1. How he managed to outstrike Cro Cop? Is it really that big of a deal? Who did Cro Cop beat, apart from Josh? Kevin knocked him the fuck out and he's not even a striker and technically not a HW. Gonzaga, a BJJ guy, sent Cro Cop to another realm with his own foot shoved up his ass. Nog had a serviceable standup but has never been a great striker. While he faced a lot tougher opposition than Fedor, he had his fair share of matches with Japanese welterweights who were, of course, spectacularly knocked out. Outside of those matches, his striking never looked particularly awesome. Sylvia obviously lost last shred of motivation after losing everything in UFC and only showed up for a paycheck. AA has 12 (T)KO losses on his record and a notoriously weak chin. Jackson... did you even see that fight? It shows why exactly the very notion of Fedor "beating UFC champions" is laughable.
2. He faced a total of 7 BJJ black belts. Which essentially means that only 1 out of every 7 his opponents was competent on the ground. Out of which he won a controversial decision against Arona, beat Nog, Monson and Rizzo. He was absolutely destroyed by Werdum, Silva and Bader. But gotta say that no grappling was involved in the fights with Bader, Monson and Rizzo. That leaves us with one hard-earned decision against Arona, pounding of Nog and absolute destruction at the hands of Werdum and Silva on the ground. How many black belts did Fedor technically outgrapple or submit? Zero. His sub wins are all Mark Hunt-level grapplers. Compare that to someone like Jon Jones who has a nice collection of black belt scalps.
3. I don't think I have less objectivity than those who rank Fedor ahead of Jones, GSP, Silva, Cormier, Werdum or Stipe in the MMA GOAT discussion. Many people here like to worship a Fedor that never truly existed. I want to point out that everything about the Fedor myth is fake – from his ground prowess to his self-righteous religious warrior persona.
1- Yes, big deal, CC was K-1 great and beat almost everyone in Pride, Randleman was a fluke he avenged later with sub.
In UFC CC was outta prime.
KOing former UFC champs in Silvia and Arlovski is a big deal.
2- Only 1 legitimate loss is Werdum.
Silva was on TRT and 50+ pounds heavier.
Bader fight was very late Fedor was 45+
3- Let's hear from more competent people than 99% or Sherbros:
edor is the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
-Randy Couture, UFC HW Champion
Fedor is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world aside from
BJ Penn, those 2 are the best fighters in the world.
-Rampage Jackson, UFC LHW Champion
As far as Fedor, I think that guy is the baddest motherfucker on the planet, that guy's a savage. He's one of those rare HW's that's dangerous on all positions....His submissions are nasty...he can fuck you up from any position.
-Joe Rogan, UFC commentator and BJJ brown belt
When asked who the best pound for pound fighter in the world is in 2008: "Fedor Emelianenko."
- George St. Pierre on INSIDE MMA
Fedor has no weakness! I have seen so many fights, and even the best fighters in the world have a flaw in their game but I have yet to find one in Fedor Emelianenko.
– Bas Rutten, former King of Pancrase and UFC HW Champion
Probably the best ever lived….he’s a living legend right now and I don’t think there’s a man on this planet who can beat him; the man is unreal. Pound for pound the best in the world
–Diego Sanchez, on hooterandgreenway radio show
"What do I think of Fedor? I think Fedor is a phenomenal fighter. He's extremely well-rounded.... And skill-wise he's probably the top guy in the world right now"
-Big John McCarthy, legendary referee
Fedor is my favorite
-BJ Penn, former UFC Welterweight Champion and BJJworld Champion, NWFS 7/9/06
Fedor is just too dominant, too good at punching people in the face. The way he punches people man he's trying to kill people, with both hands. He's in a whole different class by himself.
-Brandon Vera
NOBODY wants to fight fedor
-Wanderlei Silva, former Pride MW Champion and GP winner
Our great champion, he is the BEST in the world.
-Josh Barnett, former UFC HW Champion and adcc Champion
He hasn't really ever lost and he's pound-for-pound the best fighter.
-Jeff Monson, ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion
He is the BEST.
-Mark Coleman, former UFC HW Champion and Pride GP Champion
"...and obviously Fedor"
-Dana White, UFC President on who the best fighter is
The best in the world, no doubt.
-Phil Baroni
Look, I’ve fought many people from around the world, so I’ve seen many strong fighters. But like him, never.
-Renato Sobral
Fedor would be absolutely great in K-1
-Ernesto Hoost, 4-time K-1 World Champion
Fedor is the most incredible fighter you'll ever see.
-Frank Trigg
Fedor is pound-for-pound best in the world.
-Shamada (Pride referee)
The best fighter to climb into ANY areana is Emelianenko Fedor. He is in his own league and you can't compare nobody.
-Kevin Randleman, former UFC HW Champion
He is the best and undefeated... His striking game and his ground game is the best, so that's why he is the best... He is the shit
-Mark Hunt, K-1 World Champion
He’s the total package; looks can be deceiving. He’s incredibly strong, his hips are amazing, probably his best asset. Hard to hold down, hard to do anything with the guy………shit he’s just the best, that’s why he’s the best. He gets in position to throw the big bombs, he throws just as hard on the ground as he does on the feet. That’s why he’s the world Champion.
– Mark Coleman, former UFC Champion and GP winner
He’s the fastest I’ve ever seen. Much faster than Mirko. And he’s got a great reaction. Technically he may not have such a big advantage, but physically he is the fastest heavy guy in MMA history. He tries a punch, misses it, then immediately shoots again, Cro Cop for example didn’t even see them coming. He must practise that a lot, because it’s not easy to improvise that kind of thing. He is really with a good combination of styles, he can go from one art to the other, that’s what makes him different.
– Antonio Rodorigo Nogueira, former Pride Champion
He has a fast eye, good for counter-attacking. And in every fight he shows up with something new under his sleeve. Against Filipovic he used a great clinch-strike combo: he’d go for the uchi-mata, quickly following with a powerful hook.
- Pedro Rizzo
-"Fedor is just too dominant, too good at punching people in the face. The way he punches people man he's trying to kill people, with both hands. He's in a whole different class by himself."
- Brandon Vera
Chuck Liddell: 'I'll fight anyone, Silva? Yeah sure, Quinton Jackson? Sure, Randy Couture? Sure'
Reporter: 'What about Fedor Emelianenko?'
Chuck Liddell: 'Well if I'll have to...I'll fight him...if I have to'
-"If there's one man I'd ever question fighting, it's him [Fedor]."
- Dan Henderson
-"I was amazed at how good Fedor is... I don't even think he's human.", "I've never been hit that hard before." "This guy is unreal, I don't think anyone's gonna beat him for a while."
- Tim Sylvia
-"Fedor has no equals in Sambo or MMA."
- Aleksander Mikhailin, 3-time World Judo Champion and Fedor's former training partner
Last but not least: “Fedor is a farce.”
- Dana White
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