die.

Early in round one, Mitchell pressed forward, looking to smother the veteran. But Emmett lured him into range, then detonated a right hand that shut his lights out instantly. Mitchell collapsed, stiff as a board. The broadcast then caught something even scarier: his body twitching on the canvas. Fans cheered the knockout, but the atmosphere shifted quickly when they saw Mitchell convulsing.

Commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier’s excitement turned to concern. ‘Thug Nasty’ eventually regained his senses and stumbled backstage, but the image was unforgettable. It wasn’t just another knockout. It was a brutal reminder of what can happen when Josh Emmett’s fists land flush.

That finish joined a highlight reel already filled with jaw-dropping moments. With 12 official knockdowns — the most in UFC featherweight history—Emmett has built a reputation as a fighter who doesn’t just win, but devastates. From his days wrestling at Menlo College to knocking out world-class fighters under the UFC banner, Emmett’s journey has been built on grit and raw power.

Now at 40 years old, he’s still dangerous, still hunting, and still capable of changing a fight with one shot. He’s scheduled to face Youssef Zalal at UFC 320, aiming to add another name to his list of victims!