SPORTS
Russia’s Emelianenko knocked out by US opponent Bader at Bellator’s final
Baku, January 27, AZERTAC
Russia’s legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko was defeated by his US opponent Ryan Bader at the final of the Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament in Los Angeles on Saturday, TASS reported.
The 35-year-old US mixed martial artist destroyed the Russian contender with a 35-second knockout in the first round. Bader downed Emelianenko, 42, with a massive left hook, and the referee waved off the bout.
Prior to that, Emelianenko had defeated US fighters Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen. Bader, who had beaten Americans Muhammed Lawal and Matt Mitrione, won two Bellator champion’s belts and the Grand Prix.
This was the 45th MMA fight for Emelianenko, who boasts an impressive career record of 38 wins (29 KOs) and 6 losses and is dubbed in the world of MMA as ‘The Last Emperor.’
The Russian fighter signed a contract with Bellator in November 2016. The bout with Bader was the fourth at Bellator for Emelianenko, who was defeated by Mitrione during his first fight. Bader boasts 27 wins and 5 losses at MMA.