Robert Emerson For the first time in more than a decade as a professional fighter, Robert Emerson claimed an organizational championship when he defeated Shawn West to capture the vacant Victory FC bantamweight title in Friday’s Victory FC 51 main event. Emerson (17-11) put his veteran savvy to work against a more inexperienced foe in West (12-7) in the UFC Fight Pass-streamed headliner at Buccaneer Arena in De Moines, Iowa. He mixed up his striking and grappling attacks in the first round to wear his opponent down and set up the rear-naked choke finish at the 1:30 mark of round 2. Despite experiencing a popped cauliflower ear in the first round that splatted blood across his face, Emerson continued to press the action in the 135-pound championship contest. He eventually got on top of West and into mount, forcing his opponent to give up his back and open up for the fight-ending choke.