Fedor's retiring...

[JRobin]

For all you MMA fans (not UFC-only fans), the long-time pound-for-pound champ Fedor Emelianenko who dominated everyone that stood across the ring from him for 10 years and racked up a 27-win streak, was defeated for the 2nd time in 8 months last night and afterwards announced his probable retirement.

For those unfamiliar with Fedor's dominance, please watch these two vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyNxHOZiQPA

Fedor, weighing only 230 pounds, fights Zulu, weighing 360 pounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6BFzVznbb8

Fedor, only 6'0, fights Tim Sylvia, who's 6'8 with a significant weight and reach advantage, and is a 2-Time UFC Heavyweight Champion.

This wrecking machine was considered unbeatable, in a sport that unbeaten streaks are rare in the big leagues. However, age catches up on all athletes, especially in combat sports. And as a big fan of his throughout the years, I think it's best that he's hanging up the gloves now, rather than be on the highlight reels of other up and coming fighters, like Chuck Liddell who finally retired after losing four of his last 5 fights.

And Fedor fans here on Steam?

[skippy72294]

I miss the Iceman...

[Skyler88]

It's not official is it? I heard it was just sort of a rumor. I also read that his camp mention moving him to LHW, since Fedor is a smaller HW. Who knows.

[JRobin]

It's not official is it? I heard it was just sort of a rumor. I also read that his camp mention moving him to LHW, since Fedor is a smaller HW. Who knows.

It's not official, but Fedor mentioned it TWICE in his post-fight interview.

As far as the LHW rumor, he's always been able to drop 25 pounds to make 205, but he hadn't needed to because he was beating opponents with significant size, weight, and reach advantage. But I highly doubt he'll make the cut because it's obvious that he no longer has the heart to compete.

Also, what decent LHW fighters are there outside of the UFC? I can't think of any that would make interesting fights.

[Skyler88]

It's not official, but Fedor mentioned it TWICE in his post-fight interview.

As far as the LHW rumor, he's always been able to drop 25 pounds to make 205, but he hadn't needed to because he was beating opponents with significant size, weight, and reach advantage. But I highly doubt he'll make the cut because it's obvious that he no longer has the heart to compete.

Also, what decent LHW fighters are there outside of the UFC? I can't think of any that would make interesting fights.

I totally agree. I was just mentioning what I heard around the ole interwebs.

[JRobin]

I totally agree. I was just mentioning what I heard around the ole interwebs.

I understand that, I'm just discrediting those opinions. I've been a fan of MMA for 8 years and I've discussed it on the web for just as long. I've noticed many posters say 'I heard' when they mean 'I hope.'

Basically, everything's a rumor until it's actually said by a fighter, promoter, or posted in an article at Sherdog.

And in this case, Fedor literally said 'I wasn't able to readjust myself, maybe it's time to leave.' And 'Yes, maybe it's the last time... ...maybe it's God's will.'