The legendary Croatian heavyweight Mirko Filipovic addressed with words of support to his former rival Fedor Emelianenko, who in a few hours will have to end his career with a duel against the reigning Bellator champion Ryan Bader.
“Early tomorrow morning, the last great PRIDE champion, Fedor Emelianenko, will have his last fight and leave the fighting scene!” Cro Cop wrote on the social network, posting a joint photo with The Last Emperor. “To me, he is the greatest and most accomplished MMA fighter of all time. It was an honor and a privilege to share the ring with him, and many times to share the locker room at the Saitama Arena. Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s match, for me and many others, you will forever remain an icon of martial arts and the Greatest. Good luck, Fedor!
In August 2005, Fedor Emelianenko successfully defended the PRIDE heavyweight championship belt by defeating Mirko Filipovic by unanimous decision in a bout that was voted “Fight of the Year” and “Fight of the Decade”.
Cro Cop also ended their professional career under the Bellator banner, defeating American Roy Nelson via unanimous decision in February 2019.
Recall that the heavyweight title fight between Ryan Bader and Fedor Emelianenko will be the main event of the Bellator 290 tournament, which will be held in the United States on the night of Saturday to Sunday.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/30692-mirko-kro-kop-obratilsya-k-fedoru-emelyanenko.html?rand=19907
