The King of PRIDE, and once king of the world! Fedor is a legend to even the most novice of mixed martial arts fans, and his reign of domination lasted well over decade in multiple combat sports.
A Sambo master and champion of the highest order, Fedor was able to nullify most of the power wrestlers and grappling wizards he faced in Japan. His combination of throws, sturdy takedown defense, and an overhand right straight from hell made him the all time great he is!
He was able to dispatch UFC champions in Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski.. two men who had fought each other 4 times with varying results were both fell with a single right hand in the first round by the heavyweight GOAT! Fedor dismantled the likes of Kevin Randleman after being thrown on his head and feared to be far more hurt than he actually was!
His victory over the ferocious legend Mirko Cro Cop cemented Fedor as a true champion, and one of the best (if not the best) that has ever lived. The PRIDE competition was absolutely ferocious, and Fedor was able to clean out a division of the baddest men on the planet.
Mixed martial arts isn't today as it was ten to fifteen years ago. In fact PRIDE FC in Japan had all the real talent in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. With fighters like 'Rampage' and Wanderlei going to war within the same month Fedor also has a fight, Japan showed they had all the talent of the early 2000s era. UFC's Zuffa organization has always been brilliant though, and they got in on the action by buying out PRIDE fighters to come to the US, as well as sending their all star fighters like Chuck Liddell to Japan.
The early 2000s was amazing for mma, and the legends of that era are still remembered due to their pioneering of the sport, and their domination in an era which nobody had witnessed anything like it. Fedor is still a fearless competitor, and he will be facing the wrestler and former UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen a bit later this year. Fedor fights for the Bellator organization now, and he most recently dispatched the legend Frank Mir with a single right hand.. just like the old days.
What is your favorite memory of Fedor? Do you remember his greatness as I do?
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