Evolvedfights 24 05 10 Rocky Emerson Vs Nathan

The first round was a textbook chess match. Emerson opened with her signature low kicks, chopping at Nathan’s lead leg and circling to avoid the clinch. Nathan, to his credit, walked through the first few shots and shot for a double-leg two minutes in. Emerson showed excellent defensive wrestling, sprawling hard and forcing a scramble against the cage. The round ended with both fighters trading short elbows in a clinch—slight edge to Emerson for damage.

The final five minutes separated the prospect from the pretender. Emerson came out with a clear sense of urgency, shooting a double-leg within 10 seconds. Velez tried a guillotine, but Emerson popped her head out and settled into side control.

From there, it was a masterclass in control. Emerson used a shoulder of justice to grind down Velez’s will, then methodically passed to mount with 2:45 left. Velez gave up her back in an attempt to escape—a fatal error.

The finish (4:12 of Round 3): Emerson locked in a body triangle, flattened Velez out, and sank a rear-naked choke. Velez defended valiantly for 30 seconds, but the squeeze was too tight. The referee stepped in at 4:42 of the final round.

Official Result: Rocky Emerson def. Nathan Velez via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:42 evolvedfights 24 05 10 rocky emerson vs nathan

This wasn’t just a win for Rocky Emerson; it was a statement. She proved she can hang with a high-level grappler, defend submissions, and win a gritty three-rounder when her A-game striking isn’t landing clean. For Nathan, the loss is a tough one, but his second-round performance showed he belongs on this stage.

Evolved Fights continues to deliver the kind of matchups that regional MMA needs—competitive, stylistic clashes where neither fighter is willing to take a step back.

Next up for Emerson? Rumors are already swirling about a potential title eliminator at Evolved Fights 26 this summer.

What did you think of the decision? Did Nathan do enough to win round 2? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. The first round was a textbook chess match

2.1 Rocky Emerson

2.2 Nathan

Nathan came out a different fighter in the second. He stopped chasing the takedown from distance and instead used a long jab to measure Emerson, then crashed into a body lock. Once he dragged her down, he moved to half guard and began a slow, crushing pressure campaign. Emerson fought off a kimura attempt and survived the round, but the momentum had clearly shifted.

Going into EVF 24, Rocky Emerson (5-1 professional, 2-0 EVF) was already being whispered about as a future title challenger. A product of the renowned MMA Institute in Albuquerque, Emerson built her reputation on crushing pressure, relentless cardio, and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game that suffocates opponents. Her only career loss came via split decision in her third pro bout—a defeat she has since avenged twice over. This wasn’t just a win for Rocky Emerson;

Leading up to May 10, Emerson had finished her two previous EVOLVED FIGHTS appearances via rear-naked choke in the second round. Known for her fast starts and devastating ground-and-pound from half guard, “The Storm” (her nickname, not to be confused with the men’s bantamweight) entered the cage looking to make a statement against a seasoned veteran.

After three rounds of simulation, the judges’ scorecards were read:

Winner via Split Decision (2-1): Nathan.

If you missed EVOLVED FIGHTS 24 – 05/10 live from Dallas, full replays are available on EVOLVED FIGHTS’ official streaming platform (EVF On Demand). The entire main card, including Emerson vs. Nathan, is included with a monthly subscription.