Fedor Emelianenko is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, especially in the heavyweight division. However, surprisingly, he never competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Recently, Joe Rogan shed light on the reasons behind this.
With a record of 47 professional fights, Emelianenko, often called “The Last Emperor,” has fought in numerous promotions throughout his illustrious career. Even after retiring from MMA in 2023 following a Bellator heavyweight title challenge against Ryan Bader, rumors circulated about a potential move to BKFC, possibly spurred by Conor McGregor`s interest.
Despite his legendary status and recognition as one of the sport`s all-time greats, Fedor remains one of the few in that category who never entered the UFC octagon.
Joe Rogan Explains Fedor`s UFC Absence
Over the years, speculation has been rife about why the Russian fighter never competed in the UFC. Emelianenko himself had suggested in the past that one reason was a perceived personal animosity from Dana White.
However, according to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, the primary reason Fedor never signed with the promotion, despite extensive negotiations, was due to his management`s demands. In a podcast episode, Rogan explained that Emelianenko was managed by Russian individuals he described as “gangster type characters.”
Rogan stated that these managers made what the UFC considered unreasonable demands during contract talks. They reportedly sought a stake in the UFC promotion itself and a share of various revenue streams, believing Fedor`s star power warranted such terms.
Negotiations became intensely difficult and confrontational, escalating to a point where Dana White felt it necessary to increase his personal security due to the perceived seriousness of the situation and the nature of Emelianenko`s management.
Arlovski Calls For Fedor`s Combat Sports Return
In related news, former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski has encouraged the 48-year-old Emelianenko to consider a return to combat sports. Arlovski himself has recently participated in the Dirty Boxing Championship, a new fighting promotion co-owned by Jon Jones.
With prior discussions suggesting a potential BKFC signing for Fedor, a comeback to combat sports appears to be a possibility. However, this prospect has raised concerns among some fans, given Emelianenko`s age.
Rupert Hartwell