On January 27, 2019, the long-awaited UFS BELLATOR battle took place between the "emperor" Fyodor Emelianenko and a new fighter who managed to make his way to UFS in just a year - Rain Bader.
Many viewers, mostly Russians, were waiting for a truly spectacular fight, in which Fedor Emelianenko would win by a powerful knockout. But something happened that only Western fans expected - at 48 seconds, with a light blow to the jaw, Ryan Bader knocked Fedor down and began to finish off until the referee intervened.
How so? The great Emelianenko, who had won grandiose victories before, has now suffered such a terrible defeat? Some netizens began to say that age was to blame for everything, they say, it's time for the "last emperor" to retire, and he keeps fighting. Others suggested that he just decided to make some money in the end of his career and had a contractual fight.
What to believe? In fact, Fedor Emelianenko's illness is to blame for everything. This was announced to the press by his trainer Peter Theisse. It turns out that Fedor was simply not feeling well in the last days before the fight, which gave his rival Bader some advantage.
Despite such a crushing defeat, Fedor still remains for Russian fans the main symbol of UFS BELLATOR among the heavyweights. He was even supported by such a performer as Basta. We can only hope that Emelianenko will not end his career and will have at least one more farewell fight.
