Sherdog's Top 10: Fedor Emelianenko Moments

7. Defeating Mark Coleman in their Rematch and then Consoling his Crying Daughters

The fight itself was notable, though probably not one of Fedor's greatest triumphs. In their first meeting in 2004, he had already submitted the first UFC heavyweight champion via armbar in just over two minutes. He was the huge favorite in the rematch, though the stakes were higher now, as Emelianenko-Coleman 2 was the main event of Pride’s first foray outside of Japan. Being held in the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, it attracted a lot of buzz among MMA fans. In fact, two of my older friends in college ditched classes just to drive to Vegas and watch the grand spectacle, though since I wasn't yet 21 and couldn't drink or gamble, I stayed behind. (I'm not bitter...) As expected, Fedor delivered a beating to Coleman, again winning by armbar but this time early in Round 2, meaning he spent a lot more time pummeling “The Godfather of Ground-and-Pound.” Coleman went for takedowns throughout but was constantly stymied, eating huge punches in the process. But what happened afterwards was as notable as the fight itself. Backstage, as his two little daughters were crying inconsolably, a badly bruised, bloody, and hurt Coleman desperately tried to calm them down, his own heart breaking. In the process, he introduced them to the man who had just mauled their father, stating that he wasn't a bad guy, as the Pride champion, a father himself, sheepishly smiled and tried to say something reassuring in a language he could barely speak. It was a simultaneously bittersweet, awkward and funny moment, one that perfectly encapsulated the unique nature of MMA.

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