Considered by many to be the best MMA fighter of all times, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko was undefeated in 28 straight fights for just about 10 years and that’s truly impressive in my book.
Even though, some critics would say that he hasn’t fought for UFC and thus hasn’t competed against the truly best Heavyweights in the world and that would currently include somebody like Brock Lesnar.
Nevertheless, last Saturday Strikeforce sent Fedor into the cage to fight two-time BJJ World Champion, Fabricio “Go Horse” Werdum, from Porto Alegre, Brazil, who had a record of 13-4-1.
Sherdog ranks heavyweight Fabricio Werdum #9 in the world.
Already 2 1/2 years ago he defeated Fedor’s brother, Aleksander via arm triangle choke in the first round.
Last Saturday, Fabricio made history by dethroning “The Last Emperor” after just around 1 minute into the first round!
Check out how he made Fedor tap:
Fabricio Werdum will now get a title fight against Dutchman Alistair Overeem, who he beat 3 years ago via Kimura, and so he continues to manifest his reputation as a formidable submission fighter.
I have been following the career of one of UFC’s absolute superstars for some time now and I gotta tell ya, GSP does not seize to amaze me for a lot of reasons.
Refreshingly, Georges St. Pierre is simply a very down to earth and likeable guy. The kind of guy you could just sit down with and have a beer or whatever.
The Canadian from Quebec has stayed very humble and modest even after all the breathtaking success he has had on the mat and in The Octagon.
Unarguably, Georges has become one of the outstanding figures of MMA worldwide with a very strong background in kyokunshinkai karate and wrestling.
He is consistenty ranked among the Top 4 Pound-For-Pound MMA-fighters in the world, along with Fedor Emelianenko, Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida.
Georges is very methodical in his workout that includes a lot of cross training with plyometrics.
His inclination to being extemely analytical when preparing for his next opponent continues to pay off for him, too.
He is very professional in his approach to fighting, career choices and the way he presents himself.
Recently I came across a magazine headline that made reference to the physical results of his training regimen and lifestyle.
“Georges St. Pierre, The Body Women Desire And Men Admire”.
Brett “The Grim” Rogers gave his best to dethrone Strikeforce’s World Heavyweight Champ Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko tonight.
Rogers entered the fight with a 10-0 record and in the first couple of seconds of the first round he gave Fedor a really bloody nose with the first punch he threw. And the cage got bloody indeed.
Rogers made it admirably into the second round and definitely got Fedor’s respect, I have no doubt about that.
Until Fedor connected with one right cross to Rogers’ chin that knocked his opponent to the canvas and there he finished Rogers off after 1 minute and 48 seconds in the second round in a way that MMA fans have now seen over the years.
The soft-spoken and humble Emperor did not give up his crown: He now has 31 wins under his belt, I mean crown, and his reign continues.
Fedor offered a rematch and Brett Rogers has already accepted.
With his win, Fedor undoubtedly continues to be on Dana White’s radar.
Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko and Brett Rogers will be fighting
November 7 in the U.S. and you can even watch the Strikeforce event
on CBS.
And, of course, it will be the main event of the fight night.
Why?
Well, because Fedor is still considered one of the top Pound-For-Pound
MMA fighters (at times even the Number One).
When it comes to being a heavyweight MMA fighter, Fedor is regarded by many
as the Numero Uno in the world.
Why?
I’m not so sure, because honestly, I’m starting to think that Fedor’s reputation and
a 30-1 fight record during the last years was only established in non-UFC bouts.
It would be quite intriguing to watch Fedor fight against UFC’s current top
contenders (not former top competitors) and most certainly to see him fight the
reigning UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar.
But somehow I doubt it’s gonna happen.
Fedor’s not getting any younger and Dana White hasn’t been able to work
out a deal with him (yet).
And then there is Brock Lesnar who appears to be getting more experienced, bolder,
stronger and faster. Stay out of his way!
So, in the meantime MMA fans everywhere continue to argue whether Fedor really is
the best (heavyweight) MMA fighter in the world. Maybe even of all times!
Is he or is he not?
And what happens to all the hoopla if Fedor happens to lose against Brett Rogers?
Are we in the Year Era of the Dragon aka Lyoto Machida?
Lyoto “Dragon” Machida has very quietly become one of THE Rock Stars
of MMA and the UFC in particular.
Just the other day I was talking to a friend about how and why Machida
got to where he is today.
Here are my Top 7 Reasons:
1. The Light-Heavyweight Division is undisputedly considered the UFC’s
Rock Star Division and the 31 year old Lyoto Machida is currently
their World Champion with a clean 15-0 record.
2. Machida is ranked as the #4 Pound for Pound Fighter in the world
(he only trails George St. Pierre, Anderson “Spider” Silva and Fedor
“The Last Emperor” Emelianenko)
3. Machida’s fighting style in considered semi-orthodox (whatever that
means), by some even boring. He is an extremely efficient counter-
striker with a hit rate of a whopping 65 percent, compared to the
“industry average” of around 35%.
4. His patience in the ring/Octagon drives his opponent nuts, causing
them to take the initiative and make costly mistakes.
5. Machida has not taken the blows (= punishment) many other UFC
titleholders experience to stay at the top.
6. Machida’s arsenal of tools is rather impressive. He has mastered
Shotokan Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and even Sumo.
And somehow Machida is able to make all this work together to get
the job done.
7. With his English language skills quickly improving, Machida is becoming
extremely marketable in English-speaking countries, especially the U.S.,
where his fan base is growing by the day.
UFC President Dana White knows a winner when he sees one.
He is saying that Machida’s upcoming fight against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
has the potential to be one of best UFC Light-Heavyweight matches in the Octagon.
