Counting down to the best MMA fighter of all time

#2 Fedor Emelianenko (2000 to present)

Fedor Emelianenko: The greatest Heavyweight MMA star of all time

Fedor Emelianenko is the greatest Russian MMA fighter of them all. That covers a lot of ground. But Fedor is worth every superlative that can be thrown at him.

Put simply, he is the dominant Heavyweight that MMA has ever seen. He also holds the distinction of being the finest fighter to never fight inside UFC's Octagon.

Fedor spent the first two years of his career, competing for his native Russia's Rings promotion before he found his way to PRIDE in 2002. PRIDE would be his home for the next five years and was where the Russian made his name as the finest Heavyweight MMA has ever produced.

Fedor competed in PRIDE on 15 occasions and did not lose a single fight during his tenure there.

He became the second and final ever Heavyweight Champion in PRIDE history when he upended Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to win the title at PRIDE 25 in March 2003.

He defended that title successfully versus such legends as Nogueira in a rematch, Mirko Cro Cop and Mark Hunt and won the 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix.

UFC attempted to sign him several times after PRIDE folded but the two parties could never agree terms. Fedor fought for the likes of Strikeforce and Affliction instead and kept on winning.

Most recently, even at the age of 42, Fedor advanced to the final of the Bellator Heavyweight tournament before he was defeated by the much younger Ryan Bader.

Fedor's impressive striking and aggressive ground and pound approach made him the most feared Heavyweight MMA fighter of all time.

With a record of 38 wins, 6 defeats and 1 no contest, "The Last Emperor's" record is virtually unmatched in a two decade career.