Russian mixed martial arts legend Fedor Emelianenko has announced his retirement after knocking out Brazilian veteran Pedro Rizzo.
It took Emelianenko just 44 seconds to knock out Brazilian veteran Pedro Rizzo on Thursday, putting him on the ground with a serious of punches and then finishing with more strikes to the head.
"I think it is time I quit," Emelianenko said.
"My family influenced my decision. My daughters are growing without me, that's why it's time to leave."
Emelianenko will not be tempted by any "fantastic offers", including a possible rematch against Brazilian fighter Fabricio Werdum, he said, adding there is no agreement on such a match.
Emelianenko, 35, is a multiple world heavyweight champion and went undefeated for almost a decade until losing to Werdum in June 2010, earning the nickname "The Last Emperor" for this record.
After that he suffered two more losses, first to Brazilian fighter Antonio Silva and then American fighter Dan Henderson, which made him take a month's break to make a decision on his career.
He chose to mount a comeback to halt the losing streak, beating Monson on a decision in November in Moscow and then knocking out Japan's Satoshi Ishii in Tokyo on New Year's Eve.
I remember first watching RINGS and seeing this beast with no emotion, calculated and relentless.
Fast forward to PRIDE, it was a fans dream to watch someone like the 'Last Emperor' compete with such explosive power, skill and determination.
He always brought it, never putting on a boring fight. He is a pioneer, legend and generally humble human which brought an art form into MMA.
Here's to one of my fav fighters, you'll not only go down as one of, if not the best HW of all time... BUT potentially one of the GOAT fighters to grace our sport. :thumbsup:
He still looked pretty spectacular in his Affliction fight I think. Though he started to show how human he was against Arlovski. It went down hill when he once again looked human against Brett Rogers.
Yeah the Rogers fight was a rollercoaster ride for me. That knockout had me hopping up and down which rarely happens, that to me shows how special he was.
Well it's good that he finally called it a career before it ran it's course. The man has nothing left to prove. He's beat the best in the world and he is set for life.
I'm not sure he's exactly the Legend of MMA, that is very arguable. However, he is definately a legend to be sure up there. And I agree that the UFC did not copyright the term "Baddest Man on the Planet".
Right, Brock Lesnar couldn't take a punch but he sure could give one. But remember there was a time he was the UFC Heavyweight Champion. Then again there are fighters who I think never should of had a belt.
When it comes to my favorite fighters, Fedor was never really in that category for me.
However I always did fully recognise his accomplishment and top p4p status, when he was in his prime.
I was never a big fan but will remember Fedor as one of the greatest legendary servants to MMA!!
There have been quite a few men like that who have been UFC champion. Unfortunately this is match making and fighters aren't always objectively picked. Brock wasn't the first and he may not be the last.
A lot of people who criticize him about the end of his career forget his domination. Putting a win streak for as long as he did isn't easy. He was the number one ranked fighter for years.
Yeah, he will most definately be missed to be sure. Hopefully he'll still be involved in MMA to some capacity. Considering he's a part owner for M-1 Global I think that'a actually possible.
Honestly Fedor will be the best fighter to ever live for 1 reason.
He would fight the fight anywhere. It didn't matter if u were a K1 striker, he would strike with you. If you were a wrestler, he would submit you. If you were a BJJ fighter he would follow you to the ground. He wasn't scared to lose, he beat fighters at their strengths. Thats what is what makes him the greatest to ever live.
Silva wont go to the ground against BJJ guys. GSP strikes wrestlers and wrestles strikers.
The only person in the sport right now that can surpass him is Jon Jones.
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