Fedor Emelianenko ruled the rankings as being the best fighter for the past ten years. But, it has been the past year and a half that has showed his flaws more than his strengths.
Start with the Andre Arlovski; Fedor was losing the fight, but Arlovski’s pride got the better of him. When Arlovski had Fedor in the corner he decided to throw a flying knee, a mistake that cost him dearly as Fedor connected with an overhand right and win the bout. For once the “Last Emperor” was shown to be human.
Due to the promotion Affliction folding, fighters were left to be picked up by either the biggest promotion UFC or up and coming Strikeforce. Many people had their money on Fedor to the UFC, as they were building up their heavyweight division stronger everyday, but he shocked the mma community when he decided to sign with Strikeforce.
Strikeforce’s heavyweight division was lackluster at best with only a few names and, unproven, up and comers. Their main up and comer Brett Rogers was the first to welcome Fedor to Strikeforce. Brett Rogers had a nice record coming into the bout at 10-0, all by stoppage.
The fight went live November 7th on CBS, in the first round Fedor had been taken down twice and looked again to be losing the fight. It was during the 2nd round that he was able to strike with his overhand right and finish the fight by TKO.
Most thought Fedor was going to run over Rogers, but the complete opposite happened as he showed to have trouble against a bigger opponent. After this bout a bout between Allistar Overeem and Fedor was expected to take place next for the Strikeforce heavyweight title.
Due to contract disputes between M-1 Global, Fedor’s management, and Strikeforce the bout was held off and Overeem was scheduled to face Rogers. Overeem did what Fedor could not do and decimated Rogers in the first round.
After all was said and done Fedor was back in Strikeforce and was scheduled to meet Fabricio Werdum. Once again most considered this to be an easy walk through for Fedor, but Werdum saw it another way. Going into the fight Werdum was confident if he got the fight to the ground he would win.
At the start of the bell Fedor came out swinging and knocking Fabricio to the ground. Fedor followed him to the ground where he was trying to finish the fight but got caught in a tight triangle choke. And in the end the ten years of dominance, the 28 fight win streak, and the mystery of Fedor Emelianenko came to a crashing end as he tapped out at 1:09 of the first round.
All the dream matches came to an end and so did his value. UFC President Dana White, who had been pursuing Fedor for a few years, stated that he has no desire to sign Emelianenko.
Fedor’s loss begs to question could he handle the new heavyweights coming in? Could he handle a Junior Dos Santos, who beat Werdum in a 1:20 in the first round? Could he handle the punching power of Shane Carwin, when Andre Arlovski almost had him with his punches? And the million dollar question what about Brock Lesnar, the new number 1 heavyweight in the world.
That was the match up many fans wanted to see, but now there is no real power behind it. That match happened a week later when Carwin faced Lesnar; and won with an arm triangle choke and proved he is the best, right now.
So, what’s left for Fedor? There is a weird possibility that he could still get a title shot against Allistar Overeem or he could get a second chance and face Werdum again.
Whatever the case may be it’s a long road for Fedor if he wants to prove he is the best, but does he still have what it takes?
(North Texas Fisticuffs is proud to announce the addtion of noted MMA expert Raul Rangel to our awesome team of fight junkies.)
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