Lerryan Douglas is back in the Octagon for the second time, and he’s bringing the same mentality that got him there in the first place.
Douglas meets Jamall Emmers on the preliminary card of UFC Sacramento, five months after he knocked out Julian Erosa in 36 seconds in his promotional debut in Seattle.
“Man, that was insane,” Douglas told UFC.com of his debut. “I had so much fun… I love fight week. I love to have my friends, my teammates, my coaches around, and just the last week for the main goal, which is the fight.”
Emmers is a 30-fight veteran whose last nine appearances have come under the UFC banner. His 5-4 record inside the Octagon includes a pair of debatable split decision losses, and he arrives in Sacramento having won three of his last four.
Douglas said he respects that experience, but only up until the cage door closes.
“He’s an experienced fighter, and I respect that,” Douglas said. “But once they lock the Octagon, there is no respect and I am gonna look for my win, gonna look for my shots. If you try to take my money, I’ll take his.”
Training With Bloodline Combat Sports
Douglas trains out of Cub Swanson’s Bloodline Combat Sports camp, which has produced a string of recent winners, including Danny Silva, Swanson himself in his retirement fight, and Rafa Garcia.
“It’s always good to have all the guys around and they’re all in camp,” Douglas said. “Everybody is the same energy, everybody is helping each other, looking out for each other, and being there for each other.”
A win over Emmers would give Douglas back-to-back finishes over experienced UFC veterans to open his career.
“I hope it puts me in a good spot and soon we can go higher and higher,” he said. “That’s the goal.”
Douglas and Emmers open the preliminary card of UFC Sacramento, which streams Saturday on Paramount+ starting at 5 p.m. ET.
