Fedor Emelianenko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fedor Emelianenko |
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Emelianenko in 2015
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| Born | 28 September 1976 Rubizhne, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Native name | Фёдор Владимирович Емельяненко |
| Other names | The Last Emperor |
| Residence | Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 237 lb (108 kg) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Style | Combat Sambo, Judo |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Stary Oskol, Belgorod, Russia |
| Team | FedorTeam (2015–present) Red Devil Sport Club/Alexander Nevsky OAMK (2003–2012) Russian Top Team (2000–2003) |
| Teacher(s) | Volk Han Andrei Kopylov |
| Trainer | Judo, Sambo: Vladimir Voronov Boxing: Alexander Michkov Muay Thai: Peter Teijsse Kickboxing: Ernesto Hoost |
| Rank | Merited Master of Sport and 1st Razryad Grand Master in Sambo International Master of Sport and black belt in Judo Master of Sport in Self-defense |
| Years active | 2000–2012, 2015–2023 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 48 |
| Wins | 40 |
| By knockout | 16 |
| By submission | 15 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Council of Physical Fitness & Sports (2012–present) Russian MMA Union (president; 2012–present) Belgorod Regional Duma (deputy; 2010–present) M-1 Global (co-owner; 2007–present) Russian Ground Forces (tank division; 1995–1997) |
| University | Belgorod State University (department of physical education; g. 2008) |
| Spouse |
Oksana
(m. 1999; div. 2006)
(m. 2014)Marina
(m. 2009; div. 2013) |
| Children | 3 |
| Notable relatives | Alexander Emelianenko (brother) |
| Notable students | Vadim Nemkov Viktor Nemkov Valentin Moldavsky Maxim Grishin |
| Notable club(s) | Champions for Peace (2011–present) |
| Medal record | ||
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Representing  Russia |
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| Men's Combat Sambo | ||
| World Championships | ||
| Bronze | 2008 St. Petersburg | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2007 Prague | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2005 Prague | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2002 Panama City | +100 kg |
| World Combat Sambo Federation | ||
| Gold | 2002 Thessaloniki | +100 kg |
| European Championships | ||
| Gold | 1999 Istanbul | +100 kg |
| Russian Championships | ||
| Gold | 2012 Moscow | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2009 Kstovo | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2008 St. Petersburg | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2007 Ulan-Ude | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2005 Kstovo | +100 kg |
| Gold | 2002 Moscow | +100 kg |
| Bronze | 2000 Orenburg | +100 kg |
| Bronze | 1998 Kaliningrad | +100 kg |
| Men's Judo | ||
| Russian Championships | ||
| Bronze | 1999 Kstovo | Open |
| Bronze | 1998 Kstovo | -100 kg |
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko (born September 28, 1976) is a retired Russian professional fighter, often called "The Last Emperor." He is famous for his skills in mixed martial arts (MMA), sambo, and judo. Many people think he is one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. For nearly a decade, from 2000 to 2010, he was almost unbeatable.
Emelianenko was the Heavyweight Champion in the famous PRIDE organization from 2003 until it closed in 2007. He was also a four-time world champion in combat sambo, a Russian martial art. He competed in major fighting organizations around the world, like Strikeforce and Bellator MMA. His exciting fights helped make MMA very popular in his home country of Russia and across the globe.
He started his MMA career in 2000 and won 27 fights in a row before his first official loss in 2010. During that time, he defeated many other famous champions. Emelianenko retired from fighting for the final time in 2023. He finished his career with a record of 40 wins and 7 losses.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Fedor Emelianenko was born in 1976 in Rubizhne, which was part of the Soviet Union. When he was two, his family moved to the city of Stary Oskol in Russia. His mother was a teacher and his father was a welder.
At age 11, Fedor started training in the martial arts of sambo and judo. His coach, Vladimir Voronov, said that Fedor wasn't the most talented at first. But he became a champion because he worked incredibly hard for many years.
After high school, Fedor served in the Russian Army from 1995 to 1997. He was a military firefighter and later worked in a tank division. When he left the army, he focused on martial arts. He won medals in national judo and sambo competitions. In 2000, he decided to become a professional MMA fighter to earn more money for his family.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Becoming a Champion in PRIDE
Emelianenko joined the Japanese fighting organization PRIDE in 2002. He quickly defeated two top fighters, Semmy Schilt and Heath Herring. This earned him a chance to fight for the PRIDE Heavyweight Championship.
In March 2003, he faced the champion, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Nogueira was a submission expert and was considered almost unbeatable. But Emelianenko dominated the fight with powerful punches and ground-and-pound. He won by unanimous decision and became the new PRIDE Heavyweight Champion. He held that title until PRIDE closed in 2007, never losing it.
Famous Fights in PRIDE
Emelianenko had many memorable fights in PRIDE.
- vs. Kevin Randleman (2004): Randleman, a powerful wrestler, slammed Fedor on his head with a move called a German suplex. It looked like a knockout, but Fedor was not hurt. He quickly recovered, got on top, and won by submission just seconds later.
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop (2005): This was a huge match between two of the best heavyweights in the world. Cro Cop was a dangerous kickboxer. He broke Fedor's nose early in the fight. But Fedor changed his strategy, took Cro Cop down, and controlled the rest of the fight to win by decision.
- vs. Mark Hunt (2006): In his last title defense in PRIDE, Fedor fought Mark Hunt, a K-1 kickboxing champion. Hunt almost submitted Fedor with an arm lock, but Fedor escaped. He then won the fight with a submission of his own, called a kimura.
Fighting in America and Japan
After PRIDE closed, Emelianenko fought for several different organizations. In 2008, he fought for a company called Affliction. He knocked out two former UFC champions, Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski, in the first round.
Strikeforce and First Losses
In 2009, Emelianenko signed with the American organization Strikeforce. He won his first fight against Brett Rogers. But in June 2010, his amazing undefeated streak came to an end. He lost to Fabrício Werdum by submission.
He then lost his next two fights against Antônio Silva and Dan Henderson. After three straight losses, many people wondered if he would retire.
First Retirement and Return
Instead of retiring, Emelianenko returned to fighting in Russia and Japan. He won three more fights, including a knockout victory over Pedro Rizzo. After the Rizzo fight in June 2012, he announced his retirement.
However, after a three-year break, Emelianenko announced his comeback in 2015. He said he missed competing. He won his return fight in Japan on New Year's Eve.
Final Years in Bellator MMA
In 2017, Emelianenko signed a contract with Bellator MMA, a major American promotion. He competed in their Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament in 2018. He defeated former champions Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen to reach the final.
In the final, he fought Ryan Bader for the vacant Bellator Heavyweight Championship but lost by knockout in the first round. He continued to fight, winning his next two matches by knockout.
His final fight was a rematch against Ryan Bader for the championship on February 4, 2023. Emelianenko lost the fight and officially retired from MMA in the ring. Many famous fighters came to honor him after his last match.
Fighting Style
Emelianenko is known for being a complete fighter. He was good at every part of mixed martial arts. He had powerful and fast punches, often throwing a looping "Russian hook." He also used his judo and sambo skills to throw opponents to the ground.
Once on the ground, he was famous for his "ground-and-pound," where he would throw fast and heavy punches at his opponent. He was very calm and focused during fights. One sports psychologist said his stare was "emotionless" and could make opponents feel like they didn't want to be there.
Many fighters, experts, and fans consider him the greatest heavyweight fighter in MMA history. He defeated seven different UFC champions during his career.
Life Outside of Fighting
Besides fighting, Emelianenko has been involved in Russian politics. In 2010, he was elected as a deputy for the Belgorod Regional Duma, which is a local government council. He also became the president of the Russian MMA Union, helping to grow the sport in his country.
Emelianenko is a practicing Orthodox Christian and has said his faith is very important to him. He is known for being a humble and quiet person outside of the ring. He has three daughters.
He has also appeared in movies and on television shows, mostly in Russia and Japan. He was one of the torchbearers for the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay in Russia.
Championships and Awards
Here are some of Emelianenko's biggest accomplishments:
- PRIDE Fighting Championships
- PRIDE Heavyweight Champion (one time, last ever)
- PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight World Grand Prix Champion
- Fighting Network RINGS
- RINGS Heavyweight Champion
- RINGS 2001 Absolute Class Tournament Winner
- Sambo
- 4-time FIAS World Combat Sambo Champion
- 7-time Russian Combat Sambo National Champion
- Awards
- Sports Illustrated Fighter of the Decade (2000s)
- Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame
See also
In Spanish: Fiódor Yemeliánenko para niños
- List of Bellator MMA alumni
- List of Strikeforce alumni
- List of Pride FC alumni
- List of male mixed martial artists
- List of Pride champions
