Rafael Lovato Jr. discusses his martial arts career and his long-awaited middleweight title challenge against Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 223 in London this Saturday.
Standing at just 6-foot tall and hardly tipping the scale at more than 240 pounds, Fedor Emelianenko still managed to have an unprecedented run as a heavyweight in MMA in the early 2000s. He is, without a doubt, in the conversation for the greatest of all time, but can he be considered the best without ever competing in the premier MMA organization?
In December 2000, Emelianenko suffered his first professional loss to Tsuyoshi Kosaka. He would not lose again until June 2010. Overall, Emelianenko went on a 29-fight unbeaten streak, which is an accomplishment few have ever come near.
No matter the opponent, Fedor disposed of them, often in a quick and violent manner. Many tried to dethrone “The Last Emperor” along the way. There was Ricardo Arona, Renato “Babalu” Sobral, Heath Herring, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Gary Goodridge, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Mark Hunt and Andrei Arlovski. All were worthy combatants, but all succumbed to the great
UFC Champion Ronda Rousey Enters the Greatest of All Time Elite
When it comes to the topic of discussion of the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts, there are a few names that commonly get thrown into the mix. Anderson “The Spider” Silva. Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko. Georges “Rush” St-Pierre. However, with St-Pierre and Emelianenko no longer active and Silva’s controversial return marred by his performance-enhancing drug use, the discussion would seem to lack an active fighter who can still be considered a pure and “clean” competitor. However, that’s not entirely true. Who else, among today’s active mixed martial artists, could fit into this category? The answer is clear: “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey.
Out of Obscurity: M-1 Challenge 56, RFA 25 and SHC 11
Every week, Combat Press takes a look at three regional, developmental or international cards from the upcoming weekend, previewing from each a single fight to which people should pay close attention. We will also list other significant bouts from the card, as well as information on how to follow each promotion and watch the events.
Let’s discover those prospects that fight in the obscurity of the regional, developmental and international circuits, waiting for their shot at the bright lights and big stage of the UFC, and those veterans looking for one more chance at stardom. It all begins here, in the small convention centers and high school gymnasiums. It all begins with promotions such as these…