Five misconceptions about Fedor Emelianenko

As Fedor Emelianenko heads into what has been billed as his “farewell bout”, misconceptions about “The Last Emperor” continue to swirl around the internet. It is one thing for a fighter to be called “the greatest martial artist of all time” by promoters, fans and management times; it is quite another to receive such praise from a fighter’s peers. Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez and others have gone on record saying that Emelianenko was one of the best.

Despite his record of 33 wins, 4 losses and 1 “No Contest“; some detractors look to find fault with Fedor. In a day and age when “Hall of Fame Inductees” are announced with records of 18-10 (Randy Couture) and 21-8 (Chuck Liddell); it is time to put these unfounded rumors to rest.

Fedor was created by the media as the “best fighter of all time”

This is pure myth, because it never happened. Between 2001 and 2009, he fought a solid 27-fight win streak. Prior to that he had 4 victories and a single controversial loss in Japan due to a doctor stoppage. Fedor was a relatively unknown fighter until his later years in PRIDE, even in his native Russia; he was virtually unknown and could walk around without people recognizing him.

Fedor’s training methods are poor

Fedor’s home base was the Alexander Nevsky gym in Stariy Oskol, where he trained under some of the best Russian coaches. He has recently been training at a world-class, state of the art facility: Special Sports Gym in Amstelveen, Holland; one of the best gyms in all of Europe. Fedor makes use of world-class strength and conditioning coaches, including kick-boxer and instructor, Peter Tiejsse as a striking coach. Teijsse has an impressive pedigree, training such fighters as Ernesto Hoost, Johan Vos, Jan Plas and Gerard Gordeau. In the meantime, most of his peers are still training in glorified warehouses and storage facilities.

Fedor has really only been able to beat washed up UFC fighters

Just about every former UFC champion that he beat held a TOP 3 ranking at the time of their bout including Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia. By the same token, Fedor has defeated up-and-coming fighters like former UFC Interim Champion Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, twice before he made it to the UFC.

Fedor has no ground game

This one is repeated ad nauseaum in spite of his 16 career submissions over: Tim Sylvia, Choi Hong-man, Matt Lindland, Mark Hunt, Mark Coleman, Wagner Martins, Naoya Ogawa, Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman, Kazuyuki Fujita, Egidijus Valavi?ius, Lee Hasdell, Kerry Schall, Mihail Apostolov, Levon Lagvilava and Martin Lazarov. In his history of 38 fights he has never lost by decision and was only submitted once, by Fabricio Werdum. Whenever I hear the above statement, I wonder what fights those critics are watching.

Fedor has no charisma

Charisma is not measured by trash talk. The Last Emperor attracts a lot of fans and fighters as well as people who idolize him, who judge him strictly by his achievements as a fighter. Add to that, that he always carries himself in a humble manner, endearing him to his fans as being extremely likeable. His current striking coach, Peter Tiejsse, said it best recently: “Fedor never displays any ‘star-like’ behavior. He is always accessible and open when his fans approach him for an autograph or to take a picture. Fedor never acts superior. He is incredibly humble, accessible and normal; everyone loves him for that.”

 Further reading: Fedor Emelianenko talks Pedro Rizzo, still unsure on retirement (Interview)

 

Fedor Emelianenko will be facing Pedro Rizzo in St. Petersburg, Russia. This has been billed as his farewell fight. In light of this, would Lowkicker’s prefer to see him continue for a few more years or simply retire with dignity? While I will never see my dream fight of Fedor vs. Couture, in a perfect world with a few more bouts, who would you like to see Fedor take on? Do you agree or disagree with the assessment above?

 Use your keyboard in the comments section to let us know!