MMA fans will more than likely be enjoying this NYE weekend by watching two of the biggest men in the sport enter the octagon for a truly dynamic fight that will answer many questions. Is Overeem the real deal and can he be the next UFC champion? Will the return of Brock Lesnar after a knockout loss see him better prepared for a striker? Will he lay on Overeem for a decision? These will have to wait and be answered at the MGM Arena on Friday night but in the land of the Rising Sun, the man who was at one time the world’s greatest heavyweight returns to Japan on NYE after being away for three years.
Fedor Emelianenko needs no introduction for who he is to the sport and what he has accomplished. Riding a successful win streak of almost nine consecutive years, many thought he was out of this world after watching his fights and seeing him reign supreme, even when he looked to be finished or close to defeat. Overcoming opponents and former champions such as: Antonio Rodrigo Nougeira, Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, Mirko CroCop and many more, the Russian fighter was the enigma to every fighter placed against him.
This was the case until June 2012 and his second fight under the Strikeforce organization, standing in front of Fabricio Werdum; the outcome was a submission loss for Fedor, the first real loss in his career and the beginning of what appeared to be the end of his career. Following this defeat, he was decimated by strikes against a much bigger opponent (Antonio Silva) and then put to sleep by Dan Henderson.
Fans and critics were calling for curtains on his time but he refused to give into the opinions stating that he would retire if, “it is God’s will.” Faith is something that cannot be taught or taken from an individual and the Stary Oskol leader was motivated by his own beliefs and passion leading into a match with fellow submission fighter, Jeff Monson in November. Fedor rose to the challenge and earned a unanimous decision for his efforts, finding himself the winner after three dropped fights. The motivation has empowered him to not only fight a few weeks after this bout but begin focusing more on his training and enlisting proper techniques and equipment for the best possible outcome.
As well versed in Sambo and Judo as Fedor is, he will have his work cut out for him in Japan this weekend when he enters the ring to fight Reign Training Center’s Satoshi Ishii. Holding a professional record of 4-1, Ishii will look to use his 5th degree Judo skills to get the fight to the ground with Emelianenko and set up for an armbar or kimura, submissions that have given him victories in the past.
Ideally, this fight will be on the ground if Ishii gets control, otherwise the heavy hands of Fedor could see the Judoka being put to sleep or having the fight dictated against him. Either way, this fight should be treated as a legitimate contendership for both men at the respective stages of their career’s and not a spectacle to end the DREAM’s tournament night with. Defeating a fighter like Fedor, especially by submission could allow for Ishii to make the jump into the UFC and allow him to face top level opponents and fight stateside, where he also trains.
Another win for Fedor puts him in a predicament of sorts. Being under the management of M-1 Global, it would be hard to see Zuffa budging on co-sponsorship the Russian promotion requires with Fedor’s contracts and would see “The Last Emperor” fighting subpar men for the remainder of his career, instead of the elite that he is still capable to fight against.
In any event, this weekend is a dream for any MMA fan, casual or diehard as this fight will be a part of the DREAM broadcast airing for free, live from Japan on HDNet (check provider listing for details) and you are not having to pay the PPV fee required to watch UFC 141: Lesnar v Overeem.
Thank you as always for checking in with FightHubTV over this past year and continue to do so in 2012. Have a safe and fun New Years!
