What it Takes to Dominate Like Fedor

“The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) is a 33-year old Russian heavyweight MMA fighter who has 30 wins, including eight by T(KO), 15 by submission, and seven by decision.  He’s six-feet tall, 233 pounds, and has a 74-inch reach.  A quiet, spiritual, and stoic man, Fedor Emelianenko is considered by many analysts and MMA fans to be the best MMA fighter ever.   He’s the current Fighters.com Heavyweight Champion, the last holder of the Pride heavyweight championship, and has won many other tournaments and awards as well.

He hasn’t lost an MMA fight in over nine years.   And, his only loss was to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka at the beginning of his MMA career on December 22, 2000.  Emelianenko suffered a cut from an illegal elbowstrike and the fight was stopped.

Fedor Emelianeko’s History

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Fedor Emelianenko began training in Sambo and Judo at the age of 10 with his first trainer, Vasiley Gavrilov. He received the official certification of a “Master of Sports” in Sambo and Judo in 1997. He then became a part of the Russian national team and began also training under striking coach Alexander Vasilievich Michkov. He started entering competitions in 2000 because he was broke and needed the prize money to feed his family. He fought with PRIDE and is now signed with Strikeforce. He is currently affiliated with the Red Devil Sport Club.

Fedor: The Baddest Man on the Planet

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On November 7, Fedor Emelianenko will give undefeated heavyweight Brett Rogers a shot at breaking his winning streak at Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers”. Does Rogers have what it takes to beat Fedor? Let’s take a look at how Fedor lives and trains to maintain his status as the world’s toughest MMA fighter and “Baddest Man on the Planet.”

Fedor’s Physical Training

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Fedor trains in seclusion two to three times every day at his camp in his hometown of Stary Oskol. His training routine, which was once guarded in secrecy, includes cardio, such as jumping rope and running for miles, often in extreme winter weather conditions. He does some weight lifting but tends to focus more on dips, crunches and other strength training exercises, which are also often performed outside and at high intensity in weather ranging from mid-teens to -8F. Specific grappling, boxing and kickboxing training are also included in Fedor’s grueling daily routine.

He travels with his team twice a year to train in high altitude and also frequently travels to Holland for Muay Thai training with Yogan Vos and Lucien Carbin.

Alexander Vasilievich Michkov is still Fedor’s boxing coach and Vladimir Mihailovich Voronov is his grappling coach. He also has Muay Thai coach Ruslan Nagnibeda on his team.

Fedor’s Diet and Lifestyle

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Fedor does not have a cook on his team. He eats three meals a day that mainly consist of fish, meat, vegetables and fruit. He does not stick to a particular diet, but tries to make healthy food choices.

He avoids alcohol, sodas, candy and junk food while training, but admits he loves ice cream and french fries. Fedor keeps his liquid intake high and usually drinks herbal teas and fruit juices to stay in top physical shape and maintain his mind-blowing 500 pounds of choking power.

Fedor’s Fighting Style

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Fedor always fights with a clear mind. He enters the ring calmly and feels no anger or compassion for his opponents. On the ground he has possibly the most powerful ground and pound in MMA and can almost always achieve a submission if he is able to grab a limb. His amazing self control gives him the ability to strategize and dominate. He is very adaptable and is often able to use his opponents’ strengths against them.

Despite what some call poor form, he has quick reflexes, extremely fast hands and tons of power behind his punches.

Dana White has tried to get Fedor Emelianenko into the UFC in July 2009 and offered him a title fight against Brock Lesnar. However, Fedor signed a multi-fight agreement with UFC’s biggest rival, Strikeforce, instead.