6. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira 1
Pride 25
Brazil’s Nogueira had been mowing down opponents for years, and by the time he finally met Emelianenko in the Pride 25 main event, his record stood at 19-1-1 and his only loss had been avenged. After defeating Heath Herring to become the Pride Fighting Championships heavyweight titleholder at Pride 17, Nogueira dazzled the MMA world with wins over Dan Henderson, Bob Sapp, Semmy Schilt and others.
Emelianenko was thought to be his toughest challenger to date. “The Last Emperor” had yet to taste a genuine defeat, and his horrific ground-and-pound had induced many a nightmare for opponents. The experts remained torn as to who would prevail, as two of the sport’s greatest heavyweights prepared to meet in Japan in March 2003.
In what would become one of the most memorable performances of his career, Emelianenko looked like the Terminator inside the ring. He bashed Nogueira on the feet, avoided his submissions and pounded the Brazilian into the mat when the fight hit the ground. The ferocity with which Emelianenko ripped into “Minotauro” on the canvas was a sight to behold; it was at times so violent that it became disturbing to watch. Somehow, the inhumanely durable Nogueira lasted to the final bell, losing his title in a unanimous decision.
Emelianenko went on to record 18 more victories, his reign of destruction over the heavyweight division enduring for more than seven years. To this day, the Russian remains atop many all-time pound-for-pound lists, and his beatdown of Nogueira was a revelation for all.
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