Last Bow for 'The Last Emperor': Russian MMA Colossus Prepares for His Final Battle

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Last Bow for 'The Last Emperor': Russian MMA Colossus Prepares for His Final Battle

The world of mixed martial arts is preparing to bid a final farewell to Fedor Emelianenko, a fighter so dominant and revered that he is widely considered among the greatest of all time. On Saturday night in California, the sport will witness the conclusion of a legendary career as 'The Last Emperor' steps into the cage for the very last time.

It is fitting that Emelianenko's swansong contest will be for the heavyweight world championship at Bellator 290. This high-stakes encounter against American rival Ryan Bader offers a narrative of redemption, as Emelianenko seeks to avenge a previous defeat to Bader. However, regardless of the outcome, Emelianenko's legacy as one of MMA's most respected and influential figures is already indelibly secured, cemented over a career that has spanned more than two decades.

At his peak, Emelianenko remained undefeated for an astonishing span of nearly ten years, a testament to his unparalleled skill and dominance. Now 46 years old, the Russian icon is a figure of immense respect for fans and fellow fighters alike, having produced some of the most electrifying and memorable moments the sport has ever seen. While Russia has since produced numerous megastars and champions across major promotions like the UFC and Bellator, it was Emelianenko who first captured the global imagination, establishing himself as his country's inaugural true MMA icon.

Born in 1976 in Rubizhne, Lugansk, Emelianenko's upbringing was in a working-class family in the Belgorod region of western Russia. His father was a welder, and his mother a teacher. His martial arts journey began around the age of 11 with Sambo and Judo. According to his former instructor, Vladimir Voronov, Emelianenko wasn't a prodigy from the outset but was known for his relentless work ethic and dedication.

Following a stint in the Russian Army from 1995 to 1997, Emelianenko earned his 'Master of Sports' certification and competed for the Russian national team. It was after this period that he decided to pursue a professional career in mixed martial arts. His debut came in 2000 under the 'Rings' promotion in Yekaterinburg, where he impressively submitted Bulgarian opponent Martin Lazarov with a guillotine choke in the first round. This marked a strong 4-0 start to his professional career.

However, his second fight on foreign soil in Osaka saw him suffer a controversial TKO loss to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka after just 17 seconds due to a doctor's stoppage. This would prove to be a rare blip, as Emelianenko would not taste defeat again for nearly a decade. From April 2001 to June 2010, he embarked on an iconic, seemingly invincible streak of 28 consecutive wins, a run that has become the stuff of MMA folklore.

During this unparalleled period of dominance, Emelianenko finished a multitude of opponents, often in the first round, through various submissions and devastating knockouts. His unbeaten streak included victories over four former UFC champions, a Pride FC champion, one former and two future K-1 champions, and two Olympic medalists, showcasing the breadth of his elite competition.

In 2002, Emelianenko joined the prestigious Japanese-based Pride Fighting Championships after winning the Rings 'King of Kings' tournament. He entered the title picture a year later at Pride 25, facing the heavily favored Brazilian powerhouse Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Nogueira himself was a formidable champion, having won the 'King of Kings' tournament in 2000 and coming off significant wins against Bob Sapp and Heath Herring. He was renowned for his incredible durability and elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills.

Despite Nogueira's formidable reputation, Emelianenko neutralized the Brazilian's grappling threat and then unleashed a brutal ground-and-pound assault, securing a unanimous decision victory. This win crowned him the second heavyweight champion in Pride history. Emelianenko himself has often cited this bout against Nogueira, which ended the Brazilian's 14-fight unbeaten streak, as his personal favorite. "I had to activate my fighting IQ and find keys to victory. At that time, he was the best fighter in the world," the Russian legend recalled.

His reign continued as he won a Heavyweight Grand Prix and avenged his earlier controversial loss to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. A defining moment of his career came in August 2005 at Pride FC, in what is widely regarded as MMA's 'Fight of the Decade'. Emelianenko faced Croatian striking sensation Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipović in a highly anticipated clash. Despite suffering a broken nose during the fight, Emelianenko displayed incredible heart and skill to defeat 'Cro Cop' via unanimous decision.

Emelianenko never lost his Pride heavyweight title and successfully defended it for the final time on New Year's Eve 2006 against South Korean giant Hong-man Choi, a fight where the massive size difference was a significant talking point. In 2007, Emelianenko exercised a special clause in his contract, allowing him to compete under other banners as long as the events were held on Russian soil. He secured a victory against Matt ...

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