The great debate: Fedor Emelianenko and his place among the MMA elite
by Jesse Holland on Nov 10, 2009 3:04 PM EST
316 comments
UFC President Dana White thinks Fedor Emelianenko is a fraud. A flabby relic from the mismanaged days of PRIDE that now hides behind the iron curtain, emerging only to fight hand-picked opponents that pose no threat to a self-proclaimed legacy.
In fact, White is so sure that the Russian heavyweight is at the bottom of the divisional rankings that he was willing to write him a blank check after Affliction MMA imploded under the weight of its own spending.
That makes sense.
Imagine how quickly the men in white coats would come to collect you if you walked onto the lot of an auto auction and told the yard barker: "I've got a check for five million dollars, please give me the biggest piece of shit on the lot."
Ever since the fall of PRIDE, there have been a lot of hard feelings between the UFC and Emelianenko's camp and I suspect a great deal of that has been "The Last Emperor's," ability to escape the Zuffa monopoly.
Men with White's power and ultimately White's greed are used to getting what they want. What do men in power want? Everything. Yet "those crazy Russians" have balked at every attempt the UFC has made to secure the WAMMA champion as their own.
And why wouldn't they, especially when M-1 can have a monopoly of their own? As long as Emelianenko keeps winning, Vadim and the Finkelchtein Express can continue cashing in at the expense of other promotions who need an established headliner.
In the world of playground politics we call that "Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers."
While M-1 and UFC continue to argue over who the bigger A-hole is, fans of mixed martial arts are left with one of the most heated debates in the history of this young sport.
Is the man known as "Fedor" the greatest mixed martial artist of all time?
That, like the asinine "pound-for-pound" ranking system, is impossible to prove with any sort of irrefutable evidence.
I've been following Emelianenko since his 2003 win over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE 25: "Body Blow." I expected him to lose that fight against "Big Nog," because at the time I didn't think anyone could overcome "Minotauro's" incomparable balance of boxing and jiu-jitsu.
And therein lies the problem with trying to qualify the greatness of a fighter such as Emelianenko. Many pundits believe, as Dana White does, that current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar would smash the M-1 star with relative ease.
It's certainly within the realm of possibility.
No fighter is invincible. Anderson Silva has put together a string of victories that on paper look like the work of fiction, going 11-0 since PRIDE: "Shockwave 2004" and stopping ten of those fights by (T)KO or submission.
Yet during the span of his career, "The Spider" was also submitted twice, by fighters that would never be mistaken for title contenders.
Another one of today's top stars, Georges St. Pierre, has completely re-written the playbook on wrestling defense inside the Octagon. "Rush" seems to grow more dominant with each contest and could be one or two fights away from cleaning out the entire UFC 170-pound division.
But there was a time when St. Pierre was submitted by Matt Hughes and knocked out by Matt Serra just a few years later. Was the Canadian the far-and-away better fighter than "The Terror" at UFC 69? Of course, but this is what makes mixed martial arts so great.
A lot of people laud the sport for its unpredictability, but I disagree. Because of the nature of combat sports, I believe it is the margin for error -- not random chance -- that causes so many jaw-dropping upsets.
Randy Couture dodged an oncoming lunchbox in the second round of his fight against Brock Lesnar back at UFC 91 in November of 2008. Unfortunately the tail end of that punch clipped him on the fade-away and crumpled the elder statesman, forcing his heavyweight belt into the arms of the former WWE headliner.
Was it a bookie-busting upset? No, but it was a perfect example of how one small error can end a fight, especially in the new-look heavyweight division, where most of the upcoming fighters can bench-press a Volkswagen.
If I was asked to pick the best fighter currently competing at this present time, it would probably be Anderson Silva, for his amazing run over the past four years and the level of competition he's faced.
Sure, he had that stinker against Thales Leites at UFC 97, but it's difficult to fight someone who spends more time on their back than "The Huntington Beach Bad Girl."
Now if I had to pick the best fighter of all time, my first pick has to be Fedor Emelianenko. Again, I won't dispute that a fighter exists in the UFC that may have the tools to beat him, but I cannot ignore the body of work this fighter has compiled over the past nine years.
To go 31-1, including 27 straight, is an astounding achievement in the world of professional fighting. Is his record populated with the occasional can or overgrown freak show? Sure, but show me an elite fighter that hasn't fought a pretender at some point in his career.
Matt Hughes, widely considered one of the most dominant welterweights of all time, crushed so many cans in his career they've named a wing after him at the office building of the Environmental Protection Agency.
You can't excuse Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva for losing to lesser competition while simultaneously condemning Fedor Emelianenko for beating it.
After stopping Brett Rogers on November 7 under the Strikeforce banner, Emelianenko received heavy criticism for his performance during the fight -- just as he did when he knocked out former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning."
He could be the only fighter in history to be so widely panned for a winning performance. When Travis Lutter had Anderson Silva mounted at UFC 67 and began raining down punches, "Spider's" eventual escape and submission win were heralded as an "amazing comeback."
Yet when Fedor escaped the mount and ground-and-pound of Brett Rogers last Saturday night, he was "exposed."
No concessions for "The Grim" outweighing him by fifty pounds, no free pass because it was his first fight inside a cage, just a lot of finger pointing.
Great achievement is the bearer of great expectation, I suppose.
Conversely, the loyal fans of Fedor can sometimes be just as irrational. I try to remain realistic with my belief that a fighter exists who can eventually end his impressive winning streak.
The position Brock Lesnar had against Frank Mir to end their fight at UFC 100 looked about as inescapable as any position I've seen. Lesnar has a very good chance of beating Emelianenko -- but I don't think he's half the fighter that Fedor is.
How does that work?
Lesnar has five professional fights. One of them is to a Korean crab cake named Min Soo Kim, who's continued to dazzle audiences with his impressive 3-6 record.
Another two have been against the hot-and-cold Frank Mir. One of those ended in a loss. In Lesnar's defense, he did rebound with a victory over the barely-heavyweight Randy Couture, who cashes his UFC check on the same day of the month that he cashes his social security check.
Lesnar is big, powerful and talented. But in the world of MMA, he's proven very little. How will he respond when he's rocked by an A-level striker? Can he escape the submission attempts of a jiu-jitsu black belt?
The one chance he had to prove that he could was at UFC 81, and he failed.
I've seen Fedor get rocked and I've seen Fedor in submission trouble. I've also seen him cough up a round on separate occasions. Yet no matter how precarious the situation, Fedor always finds a way to come back and win.
I can't say that he would beat any other heavyweight out there because I don't know that for sure. What I do know is that since getting sliced open by Tsuyoshi Kosaka at Rings: "King of Kings" way back in December of 2000, Emelianenko has put together one of the greatest runs through any division in all of mixed martial arts.
Some performances were astonishing, some were barely enough to get by. In both instances, he found a way to win. That to me is what the legacy of Fedor Emelianenko is all about: A fighter at the top of his game who continues to win in a sport that allows only the tiniest margin for error.
There will always be individual greatness in the sport of mixed martial arts. It's just unfortunate that sometimes it requires us to look past our promotional allegiances to see it.
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no.1 imo.hes for the best part of his whole career come in at a weight disadvantage and despite being in trouble has always found a way to win.
by scott on Nov 10, 2009 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
No dount, better fighters finish Fedor in that top position!
No doubt Fedor did what Fedor does!
those are two viable opinions on the outcome of the fight.
Dana White (if Fedor was in the UFC right now) would be saying Fedor is the best, but he can’t! Do you ever see a Mercedes commercial saying “buy Mercedes even though Lexus is a superior car?” Dana may Love mma, but he is also a business man! some of you are too naive or too stupid to realize this! also Brock would give Fedor a great fight, and if it went to the ground, Fedor would be in trouble, that said, I think Fedor catches brock with a looping right and KO’s Brock… that said, we will NEVER know!
Who will Fedor fight next? don’t say Werdum, who cares, don’t say Overeem, he’s proven he won’t fight in the states. The Fedor bashing will continue if he keeps fighting in the minor leagues!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t see Fedor getting TKO’d by anybody including Lesnar, Kevin. I understand that Dana is a business man but maybe he could show a little more respect to Fedor in his comments about him. Fedor doesn’t give a sh*t about Dana and I think he genuinely dislikes him. The more crap that spews out of Dana’s mouth the less likely I feel we will see Fedor in the UFC.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lesnar doesn’t need to KO Fedor to win. LOL
Spot on Kevin(although, I think Lesnar wins that match up, he’s too skilled on the ground and too big), great post.
by The Buffalo on Nov 10, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree he dislikes him and I don’t think he’ll ever fight in the ufc… the UFC doesn’t need Fedor or M-1! Fedor has sold 100,000 ppv’s on his best event on ppv, he’s unmarketable and has a management team that really thinks they bring something to the table. It would be like me filling water bottles in my kitchen and then calling aquafina and saying I deserve 1 million dollars a year to have their label put on my water. I think this is a good comparison.
Is Fedor the #1 HW in the world at this moment? YES! does Dana White have to admit it? NO! Did a B level fighter put a beat down on Fedor and then get KO"D? That is irrelivent guys (those of you saying Fedor was losing)… HE WON THE FRIGGIN FIGHT! I coulda banged Rhianna last week, but I didn’t so it doesn’t count!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, he had that stinker against Thales Leites at UFC 97, but it’s difficult to fight someone who spends more time on their back than "The Huntington Beach Bad Girl."
classic
by JG on Nov 10, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t say that he needed to KO Fedor. What I’m saying is that even if Brock got Fedor down I don’t think he could finish him with GNP. Not him, not anyone.
On the feet, Fedor would knock Brock out just as fast, if not faster than he knocked out Rogers.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol.
Fedor always wins argument.
Counter: Fedor doesn’t consistently fight top competition 3 or more times per year.
Fedor is the greatest heavyweight.
Counter: Fedor almost lost to a guy selling tires a year ago.
Fedor always wins.
Counter: So what? Some people who were great 3 years ago before all the freak athletes arrived are no longer good. Champions from 5 years ago can’t even fight in the sport. You need the whole package now.
IT DOES MATTER HOW YOU WIN.
People talk about how Fedor has been rocked but pulls it out everytime. Well, luck runs out. If Fedor fights Brock and Carwin a dozen times and gets rocked on the ground like he did, he will not win EVERY fight. People say, “doesn’t matter because he won”. What do you say to the Shogun fight then, “doesn’t matter, Lyoto won.” How you win matters. Winning narrowly or under dispute is NOT winning like Cain Valasquez won his last fight.
Fedor is a great fighter and probably is the #1 guy in the world YET if he were in the UFC fighting 3 top contenders per year, he would lose within a year or 2. He couldn’t put on a 9 fight streak like GSP or Anderson. Maybe if there was a 230 lbs weight class, but Fedor vs. 275 lbs monsters will equal trouble.
And people saying Brock hasn’t won everytime. Lol! Brock started in the UFC fighting top guys from day one. Maybe he had 1 or 2 warm up fights but Fedor’s first 20 fights only a few guys were names. Fedor has fought guys that are LHWs.
Lets face it. MMA competition in 2000 when Fedor started is much different than today. People like Crocop that were considered the best are now almost afterthoughts. Fedor will be beaten if he comes to the UFC, it is just a matter of time.
by JeremyJackscan on Nov 10, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh good…just what we need…another Fedor thread to rehash the same arguments over and over and over again.
by Buster Bluth on Nov 10, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A pretty anti Dana and UFC in general article Mania. Parts i agree with and parts i don’t.
1) It is not Dana’s fault that Fedor is not in the UFC. The fact that M1 wouldn’t budge in the slightest from their hugely unrealistic co-promotion request is the reason he fights elsewhere.
2)Dana is a businessman and he is only looking after the UFC by slating Fedor. Deep down he knows that he is the man, thats why he offered him the biggest contract in UFC history.
3) Fedors place. Fedor is the best fighter in the heavyweight division, no questions asked. But, could Brock beat him?? Yes maybe. That is largly down to his size and suffocating G&P but he could pull off a win. Fedor would be favourite in my book but not by much.
4) Legacy. This is where anyone who thinks any different must have been rummaging through Whitney Houston’s ‘medication’… His legacy is unmatched in MMA. He has gone ‘undefeated’ through a career of fighting top compeition for nearly ten years. No-one else comes close.
Overall it just bugs me that we will never see him in the UFC like I will never nail the best looking girl from my school but I got over it and so must everyone else, it aint happening.
by Nick J on Nov 10, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But why “slate” Fedor? Whatever the phuck slate means. He gives respect to other fighters that are outside the UFC. Why constantly disrespect a guy (legend) that you want to have in your company? I don’t get it.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I take that back. I didn’t realise there was more after the jump. Just read it all and its pretty much exactly what i think so i will just crawl back under my rock and nod along.
by Nick J on Nov 10, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s a great fighter no denying that and I don’t think anyones argueing that unless they got into dummy calling contest with another poster whats being debated by most is who would win right now between Brock and Fedor and some even debating if Carwin or mir can beat Fedor no one argueing that he isn’t a great fighter they are argueing who the best is.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Slate means disrespect or have a go at. I’m from the UK, its a common word here. Anyway, like i said and Kevin said above.
It is because he is a businessman and he is protecting his empire. Say it goes unchallenged that Fedor is the best fighter in the world, why would someone shell out $50 or whatever it is to watch Brock when they can watch Fedor for free.
He is protecting his PPV sales.
by Nick J on Nov 10, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You don’t have to promote the guy but why disrespect him? That pisses off UFC nuthuggers like myself. Even I can recognize that the best mma fighter on the planet isn’t in the UFC.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good post JEREMY JACKSON. good post. that’s the truth.
by the still operator on Nov 10, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent article Jesse, I agree 100% with your points.
Dana should just shut up when talking about the competition, he comes across as arrogant and clueless when he bashes Fedor, SF, boxing, Mayweather et al.
Nobody is going to take Dana serious if he bashes a fighter with a 31-1 record who has already beaten the other top HWs in their prime including former UFC champions as well as a top 3 HW in the UFC (Big Nog) twice back when he looked unbeatable. He just looks silly, offering huge money for Fedor one minute then calling him an overrated fighter the next, plus it pisses off Fedor and puts him off joining the UFC.
Dana’s mouth made MMA look foolish when Mayweather destroyed the UFC in the head-to-head buyrate and made himself look like a hypocrite who doesn’t know what he’s talking after his dealings with Fedor and Kimbo. He’s also driven out Rampage, possibly lost Hendo, and did lose Randy and Tito. Until Dana learns when not to talk about something, he’s going to continue to hinder the growth of the sport and the UFC brand. Recently he’s looked as two faced, clueless and sleazy as notorious boxing promoters like Don King and Frank Warren.
I don’t want Dana to blow all of the hard work him, Zuffa and the fighters have done because of his stubborn and pointless rants. Why discuss contract negotiations or the competition? It’s not helping his cause and is just bringing more attention to subjects he wants to be kept quiet. Baffling.
by David W-S on Nov 10, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bottome line, Fedor ducks the best competition, so is he really the best. I don’t know and no one else does. Silva on the other hand fights the best and wins, so we know he is the best… Best PFP, easy..Silva Fedor, a wanna be who fights to protect his legacy, not to fight to test his skills agianst the best.
by Cantrim on Nov 11, 2009 1:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yea……..(thales leites). dont you think somone wouldve beaten fedor in 32 fihgts if he was a wanna be
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 1:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just thought I’d say I totally agree with your article Jesse and the way you broke everything down.
It is important for people to realise the legacy of Fedor as many new people get into this sport and are disillusioned by negative UFC fanboys that will always hate Fedor for one reason or another while seeming to look for any negative reasoning to discredit Fedors achievements in this sport. As you clearly exlained it is easy to say negative things about any fighter even the so called P4P greats.
Shamelessly I am a HUGE fedor fan but I am not living in a dream world to think that he cannot be beaten whether its by a hage behemoth like Brock or a smaller HW that could catch him cleanly and knock him out but what I always find amazing and why I am such a big fan is that he seems to use all the attributes that he has to his best abilities even though he is often the much smaller fighter. His use of aggression / technique / speed / escaping danger and sometimes putting himself in danger to win is what I always found amazing about his fighting style.
THIS IS WHY I WILL ALWAYS BE A FEDOR FAN FOR LIFE!
Whether he continues to win or lose it will be very difficult for anyone to match what this guy has achieved and represents in this highly competitive and unpredictable world of MMA.
ALL HAIL KING FEDOR!! LOL
by Ca$z on Nov 11, 2009 6:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m really sick of this Fedor ducks top competition bs. Everyone and I mean everyone agreed that Arlovski and Barnett were the undisputed number 2 and 3 HWs in the world. Fedor knocked Arlvoski out, he stood with him toe to toe. I challenge Brock to try the same and I promise you it won’t be the same out come. Then if it weren’t for Barnett fearing Brock and roiding up he would have taken out the number 3 hw. So to say he avoids top competition is ridiculous. He then went on to stand and trade with a knock out artist that is Brett. He knocked him out. Now Werdum who is still a top ten fighter imo doesn’t matter because Fedor out classes him so much? And Alistar won’t matter either? Alistar isn’t a tough opponent? You know just like Jesse I dont’ buy that Fedor is unbeatable but I do appreciate that he isn’t afraid of anyone.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Nov 11, 2009 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love it. You’ve got Tito Ortiz, The Diaz brothers, BJ Penn, Brock Lesnar, Matt Serra… to name a few. These guys all talk a ton of shit constantly and self promote themselves all the time. Yet not at their best times have they done well over 1000 posts in three days on this site without even saying one word. I personally think Fedor is doing exactly what he needs to do. He is the Greatest Heavyweight fighter in the history of MMA (most well rounded) and has nothing to prove to anyone. He is slowly making his presence known to even the casual fans and he is doing it without saying a word. He is doing it with winning regardless of who he is fighting. When people see him win the way he has and do it consistently they are going to know who he is. All I have to say is I hope he keeps doing what he wants and doesn’t sell out like 90% of the fighters in the UFC. He lets his fighting speak for him and that is what a true champion should do.
by MMAFan1981 on Nov 11, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
kev i knew you had to pipe up!!maybe better fighters could finish fedor in that position(name them) but fedor could also catch a trailing arm or leg quite easily aswell.he will fight werdum or overeem next thats a formality.
by scott on Nov 10, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin…one could certainly make the case that Overeem or Rogers could beat Brock…so the “minor leagues” statement is sort of moot.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you know what I mean intro, and other than those 2, who do they have? Don’t disagree just to disagree intro (even though thats generally what you do), you’re a smart guy and do get my point!
Buffalo, I agree, Brock beats ANYONE if the fight hits the ground!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
C’mon Kev…you can’t use the argument that Fedor has to fight the UFC’s roster to be the best….then at the same time use the assumption that Brock doesn’t have to beat anyone else on SF’s roster.
If Fedor has to fight the UFC’s roster, than Brock has to fight Strikeforce’s….it’s as simple as that.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you know what i am saying.
by the still operator on Nov 10, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
brock beats anyone on the ground. you must be one of those people whos eonly seen brock fight as many times as fedor. fedor had 6 times the amount of wins brocks has fights. Brock hasnt proven that he can take on all comers on any platform. is he impressive….yes but still has to prove alot before hes even mentioned in the same breath as fedor.
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 1:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Then again you never see a Mercedez commercial that says, “Lexus? Lexus is a fucking joke, OK? Lexus drivers are at buffets somewhere, gorging their fat faces because they couldn’t get in the doors of any nice restaurants! Lexus can’t cut it, they’re out-dated and don’t compete with the big boys.”
by Space on Nov 10, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin, using your analogy, you normally dont hear Mercedes say it would destroy Lexus and Lexus is a piece of garbage, and when a company does specifically call out another company it is because it is more popular and the said company is attempting to draw away from thier marketshare….. I do believe Fedor has more international name recognition than Brock and that is what Dana is attempting to move in on….
by ItsCalledMMAnotUFC on Nov 10, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brock “wrestled” in japan for a few years and the japanese love their wrestling, so thats debateable.
You guys never cease to amaze me, the analogy wasn’t a fact, it was an example. you all got my point, but have to tell me I’m wrong. It’s called an example for a reason guys! I saw a coke/pepsi analogy this morning, same thing. Coke isn’t gonna come out and say: “pepsi is such a superior product to coke>” you douche bags knew what I meant though!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin, I didnt mean to offend I was just trying to use your analogy to make my point….Just looking to respond to the possible reason Dana is attacking Fedor after offering him huge sums of money. My example was also meant to emphasize Dana’s lack of professionalism when referring to fighters which barely any company president can rival. All the companies you mentioned have never addressed their competion with such disrespect..I wasnt trying to poke holes in your argument, just trying to use it to make mine…….BTW you have made a good point that Brock does have international stock, but I still believe Fedor exceeds Brock in recognition in that market…In my opinion….
by ItsCalledMMAnotUFC on Nov 10, 2009 7:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dana offered Fedor the brinks truck and waved champions clause because he genuinely believes Brock will beat him! Thats why they offered money, it was gonna be a get beat and get fired type situation.
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
your crazy kevin, dana wouldnt offer a fighter way more money than he has ever offered anyone if he didnt believe in his heart, that he is the best in the world. All the stuff about putting down fedor is because he didnt sign, but you can bet, if fedor signed with the UFC, dana would be talking about how fedor is the greatest.
by dtoto on Nov 11, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mania, the reason he was willing to write the blank check was to prove everyone who thinks he is better than everyone in the UFC wrong… its really not like your car analogy at all!!!
by ---Caesar--- on Nov 10, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Kev….
by SluggerCitySoldier(Shogun got ROBBED) on Nov 10, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor is the best heavyweight ever…period. You cannot take that away from him if only for one reason…Minotauro. Nog was and is one of the best in the world and Fedor beat him soundly. Not everyone he fought was a can. He beat Cro Cop when Cro Cop was a Killer. He beat the best and worst that were put in front of him. He always won. Who else can say that?…What other fighter can say they beat everyone that was put in front of them(dismissing the loss for the cut)? No one…Case closed.
by knowone on Nov 10, 2009 9:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If the biggest piece of sh*t in the lot was a car that people were demanding for me to buy and a car that people would pay me to drive and I was already really rich and it was my job to drive the cars that people want me to drive, then yes I may offer 5 mill for it.
by RyanHobbs on Nov 10, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d love to see Fedor fight Overeem! Alistair is a really dangerous fighter right now, and I think it would be a great match-up. Who cares if he doesn’t fight in the States!
by Kazuya on Nov 11, 2009 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Buffalo, lesnar is too skilled in the ground? coture was giving up at least 70lbs, and was outwrestling lesnar, at one time reversing him on the ropes and lesnar being in danger of being picked up and put on his back. Randy was well on his way to winning that fight, as he was beating brock in the standup, and brock wasnt taking him down anymore. Are you telling me randy who hits about as hard as gina carrano was doing that , fedor with his incredible hand speed punching power and accuracy wouldnt flatten brock? Fedor is much more dangerous on the ground than randy, 5 time world HW sambo champ, and stronger than randy, his wrestling is also great. Brock is fast, but fedor has the speed of a MW, and would make brock look slow. He is also the smartest fighter out there with the most heart, im sure he would study tape of a fighter, like randy while giving up that much weight basically neutralizing brocks takedowns, and making it a standup. after that evruones chin is the same, one blast from fedor and brock would crumple to the ground
by dtoto on Nov 11, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s the people who hate on him who’ve created this image of invincibility. The lengths they go to decry his skills make it seem like he’s a god. You wanna see fedor in a fight taht he should have lost? You don’t have to speculate – go watch his match with Arona. Most who’ve watched him his whole career know that Fedor gets hurt and makes mistakes, but he never makes big enough ones to lose fights. He has been doing it since the beginning of his career. He’s one of very few who can gameplan in the middle of a fight under fire. Adding that to his surprising athleticism and technical skills is what makes him great.
by NameNotRequired on Nov 10, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
very good post NNR…Fedor is one of a kind in mulitiple senses…he’s basically become a walking legend or myth…the fact that he’s chosen to be completely unmarketable has made him marketable, with staying power…his record, and history make him “the” best ever but his choice to “keep it real” make him a legend…in all seriousness, as weird as it sounds, Fedor is the ANTI-DANA…the fact that he’s introverted, quiet and humble only add to his legend
by McArthur on Nov 10, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
great post mcarthur,in fact my mate at work has just got into mma(only thought there was the ufc!!) and has watched fedor against mister poopy,arlovski and brett rogers.he commented about his skills and demeanour and commented that there was something mystical about him!he just carries this aura and i hope he retires undefeated!!
by scott on Nov 10, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There’s no myth he’s a great fighter thats for sure but he has not beat the best fighters today so he disputed on how good he is and with valid points the big one is he has only two top five HW on his resume and they were by Decision win what makes you so sure he can beat a top five today?
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s the greatest HW fighter to strap a pair of mitts on to this point. Is he still the best today though? I doubt it.
by jay on Nov 10, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
IPuck Head – I see where your comin from and agree…despite my the fact that I agree who are the top 5 HW’s…they seem to change with every fight no? Mir beat NOG, Silvia beat AA, Mir beat Lesner, Carwin beat Gonzaga, and so on…Rogers could beat any of the aforementioned fighters and could lose to any as well on any given night…Rogers, imo, could beat Mir, NOG, Cain etc. but could also lose. The fact remains that Fedor doesn’t lose and never has. He finds a way and thats what makes him the best
by McArthur on Nov 10, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
great write up too Jesse!!! One of your best imo.
“You can’t excuse Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva for losing to lesser competition while simultaneously condemning Fedor Emelianenko for beating it.”
Well said….sums up the fickle North American sports fan to a tee
by McArthur on Nov 10, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well unfortunately Mac, the legend only becomes a myth due to the haters and doubters.
To all you haters, just accept the fact that Fedor doesn’t give a rusty f**k about Dana and the UFC so you could all just suck it up!
by Syd on Nov 10, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
exactly…Fedor doesn’t say no to fights, doesn’t claim he’s the best, he just is
by McArthur on Nov 10, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
your right, name. FEDOR EVEN if he is losing, is thinking the whole fight, finds a weakness and wins, also he is evolving, just cause some fighters gave him a tough matchup in pride doesnt mean he hasnt evolved. Im sure anderson lost, and was in tough foughts in pride, could anyone of those people come close now? The point is unlike crocop and nog, fedor has way more heart, and has evolved way past them. He is the smartest fighter out there, and learns from each fight, but what separates him from the rest is his heart, you can break his ribs, nose, both legs, but without even showing emotion he will still win, that comes from being raised so poor in russia, that by comparision, brett rogers would seem to have a pampered childhood, that is where his hunger, will to win, and heart comes from, and no one has come from as poor and disadvsantiged environment as fedor. that is why fighter like bj penn are so spoiled and mentally weak, never had to struggle
by dtoto on Nov 11, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All man….im not doing this again,All i have to say is if Fedors not a fraud once his contract is finished with m-1 he will come to the UFC to make a hell of a lot more money and to put on some legitimate quality fights that the fans want to see.Or he’ll keep fighting in the minor leagues continuously displaying what little heart he really has.
by The Legacy on Nov 10, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
mark my words, as long as M-1 is involved, Fedor will never fight for the UFC! He will go to Dream or resign with strikeforce. M-1 needs to co-promote, UFC doesn’t!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
People like to bring up “quality fights”. The reality is that the HW division as a whole is by far the weakest of any division, organization-wide. Fedor’s current place among the elite can be debated, but this idea that the UFC’s HW division is so stacked is ludicrous. A strong argument can be made that a healthy Nog is still the best HW the UFC has, and Fedor already has multiple wins over Nog who was then closer to his prime. Aside from Lesnar, there is not another potential matchup for Fedor in the UFC that’s more dangerous to Fedor than Rogers was last weekend.
by CL on Nov 10, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
not a carwin fan at all, but he has a chance. he was rocked by a very big punch from gonzaga and delivered a huge one back. he can take and give.
by Egads on Nov 10, 2009 11:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i agree egads bu i like carwin i mean he can actually fight lesnar was too scared to stand with mir. you could see because he just went for the takedwon when he got rocked and because mir did even try to move when on bottom he just took punches to the face so what happenens when you have an amazing person who actually is not stop fighting against a guy who just tries to lay on people and throw one punch every minute its boring not exciting i hate brock he might be big and a good wrestler but i bet that if fedor took steroids and was in wwe he would have more respect?
by blarg on Nov 11, 2009 3:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“continuously displaying what little heart he really has.”
You’ve just proven that you have no idea who Fedor even is.
Stupid comment.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Peazy chill out before i hold you down and comb your hair,Intro how in the heck can you say he has heart when hes been ducking the better competition for over 4 or 5 years now…your out crazy.Its obvious he’s guarding his record youd have to be Stevie Wonder not to see that or possibly a buffoon…your pick.Chuck hasn’t looked the best since Page derailed him but given the oppurtunity he’d still jump up and fight any of the top lhws in the world on any given sunday…thats the difference between a real fighter and coward like your boy.True story.
by The Legacy on Nov 10, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
who has Fedor ducked? And don’t say everyone in the UFC…their contracts expire too and if fighting Fedor is soo imortant, then why not leave the UFC to do so? He’s fought everyone presented to him…
by McArthur on Nov 10, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL at the Stevie Wonder comparison!
He ain;t really ducking IMO. It’s just the contract issues with those M-1 fuckers that’s the problem.
by Syd on Nov 10, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Legacy…go back to Monday Night RAW. let the real fight fans talk for a while
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
stick to monday night RAW buddy.
watching Fedor fight is a treat. He is so smooth in how he can transition from throwing bombs to a hip toss to GnP to a Sub.
there is not a fighter in the world I would pay more to watch fight then Fedor and I now alot of people feel the same way.
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor is amazing period!
However its ironic that he or his camp are in such opposition to competing in the UFC and by him beating all of those who are outide of the UFC he will eventually eliminate all other competition leaving the UFC as the only mountain left to scale (or worth scaling).
The UFC should be happy Fedor is going around kicking ass and taking names because as he beats all these heavyweights it makes the respective organisation’s heavy weight division loose credibility. Seriously once Fedor beats the best an org can offer who will really care about their heavyweight division??? He then has to move on for new competition while leaving the org’s Hweight division in tatters (Affliction was only one fight away from it happening to them).
Both the UFC and Fedor benefit from not clashing right now as both remain untested against each other and can therefore claim an artificial supremacy over the other party. The only people who don’t really benefit I guess is us, the fans.
Fedors current trend is unsustainable. What small org with a limited stable of fighters can afford a monster like Fedor decapitating what little quality fighters they have. They benefit from the initial dose of Fedor but eventually they will overdose. Affliction would of went under whether or not Barnett tested positive if Fedor beat him because we would then have to ask who would be next?
Fedor is currently nomadic and will remain so until he finds a real home where he has an army of high quality fighters for him to topple and we all know where that is, even if some of us don’t want to admit it!!!
by Holdin_Ropes on Nov 10, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good article!! we mma fans don’t even know what kind of punch lesnar can take. that’s how green he really is. he’s never been hit solid by a KO puncher. in his fights in the ufc the only person to ever hit him solid with a punch was couture, and couture has far from KO power. herring never hit him square, he was blind after the 1st minute. mir didn’t even scratch brock in their 1st fight. evidently mir got brock with a good knee in their 2nd fight, but mir was being picked up on one leg when he finally did get the knee off to brock’s head. for anyone to think that lesnar deserve’s more accolades/credit than fedor does is just lunacy, brock has never even been hit square in the mouth buy somebody that can do something with a punch
by deuce 4 on Nov 10, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Kevin on most of this.
It does matter how you win and who you’ve been fighting LATELY.
This is why I see GSP and Anderson being better fighters respectively.
And ya I don’t like Brock and I see Mir and Fedor as being better fighters but Brock is an anomaly and I would think, unfortunately he is only going to improve.
That being said, I think he can be KO’d just like anybody else.
If you remember the damage of Brock’s GNP on Mir with his little short punches I don’t believe there are any fighters that could take that for more a few minutes, even if Fedor could avoid being KO’d by the strikes his face would look so bad the ref or doctors would stop it regardless.
And yes, DW is his worst enemy and ours sometimes in the process. I hope he some day learns to think just a little bit before he opens his mouth and burns another bridge.
by syncro on Nov 10, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great article.
Fedor is the best MMA fighter of all time, no weaknesses in his game. I also believe Brett Rogers will be a top heavyweight for may years to come and Fedor fought a great fight. Fedor wins by submission, KO or by out-willing them – a true champion
by Trigger on Nov 10, 2009 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
fedor sucks name 8 guys that are legit HWs that he has beaten???
by TheDragon on Nov 10, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The guy that wrote this article needs to get off Fedor’s nuts. That’s major Dana White bashing! I say Dana was willing to write that blank check just to show the world Fedor couldn’t hang with the UFC elite and you make it out like he is in love with Fedor but won’t admit it. Calling him greedy, refering to Wamma like anyone gives a shit about Wamma…… why don’t you tell us how Fedor’s man juice tastes while you are at it.
by JasonFahQ on Nov 10, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol, the article was good.
I do agree, Dana would have paid anything short of co-promotion to land Fedor, just goes to show the dislike Fedor has for Dana!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
or the hold his management team has over him!
Watch all th videos, from finklestein to millen to Fedor’s priest, he has a lot of hanger ons and hang arounds! Don’t believe me, go read the lawsuit against affliction, fedor wants to get paid, his entourage was already on way here when they cancelled show, he had a 50+ person entourage!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ohhh it’s ok for Dana to bash Fedor but it’s not ok for someone to bash Dana. Who are you Dana’a bitch mother?
by JonnyMC on Nov 10, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why would Dana offer Fedor the biggest contract in MMA history if Dana thinks he’s an overrated chump?
You cannot logically look past this contradicting point.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You can’t imagine that he’d overpay a guy just to prove himself right? I think he wants the bragging rights to say “I told you he was a joke. I brought him in here and Brock killed him. Now shut up about him.”
Remember that one of the contract points the Russians brought up was that the UFC wanted to cut Fedor if he loses. I think Dana’s ultimate dream isn’t to bring him in and market him as the best ever and have him be the face of the UFC. It would be for him to come in and lose to Brock, lose to Randy, and probably someone else and then kick him out. That would be the ultimate “See, if you’re not in the UFC, you’re nobody.”
by KDawg2600 on Nov 10, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ya…okay, KDawg. Because business owners love to give cash away just to “prove themselves right”.
No
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
After the showing against Nog, do you think Randy wouldn’t get KO’s from Fedor?
by Shadyone33 on Nov 11, 2009 3:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Ya…okay, KDawg. Because business owners love to give cash away just to "prove themselves right".”
1. He doesn’t do many of the things business owners generally do. A lot of the criticism people have for him is that he’s not the typical professional executive.
2. In addition to the “I told you so” factor, it would solidify that all the best fighters are in the UFC. People may then be able to argue that the #2 or #3 fighter in a given division isn’t in the UFC from time to time, but it would be hard to deny that Penn, GSP, Silva, Machida (or Shogun…both UFC), Fedor (Lesnar if he wins) are the top of each weight class. Right now people are split on the HW division and I think part of the “overpaying” would be to settle that.
By no means do I believe that Randy would beat Fedor. I’m just saying that I feel that would be Dana’s ideal scenario.
by KDawg2600 on Nov 11, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great write-up Holland.
I’ve been making reference to Lutter’s mount and face beating of Anderson Silva for a couple days now…but to no avail. As you say “Anderson’s comeback was awesome”…..so was Fedor’s.
Nice job.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
One thing is for sure the #1 HW in the world is disputed let’s leave it at that we can all think this guy is better or that guy is better in the end it’s all opinion some intelligent opinion some not so much(hey intro) but none the less it’s all opinion unless these fighters actually face each other it’s going to be disputed who the best is that’s a fact not a opinion by the way intro. So right now in this day and time the fans of MMA are disputed on who the best is in the world and that’s the way it should be the fans who decide not Finklestein or Don King a wesite or a Magazine but the fans and trust me I’ve been around the websites and it’s disputed.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I will make one concession reagrding this issue, puck (if you will humour me for a second)…
If we were pretend for one second that MMA was just invented and based the HW #1 status on Fedor’s last fight (Rogers), and Brock’s last fight (Couture)….I would agree with you that Brock should take #1 status.
With that said…MMA wasn’t invented yesterday…and you cannot just erase the fact that Fedor has a 31-1-1 record, while Brock is only 4-1.
And I agree with you that fans should decide this issue…but you say “Finklestein or Dong King” shouldn’t decide these things, but you never make mention of Dana. You have to add Dana to your list, because no matter how badly you despise Finklestein or Dong King…Dana has the exact same agenda they do….promote his own fighters over everyone else.
Yes, this debate is disputed….but I would love to see a vote (on a neutral website) about two things…
1) The best fighter ever.
2) The #1 HW status.
I think you would be surprised at how lopsided a vote would be.
JMHO
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good post inttro, but you can’t do the “best anything ever.”
Was Bird better than magic? were both better than Lebron and Kobe? I think so, but guys of this era will say I’m nuts. I personally can’t stand much basketball in this era, but loved it in the 80’s.
the best HW now is Fedor, not even a debate, but Brock is definitely on his way up! He’s so big and so strong and seems to work on his weaknesses! This is coming from someone who hates Brock.
that all being said, I’d much Rather see
Fedor/silva
Fedor/Machida
over
fedor/brock any day of the week!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just go to the websites and read it’s that simple intro it’s disputed more than ever it may be 50/50 it could be 40/60 but it’s obvious it’s disputed. You have your opinion intro and I have mine calling others idiots and dummy’s doesn’t prove your right intro that may work in school but not here in the real world there is valid arguements on both sides but there is no denying just go look around type mma blog or news on google you will find tons of sites with this debate and the fans debating.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
By the way intro, Brocks last fight was Mir, just thought you’d like to know :)
by Nick J on Nov 10, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This Brock-Fedor situation really mirrors my frustration with the BCS right now. My TCU Horned Frogs are likely to get shut out of the national championship game because Texas is ranked higher. However, even a cursory glance at the statistics and schedules shows that TCU has performed just as well all season long and doen so against better opposition than Texas. There is just this assumption that because Texas is Texas they are automatically better and don’t need to prove it on the field.
Fedor has alot of history on his side, but that doesn’t mean Brock couldn’t beat him if given the opportunity. I would love to see this settled in the cage (or on the field for my Frogs) instead of in BCS computers or blogs.
by PW on Nov 10, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed Kev…“the best ever” is a fictional term…even more fictional than any P4P list
by McArthur on Nov 10, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lol PW-I want a college playoff system as bad as anyone, but no one outside of TCU fans would think that TCU deserves a slot over Texas. The disparity in their BCS rankings shows that Texas’ statistics are in fact BETTER than TCU’s, not the other way around. That’s the problem with the BCS, it relies too much on strength of schedule, and other such statistics, that it makes it virtually impossible for a team like TCU to jump Texas, or any undefeated Big 12, SEC, Pac-10, or other major conference team. When you play in one of those conferences you’re playing better competition week in and week out than the TCU’s and Utah’s of the world.
by Diceman on Nov 11, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would like to see him fight in the UFC to end this debate.
by Pants on Nov 10, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately M-1 and Dana will never agree to terms.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor is one of the greatest of all time. But just like in boxing there is no way to say who is the greatest ever. There are arguably 5 to 10 men who on their best night could win any fight you put them. Hughes, Couture, Liddell, Fedor, A. Silva, W. Silva, GSP, Penn. They would not lose at their absolute best to anyone. These are the greatest of all time and there is no true way to say one is better than other at their best.
by djhbv23 on Nov 10, 2009 3:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He’s definalty the GOAT . However the UFC is the oinnacle of the sport and the professionalism is the difference for me . A can or a B Tier fighter will more times than not come in great shape and pepared to fight hard. As you mentioned in the articule most great fighters have had easier fights , but Isee les and less of this occuring in the UFC, hence why the debate will remain until he signs. The UFC cleared out some of the deadwood with Sylvia, Andre and Werdum for me the harder tests are now in the UFC
by Big PG on Nov 10, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Leites, Cote,Vera, Rivera (who I like), Bonner, Irvin, the whole TUF cast……Im sorry, the UFC has plenty of bums and Sylvia, Andre, and Werdum, (at one point) Swick and now Henderson all were cut not because of their skill or record but because of thier public disputes with the UFC………The UFC will keep many a bum who loses to be used as cannon fodder over legit proven fighters not because they only accept the best but because they are completely intolerant of insubordination……This is exactly why the UFC doesnt have ALL of the hardest tests nor will it have a monopoly on the best fighters…….
by ItsCalledMMAnotUFC on Nov 11, 2009 2:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great article! Very well-written with some excellent points, such as the margin of error…
That’s the thing about being on top in MMA: everyone can’t wait for you to fail. Fedor keeps on winning so people look for chinks in his armour. Anderson Silva’s personality is a little bouncier from the stoic warrior he was when he first came in and everyone wants to rain on his parade. Even now, GSP is starting to be considered a “lay and pray” guy, even though he’s outclassing guys with his stand-up as well as with his world-class wrestling skills.
Oh well. I still like MMA, no matter what the arm-chair critics have to say about the top guys.
8 )
by Jay on Nov 10, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
GREAT article Jesse, brilliant… and not just because I agree with you
by kibbled_bits on Nov 10, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Min Soo Kim the “Japanese Tuna” is Korean…
__
Whoops! Thanks buddy…
-JH
by Markz on Nov 10, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The funny thing is that the “great debate” isn’t much of a debate if you ask any of the top fighters in the world (except maybe Lesnar). They all say Fedor.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
A very important and overlooked point.
Randy vacated his UFC title to get a shot at the real king….shows you exactly what the fighters think, right there.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The fans are torn Adam and in this day and after listning to boxers and their promoters we should of learned a valuable lesson. Like I sad the fans a disputed on who the best is and the fans are the one in the end who should decide not Finklestein, Dana or BJ Penn the fans who in the end are the reason these fighters are getting payed. When couture was asked last about a fight between brock and Fedor lately he stated Brock had a great chance with his abilities over a year ago he said Fedor was the best but like I said that’s his opinion not yours but his and it’s obvious the #1 HW in the world is disputed.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“#1 HW in the world is disputed”
Just because a few people dispute it here doesn’t mean it is disputed greatly.
I could dispute that Ferrari’s are inferior to Volkswagens…doesn’t mean I’m in the majority.
Like I said…I think you’d be surprised about how lopsided a vote would be….if a vote were possible.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Go search the otehr websites from bloody elbow too mma weekly to Sherdog you can go and read their topics most places you have to sign in but trust me I have been looking around and this is a hot topic on many sites a debated between fans. Go look around the facts are every were deal with it.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“if you ask any of the top fighters in the world (except maybe Lesnar). They all say Fedor”
Do fighters who haven’t fought Fedor really matter? Most of those guys don’t watch MMA in their spare time, hardly any of them have trained with him. So who cares what fighters say? Because they fight professionally they are smarter than us? I think the opposite is true, we are the ones watching the tapes and making judgements after days of fight analysis. These fighters that say Fedor is better than Brock haven’t faced them both to have a comparison, so who cares what they say?
by jay on Nov 10, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yea but there also the fact that fighters know way more about actually fighting than most fans do. hence, they know what to look for, the little things that the fans who don’t train in some kind of martial art dont pick up on.
look at cro cop v gonzaga. everybody was picking cro cop adn felt bad for gonzy, except randy, who picked gonzy to win. what happened?
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Jay your statement might carry weight, but look at 90% of coaches in every sport. 90%(and even higher at top levels) are former players. Not guys that have been watching the sport from the age of 10 to the age of 40 that decide to take up coaching. Players(and fighters) know the game inside and out much better than a fan ever could.
by Diceman on Nov 11, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed, Diceman. Not all fighters are smart fighters and they have their faves and prejudices too, but most of them, at least the ones with good trainers, know the game better than we ever will.
brendog, Randy has predicted a lot of successful upsets. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him miss a pick. If I was a gambler, I’d have his number on speed-dial.
by shonuff on Nov 11, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff, this is the most intelligent piece I’ve seen written about Fedor yet. Agree 100% with everything said here.
by goose on Nov 10, 2009 3:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t matter what number you put in front of him, Fedor is a BAD man.
by tiger_style on Nov 10, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The baddest man on the planet that wears knitted sweaters and eats ice cream!
by Syd on Nov 10, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Jesse – Outstanding article. Finally! Someone who understands Fedor’s greatness for what it is! That was the most intellegent article I’ve read on this subject!
by Mark on Nov 10, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fedor is certainly one of the greatest as are Anderson, GSP, and BJ. Strikeforce put on a great show on Saturday and Fedor put an exclamation point on the end of it with a great stoppage of Brett Rogers, who impressed me with his power and toughness. I would love to see Brock and Fedor hook it up, and though I think Fedor would win it would be a huge fight.
by steve on Nov 10, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great editorial. You’ve made many of the arguments that I voice silently to myself all the time. Body type, taking damage, quality of competition, who cares. Fedor wins, and in the end, that’s what it’s all about…defeating everyone they put in front of you. As much as I would love to see Fedor match up with some of the new breed of heavyweights currently working in the UFC, I’m content seeing the man fight whenever, wherever.
by schnetzler on Nov 10, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t we discuss this all day yesterday? OJR – can you paint us an oil painting of you teaching Fedor guitar lessons?
by DFoy on Nov 10, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’ll ask OJR for you and get back to you.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else think the Brock “mono” story is fishy? The conspiracy theorist in me says Dana is in secret talks with Fedor/M1 to bring Fedor to the UFC early 2010, and Dana doesn’t want Brock to lose the title to some chump before he can cash in on HW Champ Brock v. Fedor.
I know this is probably just my mind playing tricks on me and Fedor owes Strikeforce 2 fights….but still.
VN
by Vlek Norris on Nov 10, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I guess I don’t doubt that Brock was sick but I wonder just how sick he really is. I’ve lived in Minneapolis for 28 years. People are always getting sick this time of year. Seriously, about 50% of the population gets sick right as we move into winter (right now). We just deal with it. Mono is pretty serious though; all your organs become inflammed and such. I am unsure if Brock should have called off the fight though. Other past UFC fighters have fought with serious illness and injuries. Not all fighters are warriors though.
by Vern on Nov 10, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you guys are lame. half this country has h1n1 and/or is sick right now, Why would he put off a fight (which he loves to do) or a pay day!? He’s scared of a pumped up hyped up nobody in Carwin?? yeah right!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Brock does have mono (and this is not an overstatement or exageration)….his career may be over.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yep…even the best case scenario isn’t good for Brock (sorry PDubs) How old is Brock now? How old will he be when he fights next? If he can’t train for a year, he’s done. That mass will fall faster than Niagra falls. With his frame, a person cannot just stop training.
by McArthur on Nov 10, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why the hell should he fight with a debilitating illness, you fucktard? That cheats everyone. He would almost certainly lose if he fought at 50% or worse. Fans pay for a half-assed fight. Barney Carwin gets a tainted championship because he didn’t beat the “real” Brock. And we can’t know who the top fighter in the UFC is.
by PW on Nov 10, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t understand why so many people take shots at Fedor. He is a very likeable guy. Dana White on the other hand, now there is someone who there is a million reasons to hate on. Hate on Fedor all you want cause it won’t change the fact that he is the most dominant mma fighter to date.
by Vern on Nov 10, 2009 3:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lol, you know he’s likeable because you speak russian and have an understanding of the amish! cmon man, you know about as much about fedor (other than what is told to you) as you do about jesus christ (which is all told to you).
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually appreciate the fact you point out we all know very little about this guy. I have always liked the fighters who skipped on the trash talk, I think that alot of other fans feel the same. If its Dana running his mouth your trying defend in you comment, you are going to have your work cut out for you Kevin.
by Vern on Nov 10, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not defending anyone.
dana isn’t going to admit a non ufc fighter is the best… FACT
Fedor will never be in the ufc.. FACT
who gives a shit, we have 2 valid organizations, one deeper than the other, but both put on good shows… FACT
where’s the argument!?
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor
Anderson
GSP
Machida
Penn
Proven to win no matter what, Fedor has seen it all = cuts,punches,suplexes near subs, you name it and he has overcome all in devasting fashion, that is a fighter, to go undefeated for this long, how can anybody dispute? Yes the competition is better in the UFC but we will never know.
by Robert(1) on Nov 10, 2009 3:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is the perfect place to give props to Cro Cop. He did awesome in Pride and could still be top 3 in the world. But no he is not. The reason he is not is because he tried to fight the best. He failed, but the point is he tried.
Doug Flutie played in the CFL for years and got tons of MVPs. He also played in the NFL. Is he going to the Hall of Fame, no. Turns out he wasn’t such a super hero when faced with the best in the world.
All that being said, do I think Fedor would do well in the UFC..yes he would do very well. The fact is most MMA fans don’t give a shit what he does until he does it in the UFC. If Fedor never comes over to the big leagues he will still be great, but he will not be forgotten.
by DolFan on Nov 10, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
CC is too one-dimensional….it was just a matter of time before he started losing, whether it was in the UFC or Japan.
Fedor is a far superior fighter than CC.
Besides, I think Pride was desolved long enough ago that the UFC vs Pride arguments could have been put to rest…..oh…..3 years ago.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good post Dol fan! If it were a “football hall of fame” flutie would be in, NFL he obviously won’t. I know Gerard Phelon personally, nice guy!
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor is a beast. He is thee best submissionist i’ve ever seen and he is a heavy weight. He knows his standup game very well also, I mean he could have easily submitted rogers but he did it the champion way knocked his ass out…..I believe if he did come to the ufc he would beat brock, tapout frank mir, and ko cain. He is just the best. Rogers is garbage he couldnt handle any HW in the ufc….he’s too damn big and allll that he has goin for him is boxing…straight garbage
by Amin on Nov 10, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lesnar is not in the same ligue as fedor. as for dana he is a f….ng pussy!
by konan on Nov 10, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Best post today Konan. I normally like DW but not when it comes to disrespecting the legendary Fedor.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dana white is a pu y? Why? Did someone ask Dana to sign up with the UFC and he turn it down to go fight in an organization with only 5 fighters in his weight class? No that was Fedor.
by jay on Nov 10, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dana’s a pussy because he’s badmouthing Fedor while hidin’ behind his empire!
by Syd on Nov 10, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This article was actually amazing. I personally hate Fedor, because of his seemingly invincible aura, but this was a really good article
by CopperShark on Nov 10, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dana White: hired Junie Browning, Jesse Taylor, and Jason Guida.
= Douchery
by peazy on Nov 10, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Only the “best of the best” for the “Big Leagues”.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t forget Kimbo, and Phil Baroni
by Bob Lawblah on Nov 10, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Jason Guida’s a TUF dropout[can’t drop the weight], and was never hired by Dana as fas as I know…
by Syd on Nov 10, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yo BUFFALO u say lesnar is more skilled on the ground thean fedor?? lol.. in what way?
fedor is a sambo expert, which is russian military fighting and is tought all over the world and in ELITE forces. Even the navy seals use it.. How can brock be better, fedor has been doing mma more longer than Lesnar. And hes awesome on the ground, thats fedor range! you know nothing of MMA. Russians are tougher than americans anyways.
by zobondo on Nov 10, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
that being said, rogers reversed fedor pretty easily on sat…
size and strength CAN sometimes overcome technique…
by goose on Nov 10, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Never reversed him…Fedor gave up top position to go for the Kimura. When that didn’t work and Rogers was on top Fedor reversed him. Think you got it backwards.
by Diceman on Nov 11, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
FEDOR is the the best heavyweight and has a track record to prove it.
LESNAR is good but he needs more fights under his belt to be considered the best heavyweight.
by skelow on Nov 10, 2009 3:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great idea, no really. We will wait for Brock to get 27 more wins so that he is in the same league as Fedor than they can fight. They will both be around 55 then, should be one heck of a fight.
by jay on Nov 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much sums up the general consensus.
There are a few Brock groupies hanging around this site though that don’t realize Fedor actually has a history of fighting when Brock was jumping off of turnbuckles in the WWF.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
inrto everybody here knows 1) you hate dan and 2) You have a man crush on Fedor so you opinion is clearly blinded by hate and love LOL.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
…and 3) You’re a “Dana fanboy” (I’m assuming you meant Dana…not Dan), and 4) You hate Fedor.
Pot….meet kettle.
I actually thought we could discuss this like adults in this thread (since Holland was nice enough to write a good article about the subject)….but, you didn’t respond to my first post where I made a concession. Why not?….because you only want to insult….that’s why.
You want to discuss this with me, go respond to my first post and stop being the pot….or kettle….or whatever.
I’m done with your childish crap.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was on the edge of my seat watching Fedor-Rodgers, and it has been a while since a fight has been that dramatic for me. Another ‘miraculous’ comeback, which makes for a very entertaining fight.
Good article JH.
by Scootah on Nov 10, 2009 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ageed. I havn’t been this into a fight since Couture/Tim Silvia.
by peazy on Nov 10, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“A miraculous comeback”??? Are you serious? Rogers landed a jab and a couple of shots with Fedor on his back and you call this a miraculous comeback. Rogers didn’t know what to do when Fedor showed complete disregard for his standup. Rogers was the one moving backwards and the same thing would happen if they fought a hundred more times.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Fedor showed complete disregard for his standup”
This is true. People seem to think Rogers was gun shy and discredit Fedor’s win because of it. But, the only reason Rogers was gun shy was because Fedor completely disregarded Brett’s standup. Considering Rogers has been knocking people’s head off in past fights….this point is credit to Fedor.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeap. I honestly feel that Rogers and his camp felt that Rogers could move Fedor around and that Fedor would be looking to take the fight to the ground ASAP. Boy were they in for a rude awakening.
Yesterday, I read were Rogers trainer said that whoever fights Rogers next should make their peace with God. What a moron. STFU. I hate talk like that because that’s all it is, talk.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was completely shocked at the beginning where Fedor basically tossed Rogers on his back seemingly effortless.
Granted Rogers kind of gets on my nerves with his talk(Your example makes me roll my eyes at Rogers), but he impressed me the other night. He has a good chin, has serious power, can GnP, can escape submissions, and decent cardio…His future is bright. For his next fight, I’d put him against whoever Fedor doesn’t fight (Overeem or Werdum), or Bigfoot. Bigfoot-Rogers matchup would be a great fight.
by Bob Lawblah on Nov 10, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That is why I put ‘miraculous’ in quotes. During the fight there was a lot of blood on Fedor’s face; was it a serious injury? Was he hurt? Would they stop the fight? At the time you couldn’t tell, I thought he may have even broken his nose.
In the end it may not have been that serious, but it added some extra drama to the fight!
by Scootah on Nov 10, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tank Abbott is the greatest mixed martial artist of all time!
by Bruce Leroy on Nov 10, 2009 3:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i don’t mind fedor nuthuggers in the forum’s, but i would expect unbiased reporting from the article writers. I GUESS NOT!!! fedor was scared to come to the ufc and until he does he is not the legitimate number one, and dana knows that his fans want to see the best fights in the world and he was trying to do that by signing him. asshole
by oliver_stoned on Nov 10, 2009 3:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
So you are discrediting the editor of on of the most highly regarded MMA news and info sources (mania). A person whose job it is is to follow MMA, analyze, report,etc. And then your going to toss your “fedor is afraid” opinion out there. nice play.
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wish Fedor would grow some balls split with M-1 say fuck Dana, I’ll prove to myself and everyone that I’m the best and fight the best because that’s what the best do. All this talk of Fedor just makes me respect Randy Couture that much more. I don’t think he would of ever beat Fedor, but that’s what the best do, they look for the best fighters to fight not the fight that suits them best. Grow some nuts Fedor and get movin!!!
by The Juice! on Nov 10, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And also…he probably was the best heavyweight at one time,but thats past tense with his fights with Nog and Crocop.Hes not currently.Peace!!
by The Legacy on Nov 10, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If not Fedor, then who?
Why do people always give reasons Fedor is not the best, but never provide a reason that someone else is?
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brock Lesnar is the Best HW today. Fedor is the Greatest HW to have ever fought. Fedor is past his ‘best before’ date.
by jay on Nov 10, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Brock Lesnar is the Best HW today”
Oh my God.
Only in America.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor would destroy Brock just like he does everyone else they put in front of him. They are all cans after Fedor fights them. Just like Marquardt, Henderson and Franklin are all cans after Anderson Silva gets done with them.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
….I still don’t see any reasoning for your statement, jay.
That’s exactly why you can’t win this debate…you aren’t giving any reasoning.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
OJR, I’m Canadian and you know it. Only in America doesn’t make sense between me and you.
Do I have to tell you why I think Brock would win? It is a very close fight if you ask me, but do you want to know what I think Brock does that Fedor would have trouble with? You know what it is, why waste our time?
by jay on Nov 10, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great article!! Some very good points.
by Paul The Ham on Nov 10, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
How can he be no 1 p4p, maybe a few years ago but not anymore. Anderson silva and brock would destroy him imo
by vinrex7 on Nov 10, 2009 4:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Lutter could mount Anderson Silva…..Fedor would kill him.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Whens the last time Fedor mounted any top fighter? Your going to have to go back to Pride.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why would he when he can knock them all out?
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
…besides, the point is that Silva was mounted by Lutter….not the other way around.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But if Fedor could get swept twice by a tire mechanic and looked pretty lame against Fujita, Hunt, and the legendary Heath Herring, in addition to being mounted endlessly by Arona and even an aging Coleman…
by Speedy on Nov 10, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know…Anderson Silva said that he’d lose to Fedor.
But, you’d probably say that Silva knows nothing, too.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dana White thinks Fedor is great he is just pissed he dosnt fight for the ufc.
by thebending on Nov 10, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“Lesnar has a very good chance of beating Emelianenko — but I don’t think he’s half the fighter that Fedor is.” this sentence is the dumbest thing, it makes no sense.
by Quinn on Nov 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ojr Just because anderson got mounted doesn’t mean shit, fedor almost got knocked out but a jap (can’t remember his name) after seeing his performance against arlofski and rogers his stand up defence is crap, and anderson or machida would destroy him on the feet
by vinrex7 on Nov 10, 2009 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Rogers landed a jab vinrex7. Also, Fedor has one hell of a chin and very good footwork. How did the night turn out for Arlovski and Rogers, the defensively superior standup fighters? Fedor would toss Anderson and Machida around like phucking rag dolls. He has significantly more punching power than either of them and would have no problem eating a shot or two if he had to.
by Adam T. on Nov 10, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
vin. the fact that you are trying to make a legitimate attack on Fedors ability when you cant even remember who he has fought proves that you havent been around mma long enough to know too much about Fedor or really much in general
it was Fujita btw. Fedor ended up taking his neck home as a trophy.
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
btw Adam..agree with everything youve said in this thread.
by brendog on Nov 11, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The one thing I still can’t shake (and I brought this up once before) is the size disparity with most of the heavyweights in the UFC now and Fedor. Fedor’s 5’ 11", 230-235lbs. Fedor’s about the same height and weight as I am. I could stand to lose a few pounds, but no one in their right mind would call me a big guy in comparison to guys like Lesnar or Carwin or even Brett Rogers for that matter. Most people would consider me the biggest fool in the world for taking on somebody that size and say that it wouldn’t even be a fair fight. They’d be right too. So taking something like that into account, would it really be that impressive if Brock smothered Fedor on the ground and pounded him out? If it was myself in Fedor’s position absolutely no one would say it was a fair fight at all. Just the size difference alone would be insurmountable in almost any case.
The one exception to that rule that I can think of would be Fedor. That’s why I was incredibly impressed with Fedor’s fight on Saturday. Grim’s a huge dude. Comparable to most of the heavyweights in the UFC at this point. Honestly, I think he could knock Carwin the fuck out and probably Kongo and Mir too. He didn’t get out of those subs through any sort of technique. That was pure brute strength. He was strong enough to break Fedor’s nose with one punch and ended the majority of his previous matches with (t)ko stoppages. The dude’s a beast no matter what way you slice it, regardless of MMA experience. And for him to be able to handle Grim like the was a testament to his all around skill and toughness. I don’t know too many heavyweights, if any, that would’ve been able to take those bombs and get out of the mount. Fedor. Again, a testament to his ability.
I think maybe a better anology would be someone like Rampage fighting Frankie Edgar. About the same size/weight difference as Fedor and the top UFC heavyweights. If Rampage were to smash Frankie, who the hell would be impressed by that? Everyone can obviously see that Rampage is much bigger and stronger than Frankie so no matter how skilled he was, the size difference alone would nullify that. That said, I don’t know why people don’t take that into account when talking about Fedor fighting the UFC Heavyweights. Probably won’t ever happen, but it’s always so interesting to hear Dana talk about Fedor getting smashed by Brock Lesnar. Hell, that’s a great possibility. He’s a monster compared to Fedor. But you’d never hear anything about BJ fighting Anderson Silva. He’d never go for it. Hell, they wouldn’t even sanction that fight. The weight issue alone would make it impossible. The one UFC heavyweight that impresses me enough to think he could really give Fedor trouble with his skills (and not just his size) would be Cain Velasquez.
by JayCee on Nov 10, 2009 4:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good point…Except I wouldnt give it to Cain just yet…..Brock and possibly Carwin would be a good fight….I need to see more from Cain especially after the Kongo fight…..
by ItsCalledMMAnotUFC on Nov 11, 2009 2:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This article sucks, basically. His entire “legacy” consists of two narrow-margin decisions over one great heavyweight, and the rest is a sham, whether it was non-HW, oversized freak shows, or simply great HWs that had already been solved or were already too old to be competitive. He’s a very good HW (consistently known as the shallowest weight clase), but his supposed dominance is complete fucking lunacy.
by Speedy on Nov 10, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Fedor were to be on ice for a year and Brock wins two or three more fights in that timespan…then I’d definately listen to the argument that Brock is #1, but at this point I don’t think it’s logical to say a 4-1 guy is better than a 31-1-1 guy.
And, if the UFC were to groom Brock a little bit after the Herring fight, and gave him a few more fights before giving him a title shot….I’d consider Brock as possibly the #1 guy (if he were to keep winning and eventually win the title). I seem to remember even UFC fans throwing their arms in the air when Brock was rushed into a title fight…and if the UFC weren’t so eager to cash in on their Brock Lesnar money train, and didn’t rush him in to a title shot, I think he would be under more consideration for the #1 spot. Rushing Brock to the title did nothing but cheapen the title, IMO.
But, I’m a Dana hating, Fedor ’hugger….so what do I know.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
With NOG, Mir, Couture and Brock set to battle for the belt and Brock winning it did not cheapen the belt intro LOL NOG who is the best fighter to face Fedor was battling for the belt in the four man show down and brock came up victories the only reason Brock got a shot was becauseRandy wanted Brock earlier rather than later wich was the smart thing to do but Brocks abilities were still to great even though he didn’t have the experience in the octagon Brocks training for wretling and his abilities were a easy transition to MMA. Pound for pound fedor is a better fighter right now but pound for pounds means nothing when facing Brock.
by Puck Head on Nov 10, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor kicked Nog’s ass and Brock has yet to fight him.
And I’m a Nog fan.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
bahahaha,….good point about Brock though, lets give him a few years then debate his #1 status, even though he’s the champ I dont think he’s earned that status by any means.
by ~Savage~ on Nov 11, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I cannot understand why you guys dont see what fedor is doing?
I am quite sure that he will join the UFC, but realized that he has adapt to the cage before doing so to avoid a rough welcome like CroCop.
When he joins, he will be prepared for the cage and he will hold the pride, M1 and strikeforce belt.
Dana will have to increase his offer…and he will!!
Eventually Fedor will loose in the UFC, but not without holding the belt at least once.
He will fight at least 3 times per year and I dont think he would be able to do that without loosing, but there is no way that he will go down like CroCop.
All that will add to his legacy
by bengrimm on Nov 10, 2009 4:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
GREAT ARTICLE WITH WISDOM.
Dana is a greedy stooge, and anyone that believes the lies that fall from his face is a fool.
And Brock’s record is a joke.
by Jack on Nov 10, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Probably the best MMA opinion article I have ever read, very well done. You put into words what just about every level headed MMA fan is thinking. And to all of you who still hate on Fedor….really? Take a poll of 100 random professional fighters on who the best fighter in the world is, my guess is about 85-90 would say Fedor. Even for the “educated” MMA fan that should end any arguments.
by efisher on Nov 10, 2009 4:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
1) JH’s article was spot on.
2) Dana’s bitter.
3) Fedor could feasibly fight at 205. He is a small heavyweight but can take on the monster heavyweights which has always impressed me. I also like this about Randy Couture although Randy doesn’t have the chin or striking power of Fedor.
4) They need to make a super heavyweight division to end the disparity of a 220 fighting a 280 on fight day.
by San Jose Rob on Nov 10, 2009 4:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
235-240+ is a perfect weight class
I’ve said this for yeasr on this site, Fedor has 10x more fights that are interesting at 205, but he dominates at HW, so why move up!?
by kevin on Nov 10, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually stated that the UFC should have added a SHW class when Couture had the HW belt…..but, I got pissed on by the UFC fanboys.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor’s definitely in the top ten ranks; maybe not # 1, but he’s at least the best heavy weight. Very few can adapt themselves during fights like he does.
Also, Dana needs to shut the hell up and stop calling out every fighter that happens to hold a belt. He may also wanna concentrate on retaining his good fighters in the UFC _
by Simon on Nov 10, 2009 4:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is old news. Wake me up when Fedor signs with the UFC or fights someone good in there prime.
by cdoug on Nov 10, 2009 4:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
fedor is garbage, with that said fedor loses to:
Brock
Cain
Mir
Carwin
Kongo
Anderson
Lyoto
Rashad
Rampage
Tito
Shogun
maybe even GSP
Fedor is a joke and would get squashed by every one of the above, people just need to get off fedors nuts!!!!
by bmo11 on Nov 10, 2009 5:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thank you…I needed a good laugh…
I suppose BJ Penn and Miguel Torres would beat him as well as Dana White, Nick Cage, Holly Madison, Bill Gates, Stephen Hawkings, and Verne Troyer
by Bob Lawblah on Nov 10, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I workout 5 times a week, can you add my name to the list as well
by Robert(1) on Nov 10, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
he would never lose to, tito, knongo, mir, cain, gsp, freaken never, all of those other fighters stand a chance at beating him but fedor has just as good a chance at beating them.
by Blazy J on Nov 10, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no response. i just hit reply to make the thread longer so mroe people will see bmo11’s post and hope he never posts again.
by brendog on Nov 10, 2009 9:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Those guys you listed couldn’t whip the fly’s off Fedor’s shit.
by peazy on Nov 11, 2009 7:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
People please stop this ignorance of trying to find out who will beat fedor, I agree that the ufc has a big pool of HW to offer better challenges although UFC is a slave driver. Fedor is probably the purest human being in this sport, for god sakes the man wears the most common apparel and shows so much respect to each opponent. He by far has accomplished much more then any mma fighter out there right now. I believe soon fedor will stop fighting and will concentrate more on training younger talent, and maybe begin is own mma organization.
by rockoner on Nov 10, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
LOL
cain? hes garbage
mir? hes TRASH
carwin? overrated monkey
Kongo? lets be real he would get submitted in about 5 seconds
Anderson? he would get knocked out
Lyoto? his pencil d1ck wouldn’t know what hit him
rashad? traaaash
rampage? he dont’ even fight
tito? huntington beach bad girl…get real
shogun, a sliiim chance
by TimSylvia4Lyf on Nov 10, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I have not been a huge fan of fedor over the years, most times I end up cheering agaisnt him when he fights…but, anybody who would not recognize him as the best heavyweight in the world not thinking clearly. The fight against rogers was great. Fedor was hurt and in danger of possibly being stopped on the ground(good thing it wasn’t mazzagati) had he taken a few more shots like that. But to take that kind of punishment and remain so calm is unbelievable. He’s a beast. I do think fedor would lose eventually in the UFC and there is a very limited amount of good fights in Strikeforce for him. If a fighter never loses, he is not fighting good enough comp, eveyone loses that is the way of mma.
by Reiderfish on Nov 10, 2009 5:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I love that every time a see a Fedor post I’m sure to see Intro’s rants splashed all over the comments. Personally I could careless about Fedor, but man I love to read you rip everyone that disputes his greatness. You have my vote for biggest nuthugger ever..I mean that sincerely of course.
by ~Savage~ on Nov 10, 2009 5:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fedor’s not even my favourite fighter.
I just feel obligated to try to improve the world by educating iodiots who think Brock is even remotely close to Fedor’s level in #1 discussions.
They are morons.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Intro speaks the truth….He looks at things objectively and I appreciate his honesty.
He does not succomb to hype or marketing, but relies on his own opinions.
by Bob Lawblah on Nov 10, 2009 9:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I sure as hell don’t think Brock is #1 either, I can’t stand him, just sayin I get a kick out of reading your comments. Personally I could care less about the whole Brock/Fedor discussion. I’m just interested in watching great fights, I think it would be a great fight. It’s funny because even if they did fight regardless of who wins the argument will still go on. lol
by ~Savage~ on Nov 11, 2009 8:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor vs Rogers at 11pm drew over 5 million views….Wow
by Bob Lawblah on Nov 10, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff.
No wonder Dana’s acting like an idiot today.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know what would be funnier than shit?
If Fedor quits all of a sudden very soon.
I’m not talking Couture kind of quit (and do shitty movies). I’m talking about quitting to raise goats in Russia kind of quitting.
If that happened, people would be arguing the merits of his wins for ages. My grandkids would still be saying “if Fedor was alive still, he’d beat the champ”.
Think about it…
As simple as he is and how much money he has made so far, he could do it. I mean that freakin sweater is always on his back…right?
Don’t be surprised if it happens.
by DubNub on Nov 10, 2009 5:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The one thing about combat sports is that it’s impossible to please everbody and retire on top.
The closest thing in recent memory is Lennox Lewis, and the day after he retired every said Klistchko was better lol…
A fighter could clean out a weight division on every roster in the world, retire…then the next day some new fighter would come out of nowhere and call him out….then it’s “he’s scared to fight him”.
Sad but true.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why would Fedor EVER go to the UFC, when Dana has insulted him as well as those “Crazy Russiuns”? Fedor is a simple guy, and he’s proud.
He doesn’t need that dumb A-hole as a boss.
by Jack on Nov 10, 2009 5:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“He doesn’t need that dumb A-hole as a boss.”
Doesn’t need and doesn’t want.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And there’s the most risk of having his legacy tarnished by fighting legitimate competition. The only way Fedor signs with the UFC is if it’s a three fight, opponent specific contract. 3 fights: Hong Man Choi, Elvis Sinosic, Giant Silva.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
One question…
Can anyone dispute Fedors last 2 knockouts? Not that Rogers or Arlovski are top tier, but those punches were brilliant. Out of left field kinda stuff.
THAT is what makes Fedor amazing is that ability to capitalize while he is getting his ass beat.
by DubNub on Nov 10, 2009 5:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He beats them at their own game, too.
Both fights were expected to end on the ground if Fedor won them….
so much for that analysis.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Not that Rogers or Arlovski are top tier”
That’s exactly what my problem is with Fedor. You can’t dispute that he wins, but for the last few years he hasn’t been fighting top tier opponents. That’s why for me, Fedor WAS the best HW ever. Probably the best fighter ever. But not anymore. Hey, Dan Severn had a good winning streak going in 2007 and 2008, should he have been ranked up anywhere near the top 10 at during that time? Of course not.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sherdog HW top 10 6 & 7 spots belong to Rogers and AA.
by brendog on Nov 10, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why is it that Fedor has to beat everyone in the UFC to retain his #1 status, but everyone automatically gives Brock Lesnar a pass when it comes to him fighting Strikeforce’s roster?
Absolutely no gaurantee that Brock would beat Alistair, Bigfoot, or Rogers.
Why is that ,anyway?
It’s like Fedor has to beat the entire planet, and Brock just has to show up for 5 fights in his career.
I guess it just shows that more is expected from the best, and less is expected from the inferior.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I guess nobody can explain this double-standard?
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So if the Yankees start playing against high school teams starting next season, would the onus be on the next world series champs to go down to the high school level to prove they’re the best because there’s no guarantee that they could beat FDR Collegiate or West Valley High? Or would all of the Yankees’ basically be meaningless until they’re back in MLB?
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That should be “Or would all of the Yankees’ wins basically be meaningless until they’re back in MLB?”
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice try….not even relevent.
In the terms you are using…..Fedor is the MLB….the UFC HW’s are the High School teams.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor’s opponents in SF are laughable.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The only legitimate HW in SF is Fedor.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When is the last time a high school baseball team got 5.46 million viewers on CBS?
Hardly a comparison, pal.
Check any site’s rankings that you want….Fedor is the HW King….no amount of hate from you will change that.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Fedor’s opponents in SF are laughable.”
So is the UFC roster.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe NCAA would be a better comparison then.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Check any site’s rankings that you want….” no organization has more fighters in the top 10 in any weight class from 155-265 than the UFC “no amount of hate from you will change that.”
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
" “Fedor’s opponents in SF are laughable.”
So is the UFC roster."
So you admit that Fedor’s opponents in SF are laughable. That’s great. At least you realize that his victory over Rogers is meaningless even though you don’t really like admitting it. I’m glad you know that it’s true deep inside.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Because Alistair, Bigfoot and Rogers aren’t Lesnar, Carwin or Velasquez. It’s not going to be just skill that beats Fedor (AA had the skill), it going to take someone that has enough confidence in themselves to not lose the fight before it even starts, like almost all of Fedors opponents have. Rogers was all talk, you could tell he was scared and he admitted he lacked confindense. AA was one of the exceptions, he was too cocky and paid for it. The 3 guys I mentioned are a threat to any HW (including Fedor). Carwin is a nightmare for any fighter. He’s a hugh wrester that WILL KO you if he touches your chin. Sure he’s fought some cans,but a can or a guy like Gonzaga just don’t make it past 90 seconds. Carwin only has about 10 minites of fighting experience, but in his case that’s a good thing. It would be a shame if we never get to see all of these exciting fights. No one wants to see Fedor destroy Werdum or Silva, they have nothing to offer him, but their chins and Werdums chin isn’t that good to begin with,lol.
by Nate on Nov 10, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Alot will be proven after he fights Overeem. Nobody wants to see Fabricio Werdum fight Fedor…
by ALPHA CHINO on Nov 10, 2009 5:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think beating Overeem means anything. Look at Overeem’s last 5 wins: James Thompson, Tony Sylvester, Gary Goodridge, Mark Hunt and Tae Hyun Lee. When you combine their records on their last 5 fights they’re 5-18(lee only has 3 fights, that’s why it doesn’t add up to 25). Plus, even against these laughable oppenents, he had to hit the horse meds pretty hard in order to win(allegedly). I’d don’t really get the hype about Overeem.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Overeem has also been doing extremely well and winning in K1.
Just a few weeks ago he destroyed the longest reining competitor and most 3 time champion and runner up for 06,07.
Pretty sure he’s not a laughable opponent.
by syncro on Nov 11, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe not a few years ago. Aerts is getting old. Couture was champion not long ago, but what’s a victory over him worth these days?
by prokstar on Nov 11, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Strikeforce/CBs show peaked at 5.46 million viewers.
Be interesting to see what the UFC next UFC show gets.
If it’s lower than the CBS show, Dana will be bashing people all over the internet.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 5:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If it’s not lower than the CBS show, SF should be embarrassed. As embarrassed as the UFC should be if they couldn’t get better numbers Spike than SF can on Showtime.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Heres an arguement I havent heard yet about Fedor. Everyone says how he almost lost to Brett and how if that was Carwin or Brock on top of him it would’ve been over. Well does anybody not remeber awhile back when Brett and Brock were training together at MIN. MMA. The threads about Brock and Brett getting into it. And how Brett knocked out Brock spairing and kept rocking him. Then next thing you know Brocks bringing training on his ranch gym and bring peopel to his gym of privacy and Bretts training elsewhere. Well doesnt this rumor make the win over Brett more interesting
by Josh on Nov 10, 2009 5:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
thank you jesse. this is the article ive been waiting for all day when i’ve been responding to people trashing Fedor. Write ups like this are the reason i will keep coming back to mania and the reason more people should come here to get educated before they start claiming to be mma analysts
by brendog on Nov 10, 2009 5:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dana keeps burning bridges with Fedor but blames on him when he doesn’t sign with UFC. Smart businessman.
by LLC on Nov 10, 2009 6:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ya…he has a lot of people fooled, doesn’t he?
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Simple solution, send someone from the UFC (namely Brock Lesnar) to take out Fedor in an M1/Strikeforce or whoever event.
Just like when Dana sent Liddell to the PRIDE 2003 Middleweight GP.
Dana said Chuck was the best 205er in the world so he sent him to Japan to take out Wanderlei, White even put like a 100K bet on that The Iceman would win the whole tournement, but Chuck got the shit kicked out of him by Rampage in the semi final, thus proving PRIDE had great fighters.
by Ermac on Nov 10, 2009 6:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
thank you. some people commenting might not have watched MMA long enough to realize this…….namely people who say Fedor is afraid of the UFC
by brendog on Nov 10, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone here has good points about this article BUT the longer fedor waits to fight brock the winner will end up being brock cuse that guy is getting better and better and you saw what he did against mir OUCH lol..
by Ryan on Nov 10, 2009 6:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dana the crybaby….couldn’t get Fedor, so now insult him? Why in the hell did you want to sign a guy who “got smashed by some tire guy” Dana White is very ignorant, greedy, unclassy individual WHICH IS WHY FEDOR DOES NOT WANT ANY PART OF HIS ORGANIZATION.
Obviously NONE of you Dana bootlickers have the self integrity that Fedor has in his left nut.
Fedor is a loyal, down to earth fighter and he is doing JUST FINE without douchebag Dana and his UFC circus.
by Swallow the Truth on Nov 10, 2009 6:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
you got to be kidding yourself if you think fedor would beat brock …brock is to strong for him it would be like mir 2 fight …i also think mir would beat fedor down fedor only fights guys to keep his name when he loses he will retire
by pedigree on Nov 10, 2009 6:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes…Fedor is scared of Mir, and 4-1 Brock "I can’t fight I have kissing disease Lesnar.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hypothetically speaking…
If the UFC were to poll their fans on their website like this….
“We are considering doind a 1 fight deal with M-1 Global. We will cross-promote one event with them. The main event of the evening will be Fedor vs Brock. We want your input on whether we should do it or not. Vote ‘yes’ if you would like us to do this event with M-1 Global…vote ‘no’ if you do not want us to do this event with M-1 Global. The decision will solely be based on your vote”
What would you guys vote?
I’d vote yes.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
31-1 Fedor with his only loss being from a cut and the loss was avenged.
3-1 Brock with only loss a submission to Frank Mir also avenged.
hmmm gotta give the track record to Fedor with the ten times as many wins thing. He will fight Brock if they both keep winning.
by hatteras on Nov 10, 2009 6:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fedor Emelianenko thinks that Dana White is an asshole!
by Bruce Lee on Nov 10, 2009 6:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
exactly..I was at first very upset with fedor not signing with the ufc…but after thinking it over I dont blame him…who wants to be owned by that asshole, dana..he is a greedy turd constantly contradicting himself…
by salamagogo on Nov 12, 2009 7:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well said Mr. Holland. How does Brock get so much respect so fast? People talk like he is the greatest fighter in history. WWE people I think. He just started real fighting five fights ago and lost one of those, Carwin will make two. Yes, he has the UFC belt. I can name you a few fighters that had a UFC heavyweight belt that would never be mentioned in the same sentence as Fedor. All I’m saying is Brock may show us different one day but as of right now; if you could somehow put Fedor’s balls in a bucket Brock couldn’t carry the bucket.
by Tommy on Nov 10, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“if you could somehow put Fedor’s balls in a bucket Brock couldn’t carry the bucket.”
lol…perfectly stated.
Classic, Tommy.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 7:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great post best shit ive read since ive been on this site!
by Khaos_Warrior on Nov 10, 2009 7:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Brock gets respect because of a long history in “professional” wrestling and the huge PR machine that is the UFC. He is a huge unnatural man and the fact that every human in the WWE did large amounts of steroids to get as large as they are is continuously “forgotten”.
Brock is the result of the UFC wanting us to believe everything we saw on WWE was real, that he is superhuman.
The problem is, he will be beaten by the end of 2010…and then where will this discussion be?
by Wags on Nov 10, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
In the grave.
Then it will be “Carwin s the best in the world”.
lmao
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t forget Cain “Matt Hughes’ School of Lay n’ Pray” Velasquez, another of the all time greats… Oh and the other BIG NAME in UFC heavyweights – Nog! (who Fedor’s already beaten twice…)
I love the UFC, but I don’t think the heavyweight division is as great as Dana would have everyone believe – Kongo, Gonzaga, Dos Santos and Cro Cop are not exactly unbeatable now either are they? :)
by Jimrod on Nov 11, 2009 2:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
go back to the UFC.com forums to post this garbage.
by brendog on Nov 10, 2009 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
GR8 article for sure. its not even debatable fedor is without a doubt the best fighter of all time!! dana is just talking out of his ass like he always does. I cant believe brocks even in the same conversation as fedor for the best heavy w8! if dana wants to put his money were his big ass mouth is he will co-promote for 1 night to prove brock is the best! but he knows dam well if he does brock will get embarrassed by fedor in the 1st round!! frank mir beat brock lesnar!!! fedor has more submision victories then mir & brock had total fights!!
by d*locc on Nov 10, 2009 7:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“If I was asked to pick the best fighter currently competing at this present time, it would probably be Anderson Silva, for his amazing run over the past four years and the level of competition he’s faced.
Now if I had to pick the best fighter of all time, my first pick has to be Fedor Emelianenko. Again, I won’t dispute that a fighter exists in the UFC that may have the tools to beat him, but I cannot ignore the body of work this fighter has compiled over the past nine years."
I agree. Fedor will go down as the best HW in history and one of the best fighters in history. There’s no denying that, even from the so-called “Fedor haters”. Is he the best current HW? Maybe, but there’s no way of knowing unless he starts fighting top competition again. What if Hughes signed with a lesser organization before his second fight with GSP? Would he still be considered the #1 WW by beating up on the likes of Riggs and Gono? The difference between Hughes and Fedor is that Hughes kept trying to fight competition, while Fedor is too afraid of tarnishing his legacy.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
for you to say that all Fedor cares about is keeping his legacy in tact proves why you shouldnt be a part of this argument.
Fedors management team controls his contract negotiations. He is not ducking anyone. He is a loyal guy and he is doing what his managers suggest because they cant come to terms with UFC becasue Vadim Fink is a greedy man trying to exploit Fedor.
The man is not afraid of anything.
by brendog on Nov 10, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I Conan the Barbarian WILL TELL YOU ALL THE ONY WAY DANA WHITE WILL GET FEDOR TO FIGHT IN THE UFC!!!!!
FEDOR IS PART OWNER OF M-1 GLOBAL, I DON’T KNOW WHAT HIS PERCENTAGE SHARE IS BUT HE PROBABLY ONLY HAS A COUPLE MILLION INVESTED IN THE COMPANY. DANA SHOULD TRADE FEDOR’S M-1 GLOBAL STOCK FOR AN EQUIVELANT AMOUNT IN THE UFC. A COUPLE MILLION BUCKS WOULDN’T EVEN GIVE FEDOR 1% OF THE UFC, BUT THAT WOULD GIVE FEDOR THE NEST EGG HE SUPOSSEDLY WANTS FROM M-1 GLOBAL AFTER HE RETIRES. DANA CAN USE HIS SHARE OF M-1 GLOBAL TO FARM FORIEGN TALENT FOR THE UFC AND FEDOR DOESN’T HAVE ANYMORE COPROMOTION CONFLICTS. PROBLEM SOLVED. I AM A FUCKING GENIUS.
by Conan the Barbarian on Nov 10, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
so far the best mmamania post i’ve read.
by ufcfan1 on Nov 10, 2009 7:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
"If I was asked to pick the best fighter currently competing at this present time, it would probably be Anderson Silva, for his amazing run over the past four years and the level of competition he’s faced.
Now if I had to pick the best fighter of all time, my first pick has to be Fedor Emelianenko. Again, I won’t dispute that a fighter exists in the UFC that may have the tools to beat him, but I cannot ignore the body of work this fighter has compiled over the past nine years."
I agree. Fedor will go down as the best HW in history and one of the best fighters in history. There’s no denying that, even from the so-called "Fedor haters". Is he the best current HW? Maybe, but there’s no way of knowing unless he starts fighting top competition again. What if Hughes signed with a lesser organization before his second fight with GSP? Would he still be considered the #1 WW by beating up on the likes of Riggs and Gono? The difference between Hughes and Fedor is that Hughes kept trying to fight competition, while Fedor is too afraid of tarnishing his legacy.
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 8:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
that should be “The difference between Hughes and Fedor is that Hughes kept trying to fight top competition, while Fedor is too afraid of tarnishing his legacy.”
by prokstar on Nov 10, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ya…Leben, Cote, and Leites were epic fights…..lol.
by OJR is King (formerly introvert) on Nov 10, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
C’mon Introvert…don’t sleep on Irvin.
by Diceman on Nov 11, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They’re all more legitimate fights than Hong Man Choi.
by prokstar on Nov 11, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice article, some real solid points! Nice to see that mania isnt so UFC biased.
by bna on Nov 10, 2009 9:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“Sure, he had that stinker against Thales Leites at UFC 97, but it’s difficult to fight someone who spends more time on their back than "The Huntington Beach Bad Girl.”
Come on Holland. Love Tito Ortiz or hate him, a man’s family is off limits. That wasn’t cool at all.
by Josh H. on Nov 10, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Aside from the shot a Ortiz’s wife, I must say damn fine job. This is an excellent article. Well done.
by Josh H. on Nov 10, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
disagree. the best fight the best. fedor chooses not 2 so…
by Sideshow on Nov 10, 2009 9:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes. The string of wins is impressive and unmatched.
Anybody can get caught.
by KS on Nov 10, 2009 10:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
At best, he is 7th in the world at heavyweight and not in the top ten pound for pound.
by jj on Nov 10, 2009 11:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wether or not fedor fights brock or doesnt fight brock,doesnt matter much to me.I think it would be an interesting match-up 4 sure.But just like the nature of everything else in life including life,things come and go,live and die,rise and fall.If fedor gets into the ocatgon fights brock gets his ass handed to him then what?Many people will say ha-ha told u so,Many people will have a different opinion,But fedors legacy up till now u cant deny nor erase.Just cuz a king is dethroned or dies,doesnt take away the fact that he was a king and fedor has been on top of his sport and game for longer than anyone else to date,and for that he deserves much respect.Nothing lasts 4ever and in a sport where it is very difficult to stay on top for long periods of time,fedor has done just that and thats impressive to say the least.But wether its brock or mir or whoever,there may very well be a time maybe even soon,that fedor gets beat and then what?Then he has a 31-2-1 record?So when that happens does he become a has-been and washed up?My point is that he has been for many years and presently is the best at what he does,and their will come a time where the king dies or is dethroned,but for douchebags like dana white talks shit bout him just cuz dana didnt get his way just shows dana whites lack of intelligence and professionalism i just dont know how much fedor needs to do to prove himself as the best
by Brassou on Nov 10, 2009 11:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
After reading many of Fedor’s comments over the years, as well as the very public fallout between M-1 and the UFC, I have come to believe that Fedor fights for his own reasons, and they are not primarily financial.
It may very well be that Fedor fights to find his moment of Zen; that he fights to be able to donate money to his church; that he fights for his love of his country; that he fights to bring honor and prestige to Russia.
Or maybe he just likes to punch people.
Ultimately, we’re all here speculating, and he is the one doing it. He owes nothing to us. Maybe he is the best ever. Maybe not. I know for a fact that he is the Best I Have Ever Seen.
by MMA Fan on Nov 11, 2009 12:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fedor is the greatest fighter for one simple reason. HE HAS NEVER LOST, meaning he has never been upset by a lesser opponent and has beaten higher ranked opponents. Anderson Silva, Gsp, and even Brock Lesnar have all been upset by lesser or greater opponents. FEDOR NEVER SLIPS AND NEVER LETS HIS MISTAKES COST HIM A FIGHT.
by ZacK on Nov 11, 2009 1:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
great read!
When will mma fighters realize Fedor is only timing you!
Fedor is a douchebag
by budsykind on Nov 11, 2009 6:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
great read, jesse!~
i feel the same way..
by stinky~fingers on Nov 11, 2009 7:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great article. It hits the nail on the head. Fedor haters criticize every move he makes, and Fedor fans think he’s unbeatable.
He’s a phenomenally skilled and physically talented fighter, and though he could easily be considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time, there are some fighters out there who would most likely beat him.
It’s pointless to argue about who would beat him and who is better pound for pound. He will probably never fight Lesnar or Couture. Aside from that, the pound for pound thing has always been a stupid argument for any fighter.
Fedor is often hated simply because many of his fans are so ridiculous. Before I had even seen him fight, I wanted to see him lose just so all the morons on the internet who call him a god would shut their idiotic mouths. Fedor has never said he was the best in the world, and has always been extremely respectful inside and outside the ring.
So just leave the guy alone. Fans, get off of his nuts. Haters, why don’t you step in the cage.
by JS12345 on Nov 11, 2009 8:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree and feel the same way as JS. I don’t hate Fedor, no one has any reason to hate Fedor. He is a gentleman and he is willing to fight anyone anytime. What I hate is his whacked out fans.
by jay on Nov 11, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Shockwave 04 fight was the third time they fought.
by The MMA Expert on Nov 11, 2009 8:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
GARBAGE Article.
I don’t buy everything I hear, I listen, weigh the facts, throw in some logic, and reason out what is likely to be the truth. I have no problem not believing Dana White or the UFC at times-but of those times I don’t I can usually understand their logic… just as I feel that I understand M-1 Global’s here.
My brain tells me that the villain here… is M-1 Global, NOT the UFC or Dana White as the article alludes. Dana and company have been suggesting that Fedor is scared, and to me it is clear that they are saying this to appear to be the “good guys” and to establish their own credibility while chipping away at Fedor’s. Fedor isn’t scared… but he (and M-1) DID turn down the most lucrative offer ever made in MMA. I have NO REASON to doubt this. The UFC went above and beyond what they normally do for contracts… even with their big stars. They made Fedor an offer he cannot refuse… only he did refuse it. Why?
Again, my reasoning tells me that M-1 rejected the offer because they want an opportunity to make money more than off of JUST Fedor. They want to ride the MMA money train. Right now their ONLY Ace in the deck is Fedor. He is their winning hand. So they are leveraging the legend of Fedor to position their company to make more money than any one fighter could or should. The UFC was unwilling to co-promote because doing so MAKES ZERO SENSE for them. There is absolutely NOTHING M-1 Global can bring to the table other than Fedor for the UFC. The UFC is a marketing MACHINE and there is nothing M-1 can do to help “promote” unless it is in Russia, a place Zuffa has little interest in for the forseable future. Even then there is little they can do that the UFC couldn’t do on it’s own.
Co-promotion simply makes NO SENSE for the UFC, yet the author of this pathetic article hinted that the fault lies with “greedy” Dana White yet said little of the really greedy M-1 Global operation.
Fedor isn’t scared to lose, but M-1 Global holds Fedor as their one Ace in the deck. If they lose that hand then their organization takes a MAJOR BLOW. So again, Fedor himself will fight ANYONE, but M-1 Global must be VERY CAREFUL on who they match him up with because Fedor losing could be the nail in the coffin for their plans. If Fedor loses his mystique the major organizations may no longer be willing to offer the contracts and in some cases the “co-promotion” and then M-1 is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
So to this garbage article that tried to pass off most of the blame on “greedy” Dana White… BS. M-1 Global’s ambitions are what is holding Fedor back.
by Johnny Vance on Nov 11, 2009 8:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Johnny Vance. You said it best. It really isn’t Fedor or Dana that is keeping Fedor from fighting in the UFC. M1 also manages Mousasi too, so don’t plan on ever seeing him fight in the UFC either.
by jay on Nov 11, 2009 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Who cares he has nothing left to prove he met em all and he destroyed em all, and he is still SMALL compared to hes oversized freaking opponents, let that steroidfreak lesnar go down to fedors weight and then talk, who cares…..
If i weighed 20 kg more than another fighter i would have an HUGE advantage, lame dabate imo
by Krakler on Nov 11, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ive been saying everythin that is in this article he must have read my post. Especially about Anderson and GSP being caught by lesser fighter while FEDOR never has givin up an L to a lesser.
by Zack on Nov 11, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been faithfully visiting this site twice a day for the last 2 and a half years for all my mma news and discussion. In that time I’ve never made a comment on a posting. But this article was such a good read that I feel compelled to reply. This is perhaps the best response to the tiresome “who’s the greatest heavyweight debate” I’ve ever read. Instead of thinking of fighters in terms of “who’d win right now”(which is pointless because of the slim margin of error between a win and a loss there can be no definitive answer) it is more practicle to argue “who has a better body of work”. In this debate I think its hard to argue against anyone with a winning streak as long as fedor. Would brock smash (that’s such a lame term given the complexity of the sport) fedor ?
Maybe. But it’s pointless to debate it until it actually happens. The only way to have a consensus on who the best is, is to (gasp) have the best fight. Doesn’t look like it’ll happen anytime soon. What I do love however, is that until the fight does happen both Fedor and Dana White will be asked the “who’s the best question” a million times in interviews between now and then. Maybe the press will annoy them both into submission and we the fans will get what we want. :-)
by the latest panic on Nov 11, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dana White is full of shit!
He knows well that Fedor is the best there ever was but Dana is trying to provoke in order to sign him in UFC.
by roman on Nov 11, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Lets see…. I’m gonna have to go with the Lesnar on this one… I mean… Heath Herring…. Frank Mir…. Grandpa Couture… Yup, Lesnar is certainly the cream of the crop right now today.
by Parisyan Sucks on Nov 11, 2009 8:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This piece of article what you have written is in a true perspective of a fighter who goes in to the ring (Fedor or No Fedor). I am from India,where mma is never heard of(But still a mma fan thaxs to youtube).I have been following lot of fighters but still I find Fedor to be slightly better than each of them. Though there are fighters who can challenge Fedor on their day. But still he may come out of it. The biggest challenge for fedor in the US would not be Brock or Shane or any body but the style of fighting in US where the use of kicks are not allowed when the opponent is in the ground where bigger and heftier guys have a advantage over him. He may have faster hands than most of the fighter in the cage and can beat each & everyone of them when he goes all out with his hands but still when it comes to ground action he utilizes more of his soccer kicks & foot stampings (while in Japan). He is never a good high kicker like cro cop or pro wrestler like Brock but when it comes to fighting he knows how to his short comings by his other styles. He in my eyes is the best in the world no matter what Dana or some UFC convert says; but still I think his achilles heels will be the style of fighting in the US than that of Japan.
by Digbijaya Singh on Nov 11, 2009 9:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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