‘Let’s beat the hell out of this guy’: Lerryan Douglas celebrates working with ‘real fighters’ like Marco Ruas ahead of UFC Sacramento

Lerryan Douglas enters his second UFC fight Saturday night at Sacramento against Jamall Emmers, looking to build on his impressive debut in March when he finished Julian Erosa in devastating fashion. The featherweight prospect has found inspiration and practical training in an unlikely source: 65-year-old vale tudo legend Marco Ruas, a friend of Douglas' manager and family who won the historic UFC 7 one-night tournament in 1995.

Working together in California, Douglas has benefited from hands-on guidance from one of mixed martial arts' old-school greats. Ruas, who competed in the vale tudo, UFC, and PRIDE during his peak in the 1980s and 1990s, offered Douglas direct feedback and encouragement. "He said, 'Brother, you're ready. You're ready. Let's beat the hell out of this guy,'" Douglas recalled. The featherweight appreciates Ruas' no-nonsense approach—unlike coaches who might protect a fighter's ego, Ruas delivers honest, unfiltered assessment. This candor boosts Douglas' confidence heading into the bout.

Douglas, 31, is a former LFA champion who earned his UFC contract by finishing Cam Teague in 36 seconds on Dana White's Contender Series in 2025. The Brazilian fighter welcomes facing experienced opponents and views each fight as a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal: becoming a championship contender. Emmers brings a two-fight winning streak and versatile skills—he can wrestle, strike, and submit opponents. Douglas acknowledges Emmers is a complete fighter but remains confident heading into Saturday, prepared to engage wherever the fight takes them and hoping to add another submission or knockout to his UFC record.