Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva
The MMA world's heart skipped a beat when Fabricio Werdum submitted Emelianenko with an armbar-triangle choke combination in a scant 69 seconds last June in San Jose. It was the loss no one saw coming for the world's consensus No. 1 heavyweight - his first defeat in a decade and only the second loss of his illustrious 11-year career. Was it a fluke or are we seeing the beginning of the end for the fighter many think is the greatest mixed martial artist to ever set foot in the sport?
Silva, a 6-foot-4 Brazilian behemoth, will weigh 285 pounds when he enters the cage - some 55 pounds heavier than Emelianenko. Riding in on a two-fight win streak, look for Silva to throw early and heavy, and to avoid a ground fight with the tricky Sambo expert.
R1 - Emelinaneko opens with his trademark overhand right and follow-up strikes, but Silva deflects, and tries to return fire. Silva bullies Emelianenko to the fence, but referee Dan Miragliotta doesn't like the lull and re-starts them centercage. Silva begins to pursue Emelianenko and corners him against the fence, hoping his extra weight will tire the Russian out. The pair spills to the canvas. Emelianenko stays standing at first, then meets his opponent on the ground, moving briefly to side control. Silva escapes to his feet and lands a whopping right hand to Emelianenko's chin on the fence, then takes him down. Silva might have eked out that round with this last campaign and is already giving the Russian his toughest fight in ages. Silva 10-9
R2- Silva takes Emelianenko down at the bell and has side mount. Emelianenko looks tired and clings to his aggressor. Silva has mount shortly after and Emelianenko flips to his stomach, then to his back to fend off mounting punches. Emelianenko can only defend at this point and it feels like time is running out. In another stunning move, Silva lines up an arm-triangle choke, moves to side control and begins to squeeze. The crowd erupts as Emelianenko escapes. Emelianenko is where we never see him - in total survival mode with a minute left. Silva then springs across Emelianenko's body and goes for his leg, but the battered Russian grabs the Brazilian's foot for a toehold just as the bell sounds. Silva 10-8
Between rounds, Emelianenko's right eye has swelled completely shut. The fight is stopped by the attending physician, with Silva delivering the best performance of his career against one of the sport's all-time greats. Silva faces either Alistair Overeem or Fabricio Werdum in the semifinal round of what is already turning out to be a gripping tournament.
"Maybe this is the last time," says Emelianenko afterward, hinting at his retirement plans. "Maybe this is God's will."
Silva def. Emelianenko - TKO (Doctor's Stoppage) 5:00 R2
