Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor Emelianenko (often referred to simply as “Fedor”) is a Russian-born competitor in the growing sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Viewed throughout the world by many as the top pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world, Emelianenko earned such a reputation by being known as the final heavyweight champion in the history of the Japan-based PRIDE Fighting Championships, a title he held since 2003.

Additionally, Emelianenko is recognized at the current heavyweight champion of the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts and have defeated six former UFC heavyweight champions.

Originally born in 1976 in the city of Rubezhnoe in Lugansk (formerly the Russian Republic of Ukraine), Emelianenko and his family relocated to what is now known as Stary Oskol, Russia in 1978.

Prior to becoming a global MMA superstar, Fedor first became introduced to martial arts through Combat Sambo, the national martial art of Russia. Since 1997, Emelianenko has placed first a total of eleven times in Russian, European, and World Combat Sambo tournaments. Emelianenko is also a highly decorated competitor in the martial art of Judo.

Emelianenko finished high school in 1991 and graduated with honors from a professional trade school in 1994. Following his education, Emelianenko served in the Russian Army from 1995-1997 as a tank commander and then later as a fire fighter.

Currently under a promotional and management agreement with M-1 Global, Emelianenko is a part-owner of the company and also owns his own franchise in the M-1 Challenge, called Team Russia Imperial. The Imperial Team is comprised of many of Emelianenko’s young proteges and training partners.

The M-1 Challenge is a 16-team International competition often referred to as the “World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts.” In 2008, Emelianenko’s team, referred to as “Russian Red Devil” at the time, won the first-ever M-1 Challenge Championship Cup.

Considered a national hero in his country due to not only his excellence achieved in the sport of MMA but because of his history of service to his country’s military, Emelianenko carried the Olympic torch on behalf of Russia leading up to the 2008 Beijing Games. On April 14, 2007, while competing in St. Petersburg, Russia vs. former U.S. Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland in an MMA bout, then Russian-President and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attended the event as a guest of Fedor’s.

You can find Fedor at Facebook, Twitter and now he has his own YouTube channel. Fedor offers free prepaid long distance calling at http://www.FedorMinutes.com