LONG LIVE MMA. BUT ESPECIALLY FEDOR
Sylvia: Fedor is incredible
By MARK GILBERT
TIM SYLVIA hailed Fedor Emelianenko as the best fighter on the planet after the Russian legend submitted him in just 36 seconds.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Sylvia, 32, faced The Last Emperor in a mouthwatering clash put on by clothing brand Affliction.
The upstart promotion’s debut “Banned” card featured a host of ex-UFC alumni, including Vitor Belfort, Andrei Arlovski, Renato “Bablu” Sobral and Matt Lindland.
But it was Sylvia’s clash with Emelianenko, 31, that had the mixed martial arts world talking.
The crowd at the sold out Honda Center in California witnessed the two superstars battle it out to decide who would become the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) heavyweight champion.
And with the audience at fever pitch, Sylvia came out swinging in the opening round as he attempted to catch the Russian ace off guard with a left hook.
But Emelianenko blocked it, feigned with a right and landed a left hook of his own which rocked the American.
A right hook and a second left from the Russian sent Sylvia crashing to the canvass and Emelianenko reigned down a flurry of punches from the top.
Fedor took Sylvia’s back and locked in two underhooks to sink in a tight rear naked choke which his opponent could do nothing to escape from.
Sylvia tapped out within seconds, handing a 36-second TKO victory to the Russian, who claimed the inaugural WAMMA gold.
After the fight, Sylvia said: “I was amazed at how good he is. The guy’s a stud.
“I don’t think he’s human. He’s incredible. I don’t think anybody’s going to beat him for a while.”
Emelianenko remained typically humble in victory, saying: “I was very pleased with my performance. Everything I wanted to do I was able to do.”
The Russian later confirmed he wanted to face Randy Couture next, and the current UFC heavyweight champion revealed he expects to fight Emelianenko later this year, once he has settled his contract dispute with Dana White and Zuffa.
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