UFC targets Jamall Emmers, Daniel Pineda for May 14 showdown

Two UFC featherweight finishers are lined up for a May 14 showdown.

A bout between Jamall Emmers (18-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) and Daniel Pineda (27-14 MMA, 4-5 UFC) is being finalized for a UFC Fight Night event at a location and venue yet-to-be-announced.

Two people with knowledge of the targeted booking confirmed the matchup Wednesday to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Emmers, 32, made his promotional debut on short notice at UFC 248 in March 2020 when he took on rising star Giga Chikadze. In that outing, Emmers lost a close split decision. His second time out for the UFC, his result was more positive. He dominated Vince Cachero en route to a unanimous decision. In his most recent outing, Emmers was submitted via a gruesome heel hook by Pat Sabatini.

Pineda, 36, will compete for the first time following a nine-month NAC suspension for amphetamine that stemmed from his June bout against Andre Fili. The fight was declared a “no contest” after Fili inadvertently poked Pineda in the eye. Since the start of 2018, Pineda has gone 5-1 with three “no contest” results.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for May 14 includes:

• Lauren Murphy vs. Miesha Tate
• Viviane Araujo vs. Andrea Lee
• Frank Camacho vs. Manuel Torres
• Jamall Emmers vs. Daniel Pineda