Fedor Emelianenko competed extensively during his earlier years strictly in the Judo circuit. There had been no thought of even advancing on to something else until much later. Judo is a wonderful Martial Art, meaning “gentle way”. A person studying Judo is taught to subdue ones opponent through peaceful means, not through violent or physically damaging methods. Grappling is heavily employed in this art. Throwing the opponent out of the circle, making them submit or joint locking them are some of the very few tactics a Judo student will develop.

Fedor was content with this, focusing his studies on his grappling techniques to improve his chance of a successful bout in the Judo circuit. However, living in Russia also brought the opportunity to study Sambo, which is strictly a self defense art, again not focusing on aggressive violence, but employing what is needed without the use of weapons. If violence must be met with violence, then it can be employed, but it is not meant to be used violently on the streets. There are several different forms of Sambo, basically focusing on the purpose the student is wishing to employ. Self defense, sport and combat Sambo are just a few.

Emelianenko had a good idea picking up these two arts. Judo taught him fluidity in submitting his opponent, Sambo taught him the more aggressive side of fighting, but both maintained that he use his knowledge wisely, not to simply batter people,” just because”.

It wasn’t until 2000 that Fedor really began the career he is in now and it was only because of financial difficulties that even considered going into a far more competitive and violent sport than Judo. Judo had been his focus, and he enjoyed it, but he did not earn much. Earning a bronze medal in the Russian Judo Championship, moving on to something else was always on his mind. Following the Judo Championship, Fedor began training in Striking and kicking with Alexander Vasilievich Michkov, a professional boxing/kickboxing coach.

Fedor began his mixed martial arts career when he became a part of the Russian Top Team, which happened just after he earned his title of “Master of Sports”. However, after winning Pride Heavy weight Championship in 2003, the leaders of RTT (Russian Top Team) became agitated with Fedor’s victories outside of Russian soil and attempted to control him and his brother through uses of threats to take away is “Master of Sports” title. The brother had no patience for this, they left R.T.T. and began training with the Red Devil Sport club in St. Petersburg, with whom he still trains to this day.

Emelianenko has an incredible Record, 29 wins, 1 loss. Of these 29 wins, 6 were from a knockout, 16 were by submission and 7 were made by a decision. His one loss was due to an injury he sustained in a previous fight, forfeiting him from the fight. In 2000, at the Kings of Kings Block B event, he fought Japanese Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, whom accidently hit him over his left eye after missing a punch. This opened up a wound that required the doctor to call a stoppage on the fight. Fedor didn’t forget this, in 2005, Fedor beat Tsuyoshi by technical knockout in the first round when the doctor called an end to the fight, and Tsuyoshi was indeed in a world of pain.