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Alexander Emelianenko
Alexander Emelianenko
Alexander Emelianenko
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Alexander Emelianenko
Medal record
Representing  Russia
Men's Combat Sambo
World Combat Games
Silver medal – second place 2010 Beijing +100 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 Tashkent +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2004 Prague +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2003 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin +100 kg
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1999 Sofia +100 kg
Russian Championships
Silver medal – second place 2012 Moscow +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2010 Krasnokamsk +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2006 St. Petersburg +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2004 St. Petersburg +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2003 Petrozavodsk +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 2003 St. Petersburg +100 kg

Key Information

Alexander Vladimirovich Emelianenko (or Yemelianenko; Russian: Александр Владимирович Емельяненко, romanized: Aleksandr Vladimirovich Emel'janenko, IPA: [ɐlʲɪkˈsandr vlɐˈdʲimʲɪrəvʲɪtɕ jɪmʲɪˈlʲjænʲɪnkə]; born 2 August 1981) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist. He is a three-time Russian national Combat Sambo champion and three-time world Combat Sambo champion in the absolute division.[3] He is a younger brother of Fedor Emelianenko.

Background

[edit]

Aleksander was born on (1981-08-02)2 August 1981 in Stary Oskol, Soviet Union,[3][4] into the family of a teacher, Olga Feodorovna Emelianenko, and a welder, Vladimir Alexanderovich Emelianenko. He is the third child in the family and has an older sister, Marina, an older brother, Fedor, and a younger brother, Ivan.[3]

In his childhood, since his parents were working during the day, Aleksander spent a lot of time on the rough streets.[5][6] During his early teens, he used to take part in street fights while his parents were working,[6] going so far as being involved in a riot between neighborhoods.[7][8]

Since his family did not have enough money, his mother used to prepare only a single meal for the entire week for Emelianenko and his brothers[6] and he had to share clothing with his older brother.[9]

Initially studying to become an electrician at the vocational school, Emelianenko finished his studies in 1999 as an electric welder after he was transferred several times to other technical specialties for bad behavior.[3][6]

When he was a teenager, while his brother Fedor was in the Russian Army, his parents separated and, since then, Emelianenko has had a strained relationship with his father, with whom he rarely speaks.[6][7][8]

Martial arts training

[edit]

Emelianenko started martial arts training at a very early age: his older brother, Fedor, often had to babysit him, and since Fedor did not want to miss his Sambo practice, he took young Alexander with him.[7][8][10][11] At first, Emelianenko only observed the older kids, but soon he started mimicking their movements.[11] He started his formal Sambo training when he joined elementary school, training with Vladimir Mihailovich Voronov.[10]

Emelianenko would go on to practice Judo, Wrestling, and Boxing, and he also participated in other sports like Basketball and Football.[5] At 16 years old, when he was in training school, his mother forbade him from training boxing but Emelianenko kept doing it in secret.[6]

Also at 16 years old, Emelianenko became a Russian Master of Sport in judo.[12]

In 1999, Emelianenko won the European Sambo championships.[6][12]

In 2003 he won the World Combat Sambo championships and repeated this feat in 2004 and 2006.[3][12][13]

In 2010, during 19–22 February, Emelianenko took part in the Russian Cup of Combat Sambo representing Saint Petersburg, winning the heavyweight tournament (his brother Fedor injured his hand during the tournament) and earning the right to represent Russia at the World Championships.[13]

Emelianenko participated in sambo at Sportaccord Combat Games 2010 in Beijing, where he won the silver medal in the +100 kg category.[14][15]

Emelianenko has famously said of his fighting prowess, "My punches are like electric trains, if I miss, my opponent would catch a cold."[16]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

The Pride years

[edit]

One of the youngest fighters to debut in Pride Fighting Championships at 22 years old, on 5 October 2003 at the event Pride Bushido 1, Emelianenko made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut against Brazilian Assuério Silva, defeating Silva by split decision.[11]

In his next fight on 31 December 2003, Emelianenko fought against Brazilian fighter Angelo Araujo at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 Inoki Festival, defeating Araujo by TKO after Emelianenko cut Araujo above the right eye and the doctor stopped the fight.[17][18][19]

At PRIDE Bushido 3 on 23 May 2004, Emelianenko defeated Australian Matt Foki via rear naked choke in the first round.[20][21]

In his fourth professional fight, Emelianenko was defeated in the first round via KO (head kick) by Mirko Cro Cop, one of the top heavyweight contenders in MMA at the time, at Pride Final Conflict 2004 on 15 August 2004.[22][23]

On 9 October 2004, Emelianenko rebounded with a victory over Brazilian Carlos "Carlão" Barreto by decision at M-1 MFC Middleweight GP, the first time that Emelianenko fought outside Japan.[24][25]

Returning to Pride, on 31 October 2004 at Pride 28 Emelianenko knocked out English brawler James Thompson in eleven seconds, Emelianenko's shortest fight to date.[26][27][28]

In his second shortest fight, Emelianenko defeated Brazilian Ricardo Morais by KO (punches) in fifteen seconds on 3 April 2005 at Pride Bushido 6.[29][30][31] Emelianenko has commented that he broke one of his hands while punching Morais.[7][8]

In his third consecutive KO victory, on 9 October 2005 Emelianenko defeated Dutch kickboxer Rene Rooze in 28 second with a brutal knockout that left Rooze unconscious for some minutes at Bushido Rotterdam Rumble in the Netherlands.[32][33]

At Pride Shockwave 2005 on 31 December 2005, Emelianenko submitted 1996 gold medalist judoka Pawel Nastula with a rear naked choke in the first round.[34][35][36]

In Emelianenko's second professional loss, on 5 May 2006 at the event Pride Total Elimination Absolute, during the second round of Pride 2006 Openweight Grand Prix, King of Pancrase Josh Barnett just defeated Emelianenko with a keylock, after Emelianenko slipped and Barnett took advantage off this in the final seconds off the last round. Emelianenko dominated the entire fight well on his way to a decision victory moving on to the next round off the tournament. Emelianenko used his brutal striking exchanges during the first round and broke Barnett's nose.[37][38][39] Official doctors claimed that Emelianenko had fever and sickness before the fight, with the doctors advising him not to fight that night, which he ignored because it was the Openweight Grand Prix, the most important competition at the time.[7][8][40]

In his last fight in Pride, Emelianenko defeated former teammate and fellow Russian Sergei Kharitonov via TKO in a back and forth match which ended in the first round after Emelianenko punched and kneed Kharitonov relentlessly on the ground, forcing the referee to stop the fight at Pride Final Conflict Absolute on 10 September 2006.[41][42][43]

After Pride

[edit]

Two months after his last fight, on 12 November 2006 at the event 2 Hot 2 Handle: Pride & Honor in Rotterdam, Emelianenko faced Brazilian Jiu-jitsu specialist Fabrício Werdum, who defeated Emelianenko in the first round via submission (arm triangle choke).[44][45] In an interview with Sherdog, Emelianenko stated that he did not train at all for the Werdum fight as his original opponent was not going to be Werdum, and he would like a rematch with him.[40]

On 14 April 2007 at Bodog Fight Series II: Clash of the Nations, Emelianenko fought once again in Russia, knocking out American Eric Pele with punches in the first round, the first time that Pele was knocked out in his career.[46][47]

In his next match, Emelianenko faced Dutch Jessie Gibbs (called Gibson at the time), who was a late replacement for Gilbert Yvel.[48] Emelianenko defeated Gibbs with a kimura submission in the first round at M-1 Mix Fight Championship: Russia vs Europe on 21 July 2007.[49]

Fighting for the first time in North America and originally scheduled to fight Wesley Correira,[50] Emelianenko defeated American super heavyweight Dan Bobish via submission (guillotine choke) in the first round on 19 October 2007 at Hardcore Championship Fighting: Title Wave in Calgary.[51] This was Bobish's last professional bout as he injured his back in the fight and refused to have surgery.[52]

Returning to Saint Petersburg, on 3 April 2008, Emelianenko fought Brazilian Silvao Santos, defeating Santos by TKO (punch) at M-1 Challenge 2.[53]

Affliction controversy

[edit]

Emelianenko was signed to make his United States debut at Affliction: Banned on 19 July 2008.[54][55][56] But at the weigh-ins for the event,[57] it was announced that Emelianenko was unable to meet the licensing standards of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).[58] Emelianenko was replaced by Gary Goodridge.[59]

Emelianenko denied the rumors of testing positive for hepatitis B, commenting that he was unable to compete because he was late for his medical exam, having arrived two days after the scheduled date due to visa issues.[60][61] Due to the health and privacy rules in California, the CSAC was not allowed to comment on why Emelianenko was denied a license, but a member of the CSAC stated on a radio show that Emelianenko was not and would not be cleared in California, and that this would stand for all of the United States of America.[62]

Emelianenko was expected to appear at an upcoming Affliction event (Affliction: Day of Reckoning) on 11 October 2008 but was removed from the plan due to still having licensing problems in August 2008.[63]

After Affliction

[edit]

Returning to Europe, on 21 November 2008 at M-1 Global's event M-1 Challenge 9 in Saint Petersburg, Emelianenko defeated South Korean Sang Soo Lee via KO (punches) in the first round.[64][65]

Emelianenko left Red Devil Sport Club on 3 March 2009.[66][67]

At the event ProFC 5: Russia vs. Europe on 29 March 2009, Emelianenko defeated fellow Russian Ibragim Magomedov by TKO in 51 seconds, after Magomedov was close to knocking Emelianenko out but, in the punching exchange, Emelianenko managed to cut Magomedov near his right eye, which prompted the referee to stop the fight after the ring doctor checked the injury.[68][69]

Emelianenko was slated to compete on 29 September 2009 in South Korea at the event Fighting Mixed Combative 2 against Bulgarian Sambo practitioner Blagoi Ivanov, who had defeated Emelianenko's brother Fedor in the 2008 World Sambo Championships,[70][71] but Ivanov injured his hands in a previous match against Kazuyuki Fujita, which left the event date in the air, so Emelianenko decided to withdraw from the event altogether.[72][73]

After a year without professional MMA matches, Emelianenko's next fight was on 23 April 2010 at ProFC: Commonwealth Cup against Swedish wrestler Eddy Bengtsson. The fight ended in under a minute as Bengtsson appeared to fake being knocked unconscious from a light punch.[74] Emelianenko founded his own training team, AE Team, which he started to present in his fight against Bengtsson.[75]

A month later, on 22 May 2010 at the event Azerbaijan vs. Europe organized with the support of the Azerbaijan Pankration Federation (APF) and held in Baku, Emelianenko defeated Serbian fighter Miodrag Petkovic by TKO (punches) in the first round.[76]

KSW controversy

[edit]

During July 2010, Emelianenko was in talks with Polish promotion KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki) for a possible match up against strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski and reached a verbal agreement.[77][78] But on 3 August 2010 KSW co-owner Maciej Kawulski stated in a Polsat News interview that Emelianenko would likely not fight in KSW, claiming that Emelianenko had hepatitis C.[79][80] Emelianenko denied this and demanded an apology from KSW.[81][82][83] During the controversy, a previous opponent of Emelianenko claimed that he believed that Emelianenko had hepatitis B, not C.[84]

On 10 August 2010, Polish MMA promotion Strefa Walk decided to make public the results of medical tests reportedly taken by Emelianenko, which purportedly showed that he did not have any form of viral hepatitis and thus was fit to fight for the promotion. There has not since been independent verification of the tests results or recognition of the results by independent licensing agencies.[85][86][87]

Strefa Walk

[edit]

After the controversy, Strefa Walk announced a fight between Emelianenko and Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem, which Bas Boon, head of Golden Glory, confirmed to a Polish MMA website that it was in negotiations,[88][89] but a few days later Overeem announced on Twitter that he was not going to fight Emelianenko.[90][91]

On 19 October 2010, Strefa Walk held a press conference in which it was officially announced that Emelianenko would face Austrian fighter Chris Mahle in the main event of Strefa Walk M&W: Emelianenko vs Mahle in Łódź, Poland on 19 November 2010.[92][93][94] On 17 November 2010 Strefa Walk announced that the date of the bout of Emelianenko's bout with Mahle was changed to 25 February 2011.[95]

Before his fight with Mahle, Emelianenko faced Australian kickboxer Peter Graham on 18 December 2010, being defeated by Graham via TKO in the second round after Graham connected several leg kicks that rendered Emelianenko unable to continue the fight.[96]

On 10 February 2011 it was announced that Emelianenko's bout with Mahle was postponed to an unspecified later date due to the injury that Emelianenko received during his fight with Peter Graham.[97]

Emelianenko faced Magomed Malikov at M-1 Challenge XXVIII on 12 November 2011, in Astrakhan, Russia. Emelianenko lost the fight via first-round KO.[98]

Alexander Emelianenko fought Tadas Rimkevicius at M-1 Challenge 31 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Emelianenko won the fight via TKO (punches) at 1:52 of round 2.

In his final match, Emelianenko submitted to a north–south choke from American grappler Jeff Monson in the second round of their contest at M-1 Challenge 35: Emelianenko vs. Monson at the Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg on 15 November 2012. He announced his retirement from MMA competition through an open letter to his fans on 18 December 2012, citing a chronic injury and a lack of time for his family as contributing factors in his decision.[99]

About three months after announcing his retirement, Emelianenko announced that he is making a comeback into MMA with ProFC.[100] His first match since retirement however was at the Legend Fighting Show against American MMA superstar Bob Sapp on 25 May 2013, in Moscow. Alexander defeated Bob Sapp by TKO in Round 1.[101]

Alexander was expected to fight Darrill Schoonover on 25 August at the ProFC 50 event in Rostov-on-Don in Russia, but withdrew due to a knee injury. In a video released on the ProFC website, Emelianenko said that he hoped to go ahead with the much-anticipated rematch with Mirko Cro Cop scheduled for November under the Legend Fighting Show banner.[102]

MMA return

[edit]

On 24 November 2016, Emelianenko was released from prison.[citation needed]

After his release, he signed a contract with the Akhmat Fighting Club for several fights. Alexander had his first fight on 27 September 2017, as part of the WFCA 42 tournament against Brazilian Geronimo dos Santos. Alexander knocked out his opponent as early as 36 seconds of the first round. Two more victories followed: in December over American Virgil Zwicker at "WFCA 44"[103] and in March 2018 over Pole Szymon Bayor at "Battle of the Volga".[104] Both fights, as well as with the Brazilian, ended with a technical knockout in the first round. Afterwards, Emelianenko signed a contract with the "RCC", in which he fought in parallel with the "WFCA".[105] Under the auspices of the Ural promotion he held 2 fights in Yekaterinburg, which became the main fights of the evening. On 5 May 2018, at RCC 2 he defeated Brazilian Gabriel Gonzaga.[106] n 9 July 2018, at the next tournament, RCC 3, he was stronger than Czech Viktor Pešta.[107] In both fights, Emelianenko managed to knock out his opponents in the second round. On 18 August, during the WFCA 50th Akhmat League jubilee tournament in Moscow, Emelianenko faced American Tony Johnson in the main event. The fight ended in a draw (29:28 (Johnson), 29:29, 29:29)[108] by split decision of the judges. On 15 December 2018, Emelianenko was scheduled to fight Brazilian Francimar Barroso at the RCC 5 in Ekaterinburg.[109] However, in early March 2019 Emelianenko was detained after crashing into two cars while fleeing police and driving under the influence, leading his upcoming bout canceled.[110][111] Emelianenko was scheduled to fight another Brazilian, Wagner Prado, at the next tournament, RCC 6 on 4 May 2019, in Chelyabinsk. But because of the incident in Kislovodsk this fight was also cancelled.[112] Later the league cancelled the contract with Alexander.[113] On 10 May 2019, Emelianenko was agreed to fight in the GFC promotion with another Brazilian, Luiz Henrique, which, like the previous two fights, did not take place because of the Russian. This time the reason for Emelianenko's withdrawal was a fall from his bike.[114] On the YouTube channel Sport24's "HukVam" program, Alexander Emelianenko and Magomed Ismailov agreed by phone to fight.[115] On 28 December 2019, the ACA promotion officially announced their heavyweight bout, which was scheduled to take place in Moscow on 3 April 2020, at ACA 107: Emelianenko vs. Ismailov.[116] However, due to restrictive measures in the capital due to the coronavirus epidemic, the tournament was postponed to 24 July 2020.[117] It later became known that it would not be held in Moscow, but in Sochi. The three-round bout was dominated by Ismailov and ended with the latter winning by technical knockout in the last five minutes.[118]

Emelianenko, as a replacement for Vyacheslav Vasilevsky, faced Márcio Santos was slated to serve as the event headliner at AMC Fight Nights 106.[119][120] He lost the bout via arm-triangle choke in the first round.[121]

16 December 2022 Emelianenko fought with a Russian video blogger Svyatoslav Kovalenko. Fight took place within the "Ren TV Fight Club" tournament. Emelianenko lost the fight via split decision.[citation needed]

Boxing career

[edit]

On 3 October 2009, Emelianenko made his professional boxing debut against Khizir Pliev, an army boxing champion from Ingushetia who was also making his professional debut, in a fight that ended in a draw.[122][123]

On 25 September 2022, Aleksander Emelianenko was knocked out in 13 seconds by Viacheslav Datsik in Moscow at a Hardcore Boxing event.

Personal life

[edit]

In his hometown of Stary Oskol, Emelianenko regularly trained with his brother Fedor.[7][8]

In 2003, Emelianenko moved to Saint Petersburg,[6] where he met his future wife Olga,[40] whom he married on 4 September 2004.[3] The couple had one daughter together, born in 2007,[3][40][124] and shared another daughter from Olga's previous relationship.[12][125][126] They divorced in 2011.[citation needed]

He became a member of Red Devil Sport Club after he and his brother Fedor left Russian Top Team,[127] but he subsequently had a falling out with Red Devil Sport Club's and Fedor's manager Vadim Finkelstein.[128][129][130][131]

In an interview published on 21 March 2008, his brother Fedor, in response to a direct question, confirmed that Alexander had spent time in prison, having been sentenced to five years but only serving three and a half.[132] Alexander, however, denied this,[5][133] including in an interview published on 5 December 2008 in the same publication where his brother commented about the issue.[7][8] Some commentators have expressed doubt regarding Emelianenko's alleged prison time, citing Japan's strict immigration policy against admitting convicted felons, which normally would have forbidden him to fight in Japan,[134] while others point out that some of his tattoos are an indication that he spent some time in prison.[135]

In 2003, Emelianenko enrolled in Belgorod State University, from which he graduated in 2009 with a bachelor's degree.[3][13][136][137]

Emelianenko has several tattoos, which he collects as a hobby.[7][8][11][133][135] In a controversy apparently sparked by his tattoos, he was accused by NTV on 20 March 2010 of being a Russian nationalist like Roman Zentsov, which Emelianenko quickly denied, stating that he was only engaged in the development of MMA in his country, with no political motivations, especially for extremist groups.[138]

He enjoys hunting and claims to have killed a bear by piercing its throat with a bear spear and then stabbing it in the heart with a knife, a traditional way of Russian bear hunting.[7][8][40][139]

After the Russo-Georgian War, he went to South Ossetia to train in preparation for his bout against Sang Soo Lee, in a sign of solidarity with the Ossetian people.[140]

In 2015, Emelianenko married his second wife, Polina Seledtsova. They divorced in 2018 but reunited in 2022.[citation needed]

Television appearances

[edit]

Emelianenko has appeared on a Korean comedy show and Russia Channel One's show Big Races, on which he lost two teeth in a competition against a bull in 2010.[141][142][143]

Emelianenko played one of the protagonists, alongside fellow MMA fighter Julia Berezikova and other Russian athletes, in the 2010 Russian series Olympic Village, starring Yevgeni Sidikhin.[144][145][146]

Sexual assault conviction

[edit]

Emelianenko was accused of assaulting and raping his former housekeeper Polina Stepanova on 2 May 2014, as well as stealing her passport. Emelianenko pleaded not guilty and claimed the sex was consensual. Prosecutors asked for five years in prison for Emelianenko. On 19 May 2015, Emelianenko was found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison and a 50,000-ruble (USD $1000) fine.[147] On 20 May 2015, his promoter Oleg Rajewski stated that he would appeal the decision.[148] On 24 September 2015, the appeal was declined.[149]

While in prison, Emelianenko married his second wife, Polina Seledtsova.[citation needed] He was released on parole in October 2016 and returned to MMA competition in 2017.

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]
  • Professional Fighting Championships
    • ProFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Sambo

[edit]
  • SportAccord
  • Fédération Internationale Amateur de Sambo
  • All-Russia Sambo Federation
    • Russian Combat Sambo National Championship (2003, 2004, 2006, 2010)
    • Russian Combat Sambo National Championship Runner-up (2012)
  • Combat Sambo Federation of Russia
    • Russian Combat Sambo National Championship (2003)
    • 2004 Dagestan Open Combat Sambo Silver Medalist
    • 2003 Union of Heroes Cup Combat Sambo Silver Medalist
    • 2003 Moscow Open Combat Sambo Silver Medalist

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
39 matches 29 wins 9 losses
By knockout 21 5
By submission 5 4
By decision 3 0
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 29–9–1 Alexey Goncharov TKO (punches) National Fight League 2 21 December 2024 1 0:37 Magas, Russia
Loss 28–9–1 Márcio Santos Submission (arm-triangle choke) AMC Fight Nights 106 27 November 2021 1 3:58 Syktyvkar, Russia
Loss 28–8–1 Magomed Ismailov TKO (punches) ACA 107 24 July 2020 3 3:25 Sochi, Russia
Draw 28–7–1 Tony Johnson Draw (majority) WFCA 50 18 August 2018 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 28–7 Viktor Pešta TKO (punches) RCC 3 9 July 2018 2 3:52 Yekaterinburg, Russia
Win 27–7 Gabriel Gonzaga TKO (punches and knees) RCC 2 5 May 2018 2 3:43 Yekaterinburg, Russia
Win 26–7 Szymon Bajor TKO (punches) Samara MMA Federation: Battle on Volga 3 4 March 2018 1 3:03 Tolyatti, Russia
Win 25–7 Virgil Zwicker TKO (punches) WFCA 44 17 December 2017 1 2:56 Grozny, Russia
Win 24–7 Gerônimo dos Santos TKO (punches) WFCA 42 27 September 2017 1 0:36 Moscow, Russia
Loss 23–7 Dmitriy Sosnovskiy TKO (punches) Coliseum FC: New History 2 25 January 2014 1 1:43 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 23–6 Jose Rodrigo Guelke TKO (punches) ProFC 49 4 June 2013 1 4:10 Moscow, Russia
Win 22–6 Bob Sapp TKO (punches) Legend Fighting Show 1 25 May 2013 1 1:18 Moscow, Russia
Loss 21–6 Jeff Monson Submission (north-south choke) M-1 Challenge 35 15 November 2012 2 3:17 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 21–5 Konstantin Gluhov Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 34 30 September 2012 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 20–5 Ibragim Magomedov TKO (doctor stoppage) M-1 Challenge 33 6 June 2012 2 5:00 Dzheyrakh, Russia
Win 19–5 Tadas Rimkevicius TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 31 16 March 2012 2 1:52 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 18–5 Tolegen Akylbekov Submission (kimura) Bushido Lithuania: Vol. 50 21 December 2011 1 4:32 Almaty, Kazakhstan
Loss 17–5 Magomed Malikov KO (punches) M-1 Challenge 28 12 November 2011 1 0:23 Astrakhan, Russia
Loss 17–4 Peter Graham TKO (leg kicks) Draka MMA: Governor's Cup 5 18 December 2010 2 2:59 Khabarovsk, Russia
Win 17–3 Miodrag Petkovic TKO (punches) Azerbaijan Pankration Federation: Azerbaijan vs. Europe 22 May 2010 1 3:00 Baku, Azerbaijan
Win 16–3 Eddy Bengtsson TKO (punch) ProFC 15 23 April 2010 1 0:40 Moscow, Russia
Win 15–3 Ibragim Magomedov TKO (punches) ProFC 5 29 March 2009 1 0:51 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Win 14–3 Lee Sang-soo TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 9 21 November 2008 1 2:40 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 13–3 Silvao Santos TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 2 3 April 2008 1 1:34 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 12–3 Dan Bobish Submission (guillotine choke) Hardcore CF: Title Wave 19 October 2007 1 1:09 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win 11–3 Jessie Gibbs Submission (kimura) M-1: Battle on the Neva 21 July 2007 1 3:37 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 10–3 Eric Pele KO (punches) BodogFight: Clash of the Nations 2007 14 April 2007 1 4:07 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Loss 9–3 Fabrício Werdum Submission (arm-triangle choke) 2 Hot 2 Handle: Pride and Honor 12 November 2006 1 3:24 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win 9–2 Sergei Kharitonov TKO (punches and knee) Pride Final Conflict Absolute 10 September 2006 1 6:45 Saitama, Japan 2006 Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve bout.
Loss 8–2 Josh Barnett Submission (keylock) Pride Total Elimination Absolute 5 May 2006 2 1:57 Osaka, Japan 2006 Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening round.
Win 8–1 Pawel Nastula Submission (neck crank) Pride Shockwave 2005 31 December 2005 1 8:45 Saitama, Japan
Win 7–1 Rene Rooze TKO (knee and punches) Bushido Europe: Rotterdam Rumble 9 October 2005 1 0:28 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win 6–1 Ricardo Morais KO (punches) Pride Bushido 6 3 April 2005 1 0:15 Yokohama, Japan
Win 5–1 James Thompson KO (punch) Pride 28 31 October 2004 1 0:11 Saitama, Japan
Win 4–1 Carlos Barreto Decision (unanimous) M-1: Heavyweight Grand Prix 2004 9 October 2004 3 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Loss 3–1 Mirko Cro Cop KO (head kick and punches) Pride Final Conflict 2004 15 August 2004 1 2:09 Saitama, Japan
Win 3–0 Matt Foki Submission (rear-naked choke) Pride Bushido 3 23 May 2004 1 3:16 Yokohama, Japan
Win 2–0 Angelo Araujo TKO (doctor stoppage) Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 31 December 2003 2 4:28 Kobe, Japan
Win 1–0 Assuério Silva Decision (split) Pride Bushido 1 5 October 2003 2 5:00 Saitama, Japan Heavyweight debut.

Professional boxing record

[edit]
3 fights 1 win 1 loss
By knockout 1 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
3 Loss 1–1–1 Russia Viacheslav Datsik KO 1 (4) 25 September 2022 Russia CSKA Arena, Moscow, Russia
2 Win 1–0–1 Russia Mikhail Koklyaev TKO 1 (4) 29 November 2019 Russia VTB Arena, Moscow, Russia
1 Draw 0–0–1 Russia Khizir Pliev MD 4 3 October 2009 Russia Russian State University of Physical Culture, Moscow, Russia

Bare-knuckle boxing record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 United States Jeff Monson Decision (unanimous) Hardcore FC: Russia vs. USA 23 February 2022 3 3:00 Moscow, Russia

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alexander Emelianenko

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alexander Vladimirovich Emelianenko (born August 2, 1981) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist and sambo practitioner, recognized as a three-time world champion in combat sambo and the younger brother of renowned fighter . Specializing in a style emphasizing and striking derived from his sambo background, Emelianenko has competed professionally in MMA since the early , amassing a record of 29 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw, with the majority of his victories coming by or technical knockout. Emelianenko's career highlights include dominant performances in organizations such as and , where his physical imposing stature—standing 6'4" and weighing around 256 pounds—combined with explosive power made him a feared competitor in the division. Despite his athletic prowess, his professional trajectory has been marred by personal and legal troubles, including multiple arrests for public disturbances and a high-profile 2015 conviction for , , and coercion, resulting in a 4.5-year prison sentence from which he was paroled after approximately 18 months. These incidents, alongside reported associations with criminal elements in , have overshadowed his combat sports accomplishments and contributed to an erratic fighting schedule, with sporadic returns to the cage into the 2020s.

Early Life

Childhood and Family Background

Aleksandr Emelianenko was born on August 2, 1981, in , , Russian SFSR, , to parents Olga Fyodorovna Emelianenko, a schoolteacher, and Vladimir Aleksandrovich Emelianenko, a welder. The family had relocated from in the Ukrainian SSR to in 1978, settling into modest living conditions in a communal apartment's small drying room. Emelianenko was the third of four siblings, including an older sister, Marina (born 1974); an older brother, Fedor (born 1976); and a younger brother, (born 1988). Emelianenko's early years in the industrial town of were marked by a working-class upbringing amid economic scarcity typical of late Soviet and post-Soviet . His parents separated when he was around 14 or 15 years old, after which his father ceased financial support, leaving Emelianenko and his brother Fedor to manage household needs independently, often with limited food such as plain spaghetti or . He later described his childhood as ordinary yet harsh, with street conflicts emerging by ages 13–14, involving large youth brawls over trivial disputes that shaped a survival-oriented mindset: "The streets brought us up."

Initial Exposure to Combat Sports

Alexander Emelianenko, born on February 2, 1981, in , Ukrainian SSR, relocated with his family to , , where he first encountered organized combat sports training. In 1988, at the age of seven, he enrolled in a local sambo and section, marking his initial formal exposure to grappling-based disciplines. This entry into training was supported by his older brother , who had already begun practicing these arts and encouraged Alexander's involvement to instill discipline amid a challenging family environment marked by their father's strict military background. Under the tutelage of coach Vladimir Mikhailovich Voronov, Emelianenko's early sessions emphasized foundational techniques in sambo—a Soviet-developed martial art blending judo throws, wrestling takedowns, and submission holds—and judo, focusing on balance, leverage, and controlled aggression suitable for a young athlete. Voronov, a respected local instructor, guided Emelianenko through elementary drills that built physical resilience and technical proficiency from the outset. By age 16, in 1997, Emelianenko had achieved the Master of Sports designation in judo, reflecting rapid progress from his novice beginnings, though his foundational years were characterized by consistent attendance rather than immediate competitive dominance.

Sambo and Amateur Achievements

National and International Sambo Successes

Alexander Emelianenko achieved multiple victories in Russian national Sambo competitions, earning the title of three-time Russian national champion in Sambo. He also secured the Russian Cup of Sambo in the heavyweight division in February 2010, representing . On the international stage, Emelianenko won the European Sambo in 1999. He claimed the World Sambo in the absolute weight class three times, in 2003, 2004, and 2006. These triumphs established him as one of Russia's premier Sambo practitioners during the early 2000s, leveraging throws, submissions, and striking permitted under the ruleset.

Technical Skills Developed in Sambo

Emelianenko's immersion in Combat Sambo, beginning alongside training at age six, cultivated a robust foundation in fundamentals, including throws, pins, and positional control derived from Sambo's synthesis of throws and elements. This early focus, maintained without initial deviation to other disciplines, emphasized explosive takedowns and clinch work, enabling transitions from standing exchanges to ground dominance. In the Combat variant, which permits strikes alongside , he developed integrated offensive capabilities, such as powerful punches and kicks to set up submissions or capitalize on openings during attempts. Submissions formed a cornerstone, with proficiency in joint locks—including armbars and leg locks—and chokes, reflecting emphasis on rapid, aggressive finishes from dominant positions. These skills manifested in his competitive dominance, evidenced by three World Combat Sambo Championships in the absolute division, where he demonstrated seamless blending of striking power with control, such as brutal chokes and ground-and-pound precursors. His 1999 European Sport Sambo title further highlighted refined throw execution, adapting to rulesets without strikes. Overall, Sambo instilled a sophisticated, versatile arsenal prioritizing causal efficiency in neutralizing opponents through superior leverage and timing.

Professional MMA Career

Pride Fighting Championships Era (2003–2006)

Alexander Emelianenko debuted in the on October 5, 2003, at Pride Bushido 1, defeating Assuerio Silva by after two rounds, marking his entry into one of MMA's premier promotions with a hard-fought grappling-heavy bout that showcased his sambo roots. This victory set the stage for a series of rapid finishes, as Emelianenko went on to submit Matt Foki via rear-naked choke at 3:16 of the first round on May 23, 2004, at Pride Bushido 3, demonstrating his proficiency in ground control and chokes derived from combat sambo training. Emelianenko's striking power emerged prominently in 2004, though tempered by a high-profile setback; on August 15, 2004, at , he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Mirko Filipović via head kick and punches at 2:09, highlighting vulnerabilities against elite kickboxers despite his aggressive forward pressure. He rebounded swiftly at on October 31, 2004, obliterating James Thompson with a knockout punch just 12 seconds into the first round, one of his fastest professional victories and a testament to his explosive punching combinations. This knockout propelled his reputation for devastating power, followed by another quick finish on April 3, 2005, at , where he knocked out Ricardo Morais with punches at 15 seconds of the first round. In late 2005, Emelianenko secured a submission win over judo Olympian Pawel Nastula via neck crank at 8:45 of the first round on December 31 at Shockwave 2005, underscoring his adaptability in exchanges against specialists. The 2006 campaign brought mixed results: a second-round submission loss to via keylock on May 5 at Total Elimination Absolute exposed grappling deficiencies against catch wrestling experts, occurring at 1:57 of round two. He closed the era strongly on September 10, 2006, at Final Conflict Absolute, defeating fellow Russian by TKO (punches and knees) at 6:45 of the first round in a competitive striking battle. Over this period, Emelianenko compiled a 6-3 record in , with three knockouts, two submissions, and one decision win, offset by one knockout and two submission losses, reflecting a fighter capable of overwhelming mid-tier opponents with speed and versatility but struggling against the promotion's top-tier technicians in striking and advanced submissions. His performances emphasized raw athleticism and sambo-honed transitions, contributing to 's reputation for chaotic, high-finish bouts, though his inconsistencies against elite competition foreshadowed challenges beyond the promotion.

Post-Pride Period and Organizational Shifts (2007–2010)

Following the closure of in 2007, Emelianenko transitioned to other promotions, beginning with a victory over Eric Pele via punch at 4:07 of the first round on April 14, 2007, at Bodog Fight: Clash of the Nations in , . He continued with a submission win against Jessie Gibbs by at 3:34 of the first round on July 21, 2007, during M-1 MFC: Battle on the Neva 1, marking his entry into the Russian-based M-1 promotion, which had ties to his brother Fedor's management. Later that year, on October 19, 2007, he submitted with a at 1:09 of the first round in the Hardcore Championship Fighting: Title Wave event in Calgary, Canada, demonstrating his versatility across international and regional organizations. In 2008, Emelianenko secured two first-round stoppages under the M-1 Challenge banner, defeating by TKO (punches) at 1:34 on April 3 in M-1 Challenge 2: , and Sang Soo Lee by TKO (punches) at 2:40 on November 21 in M-1 Challenge 9: , both held in and underscoring his dominance in quick finishes against regional competition. This period reflected a shift toward primarily Russian promotions like M-1, amid the contraction of global opportunities post-Pride, with Emelianenko maintaining an undefeated streak in these bouts through explosive striking and . Emelianenko's activity in 2009 and 2010 involved further organizational moves to ProFC and similar circuits, starting with a TKO (punches) win over Ibragim Magomedov at 0:51 of the first round on March 29, 2009, at ProFC: vs. . He followed with a TKO (punch) against Eddy Bengtsson at 0:40 of the first round on April 23, 2010, in ProFC: Commonwealth Cup, and a TKO (punches) over Miodrag Petkovic at 3:00 of the first round on May 22, 2010, at APF: vs. , highlighting consistent early-terminations in matchups. His streak ended with a rare loss to Peter Graham by TKO (leg kicks) at 2:59 of the second round on December 18, 2010, at Draka: Governor's Cup 2010, signaling vulnerabilities to sustained leg attacks as he navigated smaller promotions focused on Eurasian talent. These years saw Emelianenko compile seven wins against one loss, primarily via knockouts or TKOs, while adapting to a fragmented landscape of post-Pride organizations emphasizing regional rivalries over international spectacle.

Affliction, M-1, and Early Setbacks (2008–2011)

Emelianenko was scheduled to make his United States debut under the Affliction Entertainment banner at Affliction: Banned on July 19, 2008, against Paul Buentello, but the bout was canceled due to unspecified issues, including potential licensing problems with the California State Athletic Commission. This marked the first of multiple scrapped Affliction bookings for Emelianenko, preventing him from competing in the promotion despite promotional hype around his anticipated heavyweight matchup. Shifting focus to , Emelianenko secured two victories in 2008 under the promotion. On April 3, he defeated via TKO (punches) at 1:34 of the first round during M-1 Challenge 2 in . Later, on November 21, he knocked out Sang Soo Lee with punches at 2:40 of the first round at M-1 Challenge 9, also in , extending his winning streak at the time. These performances highlighted his striking power but occurred amid the broader Affliction-M-1 partnership context, which primarily featured his brother Fedor. Emelianenko's momentum faltered in subsequent years with notable defeats signaling early career setbacks. On December 18, 2010, he lost to Peter Graham by TKO (leg kicks) at 2:59 of the second round in a Draka event, exposing vulnerabilities to targeted leg attacks against a kickboxing specialist. The following year, on November 12, 2011, at M-1 Challenge 28 in , Emelianenko suffered a rapid loss to Magomed Malikov via punches at just 0:23 of the first round, one of his quickest defeats and a stark contrast to his prior dominance. These losses, interspersed with wins in regional promotions like ProFC, indicated inconsistent preparation and defensive lapses during a transitional period.

Pre-Incarceration Fights and Declines (2012–2014)

In 2012, Emelianenko competed twice under the banner. On September 30, he defeated Konstantin Gluhov by unanimous decision after three rounds, marking a rebound from prior setbacks. Less than two months later, on November 15, he suffered a submission loss to via north-south choke in the second round at 3:17, exposing vulnerabilities in his grappling defense against a seasoned veteran. Emelianenko secured two quick victories in 2013. On May 25, he knocked out with punches in the first round at 1:18 during a Legend Fighting Championship event, capitalizing on Sapp's limited defensive skills. He followed this on July 4 with a first-round TKO over Jose Rodrigo Guelke via punches at 4:10 in ProFC 49, demonstrating retained striking power. His final pre-incarceration bout occurred on January 25, 2014, at Coliseum FC: New History 2, where he was stopped by Dmitriy Sosnovskiy via TKO (punches) in the first round at 1:43, highlighting a sharp drop in durability and fight IQ compared to earlier career highs. This period reflected broader declines, including inconsistent results against mid-tier opponents and early finishes in losses, amid reports of personal struggles that culminated in his 2015 conviction for and related charges, leading to imprisonment.
DateOpponentResultMethodRound/TimeEvent
Sep 30, 2012Konstantin GluhovWin3/5:00M-1 Challenge 34
Nov 15, 2012LossSubmission (NSC)2/3:17M-1 Challenge 35
May 25, 2013WinTKO (Punches)1/1:18Legend FC
Jul 4, 2013Jose GuelkeWinTKO (Punches)1/4:10ProFC 49
Jan 25, 2014Dmitriy SosnovskiyLossTKO (Punches)1/1:43Coliseum FC

Post-Release Comeback and Recent Bouts (2017–Present)

Following his release from in 2017, Alexander Emelianenko resumed his MMA with a series of victories showcasing his striking power. On September 27, 2017, he defeated Geronimo dos Santos via TKO (punches) at 0:36 of the first round in the main event of WFCA 42: Malyutin vs. Jacarezinho, marking his first fight since 2014. Two months later, on December 17, 2017, Emelianenko secured another first-round TKO (punches) against Virgil Zwicker at 2:56 during WFCA 44: Grozny Battle. Emelianenko extended his comeback streak into 2018 with quick finishes against notable opponents. On March 4, he stopped Szymon Bajor via TKO (punches) at 3:03 of round one at Samara MMA Federation's Battle on the 3. This was followed by a second-round TKO (punches and knees) over former UFC fighter at 3:43 on May 5 in RCC 2: Russian Cagefighting Championship 2, and another second-round TKO (punches) against Viktor Pesta at 3:52 on July 9 at RCC 3. His momentum stalled on August 18, 2018, when he fought Tony Johnson to a draw after three rounds at WFCA 50: Emelianenko vs. Johnson. After a hiatus, Emelianenko faced setbacks in higher-profile bouts. On July 24, 2020, he lost to Magomed Ismailov by third-round TKO (punches) at 3:25 in ACA 107: Grandpower, exposing vulnerabilities in prolonged exchanges. A year later, on November 27, 2021, he submitted to Marcio Santos via arm-triangle choke at 3:58 of the first round at 106: Head of the Cup.
DateOpponentResultMethodRound/TimeEvent
Sep 27, 2017Geronimo dos SantosWinTKO (punches)1 / 0:36WFCA 42
Dec 17, 2017Virgil ZwickerWinTKO (punches)1 / 2:56WFCA 44
Mar 4, 2018Szymon BajorWinTKO (punches)1 / 3:03Battle on the Volga 3
May 5, 2018WinTKO (punches & knees)2 / 3:43RCC 2
Jul 9, 2018Viktor PestaWinTKO (punches)2 / 3:52RCC 3
Aug 18, 2018Tony JohnsonDrawN/A3 / 5:00WFCA 50
Jul 24, 2020Magomed IsmailovLossTKO (punches)3 / 3:25ACA 107
Nov 27, 2021Marcio SantosLossSubmission (arm-triangle)1 / 3:58AMC Fight Nights 106
Dec 21, 2024Alexey GoncharovWinTKO (punches)1 / 0:37NFL 2
Emelianenko returned after a three-year absence on December 21, 2024, earning a rapid first-round TKO (punches) over Alexey Goncharov at 0:37 in NFL 2: National Fighting League, reaffirming his prowess at age 43.

Other Combat Sports Ventures

Professional Boxing Career

Emelianenko entered in 2009, shortly after establishing himself in , with his debut bout occurring on October 9, 2009, against Khizir Pliev at the Russian State University in . The contest, marking the professional debuts for both fighters, concluded in a draw after the scheduled rounds. Emelianenko did not compete in boxing for over a decade, focusing primarily on MMA during that period. He returned to the ring on September 22, 2022, facing Vyacheslav Datsik in Moscow, where he suffered a loss by decision. Less than two months later, on November 19, 2022, he secured his sole professional boxing victory against Mikhail Koklyaev at VTB Arena in Moscow, achieving a knockout win. His professional boxing record stands at 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 draw across three bouts, with the single victory coming via knockout, reflecting a 100% knockout rate in his winning fight. These limited appearances underscore boxing as a secondary pursuit to his MMA career, with no further professional bouts recorded as of 2025.

Bare-Knuckle and Exhibition Matches

Emelianenko entered bare-knuckle competition on February 23, 2022, facing in the main event of Hardcore Fighting Championship at in , . The three-round bout, contested without gloves under bare-knuckle rules, ended with Emelianenko securing a victory (30-27 on all cards), avenging an earlier MMA loss to Monson in 2011. Observers noted Emelianenko's superior striking speed and volume, though Monson's durability extended the fight to its limit. Prior to this, Emelianenko had publicly dismissed bare-knuckle fighting as excessively injury-prone in a 2019 interview, citing risks to hands and face that outweighed potential rewards. Despite this stance, the Monson matchup proceeded as a high-profile rematch, drawing attention for its no-holds-barred format absent from Emelianenko's primary MMA and endeavors. No additional bare-knuckle bouts have been recorded, though promotional discussions for further entries surfaced in subsequent years without fruition. Emelianenko has not competed in documented exhibition matches distinct from sanctioned professional or amateur events, with his combat appearances remaining tied to competitive organizations like ProFC, RCC, or Hardcore FC. Such formats, often used for non-title spectacles or veteran showcases, do not feature prominently in his post-2017 comeback record.

Achievements and Combat Records

Sambo Championships

Alexander Emelianenko distinguished himself in Combat Sambo, earning the title in 1999. He secured three World Combat Sambo Championships in the absolute division, winning gold medals in 2002, 2003, and 2006. Domestically, Emelianenko claimed multiple Russian national titles, achieving five gold medals and one silver across championships held in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012. These accomplishments established him as a master of sports in Sambo and contributed to his reputation as a premier grappler before transitioning to . His victories often featured dominant submissions and throws characteristic of Sambo technique.

MMA Records and Notable Victories


Aleksander Emelianenko's professional record stands at 29 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw. Of these, 21 wins came via or technical , 5 by submission, and 3 by decision; his losses include 5 by knockout or technical and 4 by submission. Emelianenko debuted professionally in 2003 and competed primarily in heavyweight bouts across promotions including Pride FC, , and RCC Intro. Emelianenko's striking prowess is evident in his high knockout rate, with many finishes showcasing powerful punches and knees against durable opponents. His submission wins demonstrate ground control rooted in his sambo background, though decisions were rarer, reflecting a preference for early stoppages. Notable victories highlight Emelianenko's peak performances in major events:
OpponentEventDateMethod
Pride FC - Final Conflict AbsoluteSeptember 10, 2006TKO (punches and knees)
Pawel NastulaPride FC - Shockwave 2005December 31, 2005Submission (neck crank)
James ThompsonPride 28 - High OctaneOctober 31, 2004KO (punch)
Legend - Emelianenko vs. SappMay 25, 2013TKO (punches)
These triumphs, particularly in Pride FC, underscored Emelianenko's ability to dominate established s through aggressive offense and opportunistic grappling.

Boxing and Miscellaneous Records

Emelianenko's record stands at 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 draw across three bouts from to 2022, with all fights contested at . His debut on October 9, , against Khizir Pliev in ended in a draw after four rounds, marking the debuts for both combatants. On September 22, 2022, he suffered a loss to Vyacheslav Datsik via majority decision over five rounds in . Emelianenko secured his sole victory on November 19, 2022, knocking out in the second round at in , a bout against the noted competitor.
DateOpponentResultMethodRoundsLocation
2009-10-09Khizir PlievDrawPoints4Moscow, Russia
2022-09-22Vyacheslav DatsikLossMajority decision5Moscow, Russia
2022-11-19Mikhail KoklyaevWinKO2Moscow, Russia
In bare-knuckle boxing, Emelianenko holds a 1-0 record, defeating Jeff Monson by unanimous decision in a three-round bout on February 23, 2022, at Hardcore FC 49 in Moscow, avenging a prior MMA loss to the same opponent. These matches, often framed as exhibitions blending combat sports with spectacle, highlight Emelianenko's ventures beyond standard MMA rulesets, though they lack formal sanctioning body oversight typical of regulated boxing. No additional verified records in kickboxing, wrestling exhibitions, or other miscellaneous combat formats beyond these were documented in professional contexts.

Promotional Disputes and Health Allegations

Emelianenko's career faced significant hurdles due to alleged health issues that impacted his eligibility for bouts in major promotions. In July 2008, prior to Affliction: Banned, he was withdrawn from a scheduled matchup against Paul Buentello after medical testing reportedly returned positive for , raising concerns about transmission risks in combat sports and prompting speculation that it could end his professional fighting prospects. Emelianenko publicly denied the diagnosis, insisting the withdrawal stemmed from unrelated factors and emphasizing that he passed subsequent tests, though the incident contributed to his exclusion from high-profile U.S.-based events. A similar controversy emerged in August 2010 when Polish organization Strefa Walk disclosed results from Emelianenko's medical examinations, claiming they indicated , which led KSW officials to declare he would likely be barred from competing under their banner due to health regulations. Emelianenko rejected the allegations, demanding a formal apology from KSW and asserting the tests were either falsified or misinterpreted, while a former opponent later claimed prior knowledge of his before their encounter. These disclosures, often tied to mandatory pre-fight screenings, fueled ongoing doubts among promoters about his medical clearance, relegating him to regional circuits in and the rather than international leagues requiring stringent athletic commission approvals. Promotional relationships deteriorated further amid contractual breaches and behavioral incidents. terminated Emelianenko's contract around 2009–2010, citing repeated violations including public altercations and failure to adhere to conduct clauses, which followed a notorious airplane confrontation where he allegedly intimidated passengers. In 2019, RCC Intro parted ways with him shortly after a in , where he admitted to driving intoxicated but contested charges; the promotion cited the legal fallout as incompatible with their standards. These disputes, compounded by health-related vetting failures, limited his access to premier organizations, with Emelianenko occasionally voicing frustration over perceived blacklisting in Western markets. More recent health challenges have exacerbated promotional challenges. In 2023, his stated Emelianenko would be sidelined from for at least three months due to unspecified ailments affecting recovery. By early 2025, he announced severe mobility loss, including partial , necessitating , which he attributed to cumulative physical decline from years of fighting and lifestyle factors. These developments have stalled comeback attempts, with no major promotions expressing interest amid ongoing scrutiny of his fitness.

Tattoos, Criminal Ties, and Public Scrutiny

Alexander Emelianenko's extensive tattoos have drawn significant attention due to their resemblance to symbols traditionally associated with Russia's criminal underworld, particularly the Vory v Zakone or "Thieves in Law" fraternity. Notable examples include stars on his shoulders and knees, which in Russian tattoo culture signify a "career criminal" or authority within hierarchies, and a five-domed on his right arm interpreted as representing five years of imprisonment. A pirate motif has been linked to Article 167 of the Russian Criminal Code, denoting armed robbery. Emelianenko, who served time in as a juvenile offender, has described collecting tattoos as a personal hobby rather than an endorsement of criminal status, though he remains reticent about specifics of his early incarceration. These markings have fueled allegations of deeper ties to Russian organized crime, with some observers speculating membership or high-ranking involvement in structures based on the tattoos' coded meanings, which emerged prominently during the Soviet-era system and persisted into post-perestroika criminal networks. However, such interpretations are not definitive proof of ongoing affiliation, especially following the 1980s-1990s "Suka Wars" that disrupted traditional hierarchies and relaxed tattoo restrictions, allowing non-criminals to adopt similar designs. Emelianenko has faced claims of neo-Nazi or sympathies, but these remain unverified assertions often amplified in MMA forums and media without corroborating evidence beyond ink symbolism. Public scrutiny intensified within the MMA community, where the tattoos contributed to perceptions of Emelianenko as an intimidating, unpredictable figure, potentially hindering opportunities in major promotions like the UFC due to concerns over criminal associations. He has covered several tattoos in recent years, reportedly to mitigate such perceptions and facilitate career advancement, amid ongoing rumors that have portrayed him as a "former " member despite lacking judicial confirmation of adult involvement. This controversy underscores broader debates on the reliability of as evidence of criminality, with critics noting its evolution from strict codes to more ambiguous cultural expressions.

Sexual Assault Conviction and Incarceration

In March 2014, Emelianenko was accused of raping Polina Stepanova, a woman who had been hired to clean his apartment in Moscow's Peresvetov Lane. Prosecutors alleged that he committed , along with and forcing the victim to use narcotics. The case proceeded to trial in Moscow's Simonovsky District Court, where the prosecution sought a five-year term. On May 19, 2015, Emelianenko was convicted of the charges and sentenced to four and a half years in a . Emelianenko served his sentence in a Russian penal facility, but was granted after approximately 18 months in October 2016. The Borisoglebsk Inter-District Prosecutor's Office appealed the early release decision, citing concerns over the severity of the offenses. Despite the appeal, he was released and resumed combat sports activities by September 2017.

Personal Life and Public Persona

Family, Relationships, and Substance Issues

Alexander Emelianenko was born on August 2, 1981, in , , to welder Vladimir Alexandrovich Emelianenko and teacher Olga Fyodorovna Emelianenko, whose divorce during his childhood contributed to his involvement in street fights and associations with local gangs. He has an older sister named Marina, an older brother —a renowned MMA fighter and politician—and a younger brother Ivan. Relations with Fedor deteriorated significantly following Alexander's legal troubles, with Fedor publicly stating in that his brother was "dead" to him and cutting off contact. Emelianenko has at least two daughters: an older one named Ksyusha from a prior relationship and Olya, born in September 2007. He married Olga in 2004, with whom he resided in until their around 2011; the couple had children during this period. In 2015, while incarcerated, he married Polina Seledtsova, a union that ended in by 2018. Reports indicate he remarried in 2022, though details remain limited. Emelianenko has faced ongoing issues with alcohol abuse, which fellow fighter Sergey Kharitonov publicly accused him of in , leading to arrests and fines. On March 1, 2019, he was detained for after ramming two vehicles with his Mercedes in , , while also and insulting authorities; this incident prompted his release from the Russian Cagefighting Championship promotion. Rumors of uncontrolled drinking persisted into the 2020s, with Emelianenko seeking treatment multiple times through clinics, rehabilitation programs, and religious retreats, including a 2017 stay attributed to alcohol and personal struggles. By July 2023, his physician noted ongoing rehabilitation for alcohol-related health deterioration, including brain biochemistry disruption and kidney issues. No verified records confirm personal arrests for illicit possession, though his 2015 involved coercing a victim to consume narcotics.

Religious and Lifestyle Changes

Following his release from in October 2016, Emelianenko faced persistent challenges with , which had contributed to prior arrests and fines, leading him to seek refuge in an Orthodox Christian retreat in early 2017 to confront personal demons and substance issues through spiritual reflection. This followed a similar pre-incarceration stay at a Greek Orthodox in 2013, where he engaged in manual labor like baking as part of rehabilitation efforts. Emelianenko's family, including brother Fedor, maintains strong ties to Russian Orthodox , but Alexander's own religious engagement has centered on intermittent monastic sojourns for sobriety rather than formal devotion. In 2023, he underwent rehabilitation supervised by psychologists and medical staff, emphasizing recovery. Speculation arose in January 2024 regarding a conversion to Islam, fueled by his adoption of traditional Arab attire, reference to himself as Abu Bakr, and presence in Medina during a seven-month alcoholism rehab program in Ingushetia—a Muslim-majority republic—though these claims were debunked as misinterpretations of his treatment context rather than authentic faith adoption. By October 2025, Emelianenko reported completing a treatment course with marked health improvements, signaling a potential stabilization in his ongoing battle against addiction after years of relapses and interventions.

Media Appearances and Legacy Perceptions

Alexander Emelianenko has featured in numerous interviews across MMA-focused outlets and Russian media, often addressing his fighting career, street survival experiences, and personal controversies. In a 2008 Sherdog interview, he detailed his early life in Russia, including encounters with wildlife such as killing a bear with a knife during a hunt, framing these anecdotes as part of his formative toughness. A 2009 appearance on Russia Today reiterated this bear incident, positioning it as emblematic of his raw physicality and resilience. Post-incarceration interviews, such as a 2020 ACA-MMA session following his release, focused on his return to competition and reflections on past defeats. More recent Russian-language YouTube interviews in 2022 and 2025 delved into family dynamics, including tensions with brother Fedor, alcoholism, and criminal associations, often portraying him as candid yet erratic. His public persona has also included press conferences and promotional appearances tied to bouts, such as a interview after a loss to Magomed Ismailov, where he discussed potential rematches amid visible health decline. A Sport24 appearance shocked observers with his emaciated condition, leading to speculation about and fight cancellations. These media engagements frequently highlight his unfiltered style, contrasting with more reserved figures in the sport, though critics note inconsistencies in his narratives, such as varying accounts of legal troubles. Perceptions of Emelianenko's legacy emphasize unfulfilled potential overshadowed by self-inflicted setbacks, with early promise in Sambo and MMA—bolstered by victories over notable opponents—eclipsed by legal convictions and lifestyle issues. A 2008 Bleacher Report analysis praised his striking speed and physical tools as championship-caliber, yet subsequent analyses, including a 2021 TheSportster retrospective, attribute a "ruined" legacy to his 2015 sexual assault conviction and four-year imprisonment, which derailed consistent competition. Online forums and MMA commentary, such as Reddit discussions from 2023, depict him as a "former Russian mob enforcer" and "convicted rapist" whose talents were squandered, drawing unfavorable comparisons to brother Fedor's disciplined dominance. While some Russian sources credit his Combat Sambo roots for the brothers' shared success, broader views frame Alexander's arc as a of talent undermined by poor choices, with post-2020 fights reinforcing perceptions of decline rather than redemption.

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  31. https://sport24.ru/news/mma/2022-02-24-yemelyanenko-monson-video-boya-na-golykh-kulakakh
  32. https://smotrim.ru/article/2681265
  33. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/663026-russia-vs-usa-aleksander-the-grim-reaper-emelianenko-vs-jeff-the-snowman-monson
  34. https://www.facebook.com/mma247official/posts/respect-jeff-monson-alexander-emelianenko-after-their-bare-knuckle-bout-earlier-/4701907763255496/
  35. https://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/edinoborstva/spbnews_NI1389495_Aleksandr_Jemeljanenko__o_bojah_na_golyh_kulakah_Ochen_travmoopasnyj_vid_sporta
  36. https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/video-convicted-rapist-alexander-emelianenko-returns-to-mma-wins-by-ko/
  37. https://www.rbc.ru/person/65843ab49a794745ca92b2c9
  38. https://sport24.ru/mma/players/aleksandr-yemelyanenko
  39. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/sambo/sambo_champions.htm
  40. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4701906729922266&id=204072579705726&set=a.234194636693520
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4cOFhhuwW4
  42. https://bloodyelbow.com/2008/07/23/aleksander-emelianenko-pos/
  43. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/133840-aleksander-emelianenko-is-the-tommy-morrison-of-mma
  44. https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/emelianenkos-former-opponent-claims-he-knew-about-aleksanders-hepatitis-before-they-fought/
  45. https://mma.sg/report_aleksander_emelianenko_tests_positive_hepatitis_b
  46. https://mixedmartialarts.com/mma/the-scariest-man-in-mixed-martial-arts-part-2/
  47. https://thebodylockmma.com/uncategorized/russian-mma-promotion-rcc-releases-alexander-emelianenko-following-dui/
  48. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2109384-alexander-emelianenko-facing-jail-time-on-sexual-assault-charges
  49. https://ringside24.com/en/news/mma/144689-the-attending-physician-spoke-about-the-current-state-of-alexander-emelianenko
  50. https://iz.ru/en/node/1975895
  51. https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/why-not-aleksander-emelianenko.15904/
  52. https://www.freedomcardboard.com/forum/threads/aleksander-emelianenkos-tattoos.2133/
  53. https://fightersonly.com/article/ext/41873
  54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5bPCJYCq4
  55. https://fightersonlymag.com/latest-news/aleksanders-ink-secret-story-russian-tattoos/
  56. https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/aleksander-emelianenko-to-u-s-after-all.17628/
  57. https://www.reddit.com/r/TattooDesigns/comments/1fpit8j/alexander_emelianenko_anybody_know_what_this/
  58. https://www.spisok-putina.org/en/personas/emelianenko/
  59. https://rapsinews.com/news/20150512/273701908.html
  60. https://tass.com/sports/909279
  61. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Alexander_Emelianenko
  62. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/alexander-emelianenko.html
  63. https://www.reddit.com/r/MMA/comments/80yisx/relationship_between_brothers_fedor_and/
  64. https://mixedmartialarts.fandom.com/wiki/Aleksander_Emelianenko
  65. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/aleksander-emelianenko-and-olga-emelianenko
  66. https://ringside24.com/en/31210-alexander-emelianenko-marries-his-wife-whom-he-divorced
  67. https://www.fightersonlymag.com/interviews/alcohol-and-personal-demons-behind-alex-emelianenkos-monastery-retreat/
  68. https://www.fightersonlymag.com/latest-news/aleks-emelianenko-accused-of-attacking-63yr-old-man/
  69. https://global-mma.forumotion.com/t5368-aleksander-emelianenko-baking-bread-while-in-rehab-at-a-greek-monastery
  70. https://www.bjjee.com/bjj-news/alexander-emelianenkos-alleged-conversion-to-islam-appears-to-be-debunked/
  71. https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/From-Surviving-the-Streets-of-Russia-to-MMA-The-Story-of-Aleksander-Emelianenko-Part-2-13709
  72. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xb56fo
  73. https://aca-mma.com/en/video/4/interview-alexander-emelianenko-fgswS245_34260
  74. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrMnULOuEew
  75. https://mma.metaratings.ru/articles/aleksandr-emelyanenko-poyavilsya-na-publike-i-sokiroval-vsex-svoim-vnesnim-vidom-boi-s-dacikom-otmenyaetsya/
  76. https://global-mma.forumotion.com/t9178-a-long-bizarre-interview-with-alexander-emelianenko
  77. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/63321-fearing-the-reaper-the-rise-of-aleksander-emelianenko
  78. https://www.thesportster.com/mma-legacies-that-were-ruined/
  79. https://www.reddit.com/r/nextfuckinglevel/comments/18rfyf3/bored_and_tired_looking_alexander_emelianenko/
  80. https://www.quora.com/What-is-it-exactly-that-makes-the-Emelianenko-brothers-so-devastatingly-formidable-as-MMA-fighters
  81. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b3MqIkPBfI
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