MMA SPECTACLE ON PRIMETIME CBS - FEATURE ATTRACTION AMERICAN DEFEATS LONGTIME RUSSIAN CHAMP FEDOR EMELIANENKO WHO THEN RETIRES
could the symbolism be any less subtle?
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko (Russian: Фёдор Владимирович Емельяненко, tr. Fyodor Vladimirovich Yemelyanenko, IPA: [ˈfʲɵdər vlɐˈdʲimʲɪrəvʲɪtɕ jɪmʲɪˈlʲjænʲɪnkə];[13] born 28 September 1976) is a Russian retired heavyweight mixed martial artist (MMA), sambist, and judoka. He has won championships and accolades in multiple sports, most notably in MMA Pride Fighting Championships (heavyweight champion 2003–2007), FIAS World Combat Sambo Championship (Heavyweight Champion 2002, 2005, 2007), and Russian Judo Federation National Championship (Bronze medal 1998, 1999). He also competed for Rizin Fighting Federation and Bellator MMA.
Emelianenko began his MMA career on 21 May 2000, with four straight victories. After a controversial loss in December 2000, Emelianenko was unbeaten in his next 28 fights up until June 2010, including wins over four former UFC champions, one Pride FC champion, one former and two future K-1 champions, and two Olympic medalists.
Emelianenko has earned numerous MMA accolades. Sports Illustrated, among other publications, named him the top MMA fighter of the 2000s.
Emelianenko is currently a staff member of Russia's Presidential Council on Physical Fitness & Sports.