Lerryan Douglas | Return of 'The Gunslinger'

For Douglas, the fight with Erosa was a strong initial test and one he passed with flying colors and reassured him competing in the UFC is no different than competing anywhere else.

“I think it’s just sometimes we create something really big and it isn’t that different from what you used to do,” Douglas said. “I learned that and I could be calm, patient, and still focused and aware in my fight so that nothing bothered me… I felt that was a great experience to have and seeing that it’s true that once they lock the Octagon, it’s the same thing you always did.”

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Prior to the fight with Erosa, Douglas explained just how vital connecting with the Cub Swanson’s Bloodline Combat Sports team has been in his current run of success, crediting it with keeping him focused on MMA.

In Seattle, the team had three fighters compete in a month-long stretch as Douglas followed Danny Silva’s emphatic win in London the week prior. After Douglas’ victory, Swanson won his retirement fight two weeks later at UFC 327, finishing Nate Landwehr in the first round. For good measure, Rafa Garcia added a fourth win to the mix two weeks after that, outhustling Alexander Hernandez over three rounds.

This time, Douglas is once again part of a pack of fighters from the California outfit competing in a short stretch as Richie Miranda made his promotional debut a couple weeks back, and Jalin Turner registered a first-round finish last weekend in Philadelphia. Garcia is once again in the anchor position as he’s set to face off with Rongzhu at Noche UFC.

“It’s always good to have all the guys around and they’re all in camp,” Douglas said. “Everybody is in camp there basically all year, and it’s always good to have that energy going to a fight, cutting weight; it makes easier work like that… Everybody is the same energy, everybody is helping each other, looking out for each other, and being there for each other. That’s what we have been seeing lately at Bloodline, and I hope that’s the way we’re gonna stay.

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“It feels, it feels,” he added. “We’re working really hard for that and ready (to do) whatever it takes. The most important thing is that we’re in a good state of mind — happy, focused — and nothing else matters besides fight night.”

Douglas finds himself in familiar territory as he prepares for his second trek to the Octagon. Emmers is 30-fight veteran who’s last nine appearances have come under the UFC banner, and the 37-year-old is the quintessential journeyman each division needs. At first blush, his 5-4 record inside the Octagon is somewhat uninspiring, but in there are a pair of debatable split decision verdicts. As it is, Emmers touches down in the California capital having earned victories in three of his last four, and Douglas has all the respect in the world for him heading into battle.