Fedor Emelianenko, dubbed ‘The Last Emperor,’ is a name etched in MMA history with a resume that sparkles brighter than most. For nearly four years (2003-2006), he reigned as the PRIDE Heavyweight Champion, dominating with a ferocity that left opponents reeling. Beyond MMA, Emelianenko’s prowess extended to judo and combat sambo, where he clinched four world titles. His 40 MMA victories include triumphs over titans like former UFC champions Kevin Randleman, Rampage Jackson, Mark Coleman, and Andrei Arlovski—a hit list that cements his legacy as one of the sport’s most formidable warriors.
Over a storied 23-year career, the Russian icon carved his path outside the UFC, dominating in PRIDE, Rings (in Lithuania and Japan), and later in Strikeforce and Bellator. Many fans and analysts hail him as the greatest MMA fighter to never step into the UFC’s octagon. Yet, for UFC president Dana White, Fedor’s absence from his promotion and his place in the GOAT conversation barely register.
Speaking backstage at UFC Fight Night 218 in 2023, just a day after Emelianenko’s retirement announcement, White shrugged off the notion of Fedor as an all-time great. “I don’t dislike Fedor or anything, but we tried to make it happen. It didn’t. It is what it is,” he told MMA Junkie and reporters, his tone casual but dismissive. The clip, which went viral, sparked heated debates about Fedor’s legacy and why the UFC boss remains unmoved by the Russian’s accolades.
When pressed further, White didn’t hold back. “He got knocked out by middleweight Dan Henderson,” he said, his voice sharpening. “Some people in the business liked him, so they hyped him up. But he never tested himself here. I never thought he was one of the greatest of all time.” For White, Fedor’s failure to compete in the UFC casts a shadow over his otherwise stellar career.
In stark contrast, White’s admiration for Jon Jones is unwavering. Even before Jones’ heavyweight debut in 2023, White was unequivocal: “Nobody can deny Jon Jones is the greatest of all time. If he wins this heavyweight title, there’s no debate left.” Comparing Jones to NFL legend Tom Brady, White chuckled, “It’s like Brady leaving the Patriots and winning with the Buccaneers. You can hate on him, but you can’t deny him.”
True to White’s prediction, Jones stormed into the heavyweight division at UFC 285, submitting Ciryl Gane with a guillotine choke in just over two minutes to claim the vacant UFC Heavyweight title. That night, Jones solidified his case as the UFC’s GOAT—not just in White’s eyes, but for many fans worldwide.
Yet, Jones’ legacy isn’t without its cracks. His reluctance to face interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has stirred controversy, leaving some to question whether his GOAT status is as ironclad as White claims. Meanwhile, Fedor’s shadow looms large—a reminder of a different kind of greatness, one that thrived outside the UFC’s spotlight but, in White’s view, falls short of the ultimate pedestal.
