| Round 3
The fighters traded jabs for the first min, until Nakamura scored a trip takedown to break the stalemate. Emerson got back to his feet but quickly pulled guard. Nakamura, not wanting to sit inside Emerson's guard, stood up and invited his foe to follow. Nakamura then put together his best prolonged offense of the fight, with several right-handed jabs from the southpaw stance and a left hook. Emerson, fatigued after 13 minutes in the Octagon, started to wing shots but nothing connected. The official judges scorecard's read 30-27 (twice) for Emerson, and 29-28 for Nakamura, giving Robert Emerson the split decision win. |