Ronda Rousey Wishes Fedor Emelianenko Success In ‘Difficult’ Comeback
Fedor Emelianenko was once regarded as the best mixed martial artist in the world. For years, “The Last Emperor” reigned supreme when he fought for RINGS and Pride Fighting Championships. At one point, Emelianenko’s only blemish was a controversial TKO loss to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka back in late 2000.
“The Last Emperor” avenged the loss in 2005 when he battered Kohsaka for his own TKO win. All the way up to his second Strikeforce bout, many felt Emelianenko was unbeatable. That thought blew up in smoke when he faced current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum in June 2010. “”Vai Cavalo” caught Emelianenko in a triangle armbar, forcing “The Last Emperor” to tap out for the first time in his career.
What followed for Emelianenko were two losses that were hard for fans of “The Last Emperor” to stomach. The former Pride FC heavyweight champion suffered two straight TKO defeats at the hands of Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson, who was a former Pride FC champion as well. Following his run under the Strikeforce banner, Emelianenko bounced back with three straight wins, but the competition wasn’t nearly as stiff. Emelianenko knocked out Pedro Rizzo in what was supposed to be his last bout.
Now that Emelianenko will be returning to active competition, one female mixed martial arts (MMA) stalwart is sending her good wishes to “The Last Emperor” on Reddit (via Bloody Elbow). That person is current UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey:
“After (a) prolonged absence, it is always difficult to come back, but I wish him success.”
Perhaps now that Emelianenko has went and got himself “swole,” he may find the “success” that Rousey wishes. After all, it appears to be working just fine for “Rowdy,” who is fresh off her 34-second destruction of former foe, Bethe Correia.
