MMA Fighter Bios: FEDOR EMELIANENKO
FEDOR EMELIANENKO
BORN: Rubizhne, Luhansk of the Ukrainian SSR
6’0, Heavyweight
Registering a perfect record in the sport for a good decade, 30-1-0 Fedor Emelianenko has been the most heralded heavyweight the sport has seen. His greatest feats were dismantling the heavyweight division in Pride FC, where he successfully victimized all comers and dazzled the Japanese fans and became a worldwide phenomenon.
The only blip on his record is a controversial loss to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka via doctor stoppage due to a cut 17 seconds into the fight, which was caused by a missed looping punch as Kohsaka’s elbow struck Emelianenko’s head, an illegal blow under the rules of the promotion—“Rings.” It is a defeat Emelianenko would later avenge.
The serenity and calm on Fedor’s face as he destroyed opponent after opponent has always been a very noted characteristic of the Russian fighter. Intense focus and being able to channel his energy to the task at hand has allowed Fedor to reach his potential as a fighter. He has consistently been a game performer. Some would point and say he has never lost a round in the sport, aside from his sole defeat.
While against former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski, it appeared Fedor was slightly behind in the fight in the first stanza, things were instantly changed with a huge right hand which left his opponent unconscious. It’s a testament to how Fedor handles the rare instances he is put in adverse situations. His dominance has been documented, but his ability to overcome adversity is what adds a dimension to him being a complete fighter and a champion. When Kazuyuki Fujita stunned the Russian with a punch and left him on severely wobbly legs, it was highly impressive to see Fedor come back fired and hurt his Japanese counterpart and swiftly tap him out for the first time in his career via rear naked choke.
We can point to the incredible turnaround against Kevin Randleman as well. The American suplexed Fedor on his head and one would assume that would either instantly KO or severely injure any fighter. But just 47 seconds later Fedor won the fight via armlock.
Great game-planning and execution have led Fedor to victory numerous times, but it is coupled with well-roundedness in all areas. He’s not the greatest submission fighter, he’s not the greatest striker, he’s not the best wrestler, but nobody seems to be able to put it together as well as Fedor in the heavyweight division. He’s not the top guy in all those aspects of the game, but at times he’s just as dangerous as the top fighters in those respective disciplines. He can knock you out or use strikes to outpoint or nullify dangerous strikers. He can take you down and administer some of the brutal ground and pound you can imagine. Or he can use some very quick and slick submission skill to be a hair away from breaking a limb or choking you out. It’s all done in very devastating fashion and the consistency of a machine.
With Fedor not signing with the UFC, many wonder if he will be able to fight against the cream of the crop in the heavyweight class. Ranked number one on most heavyweight lists, fighters and fans alike want the Russian to put his status on the line. Certainly though if anyone is to call themselves the top heavyweight in the world they must first do what nobody seems to be able to do—defeat Fedor Emelianenko.
THE UFC CHAMP KILLER
While never fighting in the UFC, Fedor Emelianenko has some former UFC champions:
§ Andrei Arlovski
§ Tim Sylvia
§ Mark Coleman (2)
§ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
§ Kevin Randleman
WHAT 3 FORMER CHAMPIONS HAVE SAID:
“Best fighter to climb in any arena is Emelianenko Fedor. There’s nobody better…he’s the best fighter that I’ve ever seen, fought, trained with–everything.”
-Kevin Randleman
“I’ve never seen anybody like him. I’m just blown away.”
-Bas Rutten
“The guy hits hard, I’ve never been hit that hard before…The guy is a stud, I don’t even think he’s human… This guy is unreal, he’s incredible, and I don’t know if anybody’s going to beat him for a while.”
-Tim Sylvia
