For a long time, Fedor Emelianenko was coveted as the sport’s premier heavyweight, and rightfully so.
The stoic Russian had an air of invincibility surrounding him, after having gone undefeated for nearly a decade—an unprecedented run in his or any other era.
After the former Pride champion had succumbed to a career-worst three fight-skid, Emelianenko came storming back with consecutive victories over former UFC title challenger Jeff Monson and Olympian Satoshi Ishii—knocking out the judoka inside of the first round.
Emelianenko has made every intention to get back into his “Last Emperor” form, and in doing so, the former heavyweight kingpin will look to regain what was once his. Here are some fighters who can help usher him back to prominence.