The bout between Fedor Emelianenko, broadly thought to be one of many best fighters of all time and the towering, 400-pound Zuluzinho turned one of the crucial memorable and weird encounters within the historical past of MMA. The most effective freakshow matches we’ve seen in MMA.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Zuluzinho
Russian powerhouse Fedor Emelianenko had already established himself as a dominant drive in MMA by the point he confronted Zuluzinho. A four-time Fight Sambo World Champion and seven-time Russian Nationwide Sambo Champion. Fedor’s fame skyrocketed throughout his reign in PRIDE Preventing Championships, the place he was undefeated from 2002 to 2007 and held the PRIDE Heavyweight Championship.
On the opposite facet of the PRIDE FC ring stood Zuluzinho, a fighter whose large 6’7″, 400-pound body was as imposing. Zuluzinho struggled in opposition to top-tier competitors, struggling losses to notable figures similar to Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and Eric Esch. Nonetheless, his sheer measurement and distinctive presence within the sport made him a cult determine, an enormous amongst males.
Zuluzinho measurement was additional emphasised when standing in opposition to the notably small heavyweight of Emelianenko, who was merely 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) and 237 lb (108 kg), roughly half the scale of his opponent.
When the 2 fighters met within the PRIDE FC ring, the end result was swift and decisive. Zuluzinho, along with his measurement benefit, entered the battle as a transparent bodily menace. However it was Fedor’s distinctive ability that will rapidly put an finish to any menace. Simply 26 seconds into the primary spherical, Fedor knocked out Zuluzinho in a show of brilliance placing down the large.
Regardless of this, Zuluzinho stays a memorable determine within the sport’s historical past, identified for his immense measurement and colourful profession. He nonetheless remained lively up till 2022.
