Stephen Martinez/Sherdog.com
1. Winning the “Fight of the Century” against “Cro Cop” at Pride “Final Conflict 2005”
It's rare that a superfight lives up to its billing, and rarest of all when it exceeds it. Emelianenko’s “Fight of the Century” against Mirko Filipovic did exactly that, going down as one of the greatest battles in the history of the sport. Fedor was 28 years old, in the prime of his career, and already seen as a living legend. However, “Cro Cop” was also seen as one of MMA's greats, as well as a new evolution to the sport. “Cro Cop” was, after all, the very first fighter to come from a purely kickboxing background and not only attain success, but become one of the very best fighters in the sport. And while he had a record of 16-2-2, neither loss reflected too poorly on him. He had dominated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, but was caught in an armbar by the never say die Brazilian, perhaps the finest win of Nogueira's career. Filipovic had been knocked out by Kevin Randleman in a shocking upset, but Randleman's random bursts of greatness were well known. However, since that loss, “Cro Cop” had won seven in a row heading into the Fedor showdown. They included revenge against Randleman in just 41 seconds via guillotine, the first submission win of his career, a devastating knockout over former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman, destroying Fedor's younger brother and top 10 heavyweight Aleksander Emelianenko in two minutes, and a 46-second injury win over another former UFC heavyweight king in Josh Barnett. Thus, by the time that he fought Fedor, “Cro Cop” had seemingly perfected his technique. He had bulletproof takedown defense and arguably the most devastating striking in all of MMA. Moreover, Filipovic’s kickboxing seemed especially suited for the sport, prioritizing single, huge knockout blows over combinations, making it harder to take him down. How could Fedor win?
Fedor spent the months before the match training kickboxing in the Netherlands, and to everyone's shock, he spent large portions of the fight trading strikes with “Cro Cop.” Forced to fight on such even terms with the Russian standing up, “Cro Cop” gave up takedown opportunities that he wouldn't against anyone else. Once on top, matters were far from clear-cut, though. Filipovic had trained a lot of BJJ with his close friend and sparring partner Fabricio Werdum and was especially dangerous with strikes off his back. This was exacerbated by Pride allowing kicks to downed opponents, meaning that he could constantly throw upkicks at Fedor when his knees were on the ground. (I seriously wonder how much more successful “Cro Cop” would have been in the UFC if this tactic was allowed!) It was a constantly tense, full-blooded battle, with both men in danger no matter where they fought. But at the end of 20 much-celebrated minutes, Emelianenko had won a unanimous verdict. It was the MMA equivalent of Sugar Ray Leonard versus Marvin Hagler, only with a clear winner.
Even now, 18 years later, despite the incredible amount that the sport of MMA has evolved and improved, it's difficult to think of a heavyweight battle with more skill on display. Top heavyweights have become taller, bigger, and stronger, but still haven't eclipsed the level seen in Fedor vs. “Cro Cop.” It is the perfect, fitting entry for Fedor's most defining moment.