Fedor Emelianenko

His ability for achievement in mixed martial arts began with an interest in judo and self-defense, where he trained under Gavrilov V.I. and subsequently, Voronov V.M. In 1997 he won the title of Master of Sports in Judo with his success with the international tournament Kursk. Following this triumph, he won many more titles, medals and honors in Russian self-defense, and judo championships. (In 2001 he became a world wrestling holder in the heavyweight division. In 2002 he held the honor of champion in absolute weight and additionally became the last person to hold the Pride heavyweight championship.) Emelianenko has been considered the best heavyweight fighter in the world for the last five years by many major publications, including ESPN, the Orange County Register, The Fight Network, the Houston Chronicle, The Wrestling Observer, and Inside MMA. He held notable individual wins over K-1 super heavyweight champion Semmy Schilt, former PRIDE and current UFC champion Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), PRIDE 2006 open weight champion Mirko Filipovic, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, and Mark Hunt. His accomplishments led to notable wins such as the PRIDE 2004 Grand Prix, the World Combat Sambo Championship on four occasions and becoming the very first fighter to hold the WAMMA title.

Defending his World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts' Undisputed World Heavyweight Title for the first-time ever, Fedor Emelianenko was successful in retaining his belt after knocking out former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski at 3:14 of round 1 on January 24th at Affliction's Day of Reckoning.