5 best Fedor Emelianenko fights

#1 versus Mirko Cro Cop (Pride: Final Conflict 2005, August 28, 2005)

Emelianenko grapples with Cro Cop

Back in summer 2005, two men sat atop the world of MMA, as the most renowned and feared Heavyweight fighters there were.

Those men were Fedor Emelianenko and in what many saw as his greatest challenge, the no-nonsense Croatian, Mirko Cro Cop.

Cro Cop entered the bout on the back of a seven-fight winning run which had encompassed huge wins over former UFC Heavyweight Champions, Josh Barnett, Kevin Randleman and Mark Coleman.

Cro Cop's game plan was clear: Utilise his superb takedown defence to keep Emelianenko on his feet, then use his devastating leg kicks to force a Knockout.

It was a sound strategy but the Russian was an impenetrable force of nature. Countering the Croatian's approach, "The Last Emperor" alternated between walking backwards out of reach of Cro Cop and closing the distance completely, getting in his opponent's face with aggressive punching.

Once Emelianenko forced a clinch and take-down, his superior ground and pound took over.

Near the conclusion of the fight, Cro Cop earned one last opportunity to force a submission but Emelianenko managed to punch his way out of trouble.

Emelianenko won the best match of the year and one of the greatest of all time against a fearful opponent. A masterclass.