Many MMA fans were surprised when it was announced that Fedor Emelianenko would be taking on Fabricio Werdum in a heavyweight bout. After all, Emelianenko is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters of all time, while Werdum is a relative newcomer to the sport.
So, how did this fight come about?
The truth is, it was actually Werdum who called out Emelianenko. In an interview with Sherdog.com, Werdum said that he had been following Emelianenko’s career closely and that he wanted to test himself against the best in the world.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” Werdum said of Emelianenko. “He is, in my opinion, the best heavyweight in the history of MMA.”
Emelianenko, for his part, seemed open to the idea of fighting Werdum. In an interview with Russian news outlet Izvestia, Emelianenko said that he was intrigued by the challenge that Werdum posed.
“I am always looking for interesting and challenging fights,” Emelianenko said. “And Fabricio Werdum definitely fits that bill.”
The fight was officially announced shortly thereafter. It would take place at a yet-to-be-announced location in Russia on June 21, 2010.
The lead-up to the fight was relatively quiet, with both men staying largely out of the public eye. But as the fight approached, the trash talk began to heat up.
Werdum, in particular, seemed to be looking for a way to get under Emelianenko’s skin. In an interview with MMAFighting.com, Werdum claimed that he had “broken” Emelianenko’s spirit and that the Russian fighter was “afraid” of him.
“I think he’s afraid,” Werdum said of Emelianenko. “He knows that I’m going to beat him.”
Emelianenko, for his part, seemed unfazed by Werdum’s words. In an interview with ESPN, Emelianenko said that he was not concerned with what his opponent was saying and that he was focused on the task at hand.
“I am not paying attention to his psychological games,” Emelianenko said. “I am only concentrated on my training and preparing for the fight.”
On the night of the fight, it was clear that Werdum had gotten under Emelianenko’s skin. As the two men entered the ring, Emelianenko glared at Werdum while the Brazilian fighter smiled and waved to the crowd.
The early moments of the fight were relatively uneventful, with both men feeling each other out. But in the first round, Werdum landed a right hand that sent Emelianenko crashing to the canvas.
Werdum quickly pounced on his downed opponent and landed a series of unanswered punches. The referee eventually stepped in to stop the fight, giving Werdum a stunning upset victory.
After the fight, Werdum was understandably ecstatic. In an interview with Sherdog.com, he said that he had proved all of his doubters wrong.
“I showed tonight that I am one of the best heavyweights in the world,” Werdum said. “I want to thank Fedor for taking this fight.”
For Emelianenko, the loss was a crushing blow. It was the first time he had ever been finished in his MMA career and it called into question whether or not he was still an elite fighter.
In the months that followed, Emelianenko would go on to lose two more fights, further cementing his decline. He has not fought since 2012 and it remains to be seen if he will ever step into the ring again.
As for Werdum, he would go on to have a successful MMA career. He even held the UFC Heavyweight Championship for a time before eventually losing it to Stipe Miocic.
The Emelianenko vs Werdum fight was a historic moment in MMA history. It proved that anything can happen in this sport and that anyone is susceptible to being upset. It was a fight that neither man will ever forget.
Who Will Win? Emelianenko vs Werdum
As the old saying goes, “it’s not over until it’s over.” But in the case of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum, it may be more accurate to say “it’s not over until one of them gets KO’d.”
On June 26, 2015, at a Strikeforce event in San Jose, California, Fedor Emelianenko faced off against Fabricio Werdum in what was billed as a heavyweight title fight. The bout ended with Werdum submitting Emelianenko via triangle choke in the first round.
It was a shocking result; not only had Emelianenko never been submitted before, but he had also never been beaten so decisively. Werdum, on the other hand, had been submitted twice in his career, most recently in 2011 by Alistair Overeem.
The rematch is set for December 31, 2015, in Japan. Emelianenko will be looking to avenge his loss and cement his legacy as the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time. Werdum, meanwhile, will be looking to prove that the first fight was no fluke.
So who will win? It’s hard to say. Emelianenko is past his prime at 41 years old, but he’s still a dangerous opponent. Werdum, meanwhile, is in the midst of his prime at 36 years old. He’s also the heavier fighter, weighing in at 247 pounds to Emelianenko’s 222.
The verdict? It’s hard to say. Both men are dangerous and capable of winning on any given night. This rematch is sure to be a war, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top.
