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The greatest fighter to never fight in the UFC is without doubt, the "Russian Bear" Fedor Emelianenko.
For a period of eight years, between 2001 and 2009, he was widely considered as the greatest Mixed Martial Artist in the world. No one could come close to matching his dominance inside the ring. Emelianenko was unbeaten throughout that entire period.
In fact, to date, the Russian has lost just five matches in his 44 fight, 18-year career; a truly remarkable record.
Prior to entering MMA, Emelianenko won Gold Medals in Sambo at the World Championships as well as the Russian Championships.
From there, he debuted in MMA in 2000 for the Rings promotion before signing with Japanese company, Pride wherein he made his name in 2002. Making his first appearance in a Pride ring at Pride 21 on June 23, he defeated Dutch fighter, Sammy Schilt via Unanimous Decision.
From there, Emelianenko defeated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to become the second ever and ultimately final Pride Heavyweight Champion.
Emelianenko's four-year reign saw him defeat the who's who of MMA legends as he established himself as the man to beat.
When Pride closed its doors in early 2007, most observers expected him to sign with UFC. However, the Russian and UFC could not come to terms. They never did, despite many attempts at a deal over the ensuing years.
Emelianenko instead fought for Affliction, Strikeforce and most recently Bellator.
In 2018 at the age of 42, this veteran shows no signs of slowing down with a Heavyweight title bout awaiting at Bellator 214 where he bids to win a World Heavyweight Championship in a third different promotion after Pride FC and Affliction.
While his successful career shows no sign of abating, SK revisits the five best fights of Emelianenko's career to date in the following slideshow.
#5 versus Chael Sonnen (Bellator 208, October 13, 2018)
Fedor Emelianenko's most recent fight stands up as one of his best.
Pitted against former UFC superstar, Chael Sonnen in the second Semi-Final match of the Bellator Grand Prix tournament to crown a new Heavyweight Champion, the Russian had a tough encounter on his hands.
The fight lasted a little over four minutes but was an incredible display of both men's best moves although decidedly lacking in strategy.
Sonnen took Emelianenko down immediately and he also had the Russian's back early in the round but failed in his attempt to secure a rear mount.
Emelianenko scored the win, which had looked unlikely at various points to skilfully sweep Sonnen and rain down hammer fists for the Knockout victory.
A stunning performance from a veteran who proved he could still compete at the top level in the sport.
#4 versus Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pride 25, March 16, 2003)
The very first Pride FC Heavyweight Champion was Brazilian legend, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. However, when most observers think of Pride, they think of Fedor Emelianenko. That's because once he defeated Nogueira to win the gold, he never lost the title before the company closed its doors.
Prior to this bout, Nogueira had won 12 fights in a row and was widely regarded as the premier Heavyweight in MMA. However, by the end of this fight, that status would switch to Emelianenko instead.
Atypically, Emelianenko showed a willingness to enter Nogueria's guard; a position where "Big Nog" had defeated the best in the business via triangle choke and other submissions.
However, what Emelianenko was able to do from this position that no other fighter had, was to ruthlessly ground and pound the Champion.
After three rounds of action, the judges unanimously agreed that Pride had a new Champion. Emelianenko had arrived.
#3 versus Mark Hunt (Pride: Shockwave 2006, December 31, 2006)
Fedor Emelianenko's final defence of the Pride Heavyweight Championship was one of his finest ever performances.
Although the company was close to closing its doors, the Russian demonstrated that the promotion could still deliver world class action.
Mark Hunt was a heavy underdog going into this bout, understandably but he was a large fighter with heavy punching power and had the game to hurt the Champion.
For a period of time within their title bout, he did.
Hunt attempted to submit Emelianenko twice with attempted keylocks but the Russian was able to escape. Hunt, also escaped an Emelianenko armbar as the fight ebbed and flowed.
Finally, the Champion was able to secure a Kimura for the victory after a hugely entertaining encounter.
Emelianenko, due to the closure of Pride, never fought in the promotion again but secured his legacy with one final performance to savor.
#2 versus Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pride: Shockwave 2004)
After one win and a draw, in his previous two fights with Brazilian legend, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Fedor Emelianenko was granted one final opportunity to prove his superiority over his long-time rival.
With the Heavyweight Championship on the line, Emelianenko and "Big Nog" once more slogged away against each other in another classic match-up which was superior in every way to their two previous outings.
This encounter was completely different than their previous bouts, with Emelianenko this time choosing to stand with Nogueira and inviting "Big Nog" to strike with him.
The Russian avoided almost everything the mighty Brazilian threw at him and responded with impressive counter punching.
It was a systematic destruction job of a world-class fighter and proved without a shadow of a doubt that Emelianenko was the best in the world with no equal.
#1 versus Mirko Cro Cop (Pride: Final Conflict 2005, August 28, 2005)
Back in summer 2005, two men sat atop the world of MMA, as the most renowned and feared Heavyweight fighters there were.
Those men were Fedor Emelianenko and in what many saw as his greatest challenge, the no-nonsense Croatian, Mirko Cro Cop.
Cro Cop entered the bout on the back of a seven-fight winning run which had encompassed huge wins over former UFC Heavyweight Champions, Josh Barnett, Kevin Randleman and Mark Coleman.
Cro Cop's game plan was clear: Utilise his superb takedown defence to keep Emelianenko on his feet, then use his devastating leg kicks to force a Knockout.
It was a sound strategy but the Russian was an impenetrable force of nature. Countering the Croatian's approach, "The Last Emperor" alternated between walking backwards out of reach of Cro Cop and closing the distance completely, getting in his opponent's face with aggressive punching.
Once Emelianenko forced a clinch and take-down, his superior ground and pound took over.
Near the conclusion of the fight, Cro Cop earned one last opportunity to force a submission but Emelianenko managed to punch his way out of trouble.
Emelianenko won the best match of the year and one of the greatest of all time against a fearful opponent. A masterclass.
