In perhaps one of the most definitive mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko dominated and defeated Croatian superstar Mirko “Crocop” Filipovic on Sunday night.
The decision finish, which saw the large Russian overcome Filipovic both standing and on the ground, added Crocop to a list of names that include every dominant heavyweight fighter of the era in the main event of PRIDE Final Conflict.
Additionally, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua became the king of middleweights, defeating Alistair Overeem and Ricardo Arona in one night to win the 2005 middleweight tournament.
The card was one of the strongest in mixed martial arts history. Although Emelianenko was heavily favored going into the match, his well rounded skills, submission ability, striking ability, seen largely as too much for even Crocop to overcome, it was still both pragmatically and symbolically speaking his toughest opponent yet. It was, doubtlessly, impossible for Emelianenko—with or without the belt—to claim ultimate heavyweight dominance and prominence, without first defeating Filipovic.
Filipovic, with his characteristic high kicks and unparalleled offense, was more than merely a celebrity in his native Croatia, but also an opponent capable of destroying the vast majority of international talent thrown his way. While he had suffered two defeats, one to Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera in 2003 and Kevin Randleman last year, he avenged Randleman on New Year’s Eve and ran through Aleksander Emelianenko, the tough younger brother of Fedor.
His loss to Randleman was exceedingly surprising, but strong tactic overcoming misapplied skill and ineffective defense. The loss to Noguiera was more telling. His striking almost won him the match, but similar to Noguiera’s other fights, he was able to last for the first round because of sheer determination, despite the fact that he was dominated. In the second round, however, Filipovic lost steam and was submitted by Noguiera. It was a reflection, firstly, of Noguiera’s skill, but secondarily, Filipovic’s weakness in ground fighting once an expert fighter has lasted despite his strikes, punches, and kicks.
In this match, it was a similar deficit that effectuated Filipovic’s most damning loss. Confronted with the most skillful heavyweight he has ever fought, Filipovic was out struck by Emelianenko, who resembles more closely machine than human being, with limitations practical and emotional. It was only secondary, then, that after being dominated standing, his submission ability would be targeted, tested, and overcome by the perplexingly skillful and deadly Russian.
For Filipovic, it is back to the drawing board; for Emelianenko, the question is who can find, and thusly, attack his weaknesses. The claim is apparent: Emelianenko is the most dominant, successful, and skillful heavyweight in the history of this sport.
The middleweight tournament was one with similar outcome and some surprises. Where it can be claimed that the winner of the tournament, Rua, is one of the best fighters in his weight class, Chuck Liddell is of similar caliber and has a stake to the same claim.
Liddell, who must recently beat Jeremy Horn, has petitioned the UFC for a fight against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, who is now a free agent, in order to avenge his biggest defeat.
Rua dominated Ricardo Arona, who had scored an impressive and surprisingly dominating decision victory over a castrated Wanderlei Silva—formerly the number one middleweight here—earlier in the night, scoring multiple strikes, unanswered, for a KO victory in under three minutes.
Rua overcame Alistair Overeem earlier in the night, adding both Arona and Overeem in one night to a winning streak that includes defeating Antonio Rogerio Noguiera in June and Quinton Jackson in April.
1. Kazuhiro Nakamura defeated Igor Vovchanchyn by unanimous decision in five minutes of round two (15:00).
2. Ricardo Arona defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision in five minutes of round two (15:00).
3. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua defeated Alistair Overeem by TKO in six minutes and 42 seconds of round one.
4. Fabricio Werdum defeated Roman Zentsov with a triangle armbar submission in six minutes and one second of round one.
5. Hidehiko Yoshida defeated Tank Abbott by submission with a choke in seven minutes and 40 seconds of round one.
6. Fedor Emelianenko defeated Mirko “Crocop” Filipovic by unanimous decision in five minutes of round three (20:00).
7. Mauricio Rua defeated Ricardo Arona by knockout in two minutes and 54 seconds of round one.
