Fedor Emelianeko, the Last Emperor, earned himself what could be one last chance at glory at Bellator 208.
How do you introduce what could very well be one of the most bizarre heavyweight match-ups of all time? A fight in which a noted middleweight was set to take on a heavyweight legend, arguably the greatest of all time, yet one on the downside of his career? On Saturday, Chael Sonnen faced Fedor Emelianenko in the second semi-final of Bellator’s World Heavyweight Grand Prix. It was not a pairing that anyone would have expected, if you’d asked a year ago. In fact, it was doubtful that the two men would ever cross paths.
Sonnen, whatever you think of his trash truth talking, has never been one to turn down a fight. Thus seeing him join the heavyweight grand prix wasn’t as surprising as it should have been. That he advanced, defeating Rampage Jackson in the opening round, was a surprise. Almost as much as seeing Fedor return to form, however briefly, when he knocked out Frank Mir at Bellator 198 in April.
The surprises continued on Saturday. The biggest? The fight was actually wildly entertaining.
Chael was dropped almost immediately, giving him a taste of what was to come. Fedor had the clear power advantage, and was able to throw Sonnen off when he shot in for takedowns. Another shot, and Chael seemed to have the takedown locked up, only for Fedor to come out on top. Fedor would get back up, while Sonnen would lunge for a leg, and even briefly take Fedor’s back before giving up position. However, Sonnen would survive some nasty ground and pound, and back on the feet, Fedor had tired. That allowed Sonnen to score his first really significant takedown, a big double leg he landed with emphasis.
Fedor, ever dangerous, would then reverse, winding up on top of Sonnen, then backing off, standing up, and engaging in a bit of a wild brawl after throwing Sonnen down. Sonnen finally covered up while Fedor rained down punch after punch, and with the ref urging him to fight back, Sonnen simply couldn’t. Fedor had the power advantage, and it showed. With that, ‘The Last Emperor’ had won last chance at heavyweight gold, as he punched his ticket, quite literally, to a fight with Ryan Bader in the heavyweight grand prix finale.
The pair faced off in the cage afterward, and Bader, who told reporters yesterday following Bellator 207 that he hoped to face the Russian legend in the finale, will get his wish.
Fedor Emelianenko def. Chael Sonnen by TKO, Round 1, 4:46
