Few fighters have achieved the legendary status of Fedor Emelianenko. Known as “The Last Emperor,” Emelianenko’s impact on the sport extends far beyond his impressive record. In fact, he even inspired one of MMA’s most dominant female champions, Ronda Rousey, to fall head over heels – both for the sport and for Fedor himself.
Back in 2014, before her marriage and motherhood, Rousey made headlines with her candid admiration for Emelianenko. The two-time Judo Olympian revealed that her introduction to MMA came through watching videos of Fedor’s fights. These glimpses of the Russian heavyweight in action were enough to ignite Rousey’s passion for the sport and spark a rather intense crush on the fighter.
In a lighthearted moment, Rousey jokingly expressed her admiration, stating, “I want to have fifty-seven of his babies. It’s true… I’d go fifty-eight for him if he really wanted another one.” While the statement was clearly hyperbolic, it underscored the depth of Rousey’s respect and admiration for Emelianenko.
Rousey elaborated on her feelings, saying, “He’s always been my image of what MMA is supposed to be. So, I will always be not so secretly in love with Fedor Emelianenko.” She even admitted to never having met the MMA star, playfully adding that if she did, she would “probably turn nineteen shades of red and faint.”
Of course, Rousey acknowledged the impossibility of her fanciful wish, given that Emelianenko was already married. Nevertheless, her comments shed light on the profound impact Fedor had on aspiring fighters and the sport as a whole.
Fast forward to 2024, and both fighters’ lives have taken different paths. Rousey, now a mother of one with another on the way, has transitioned from UFC to WWE and is exploring new ventures, including writing a graphic novel. Emelianenko, at 47, has retired from professional MMA after an illustrious career that spanned over two decades.
While Rousey’s crush on Fedor may be a thing of the past, her early admiration for him highlights the inspirational role that established fighters can play in shaping the dreams and careers of up-and-coming athletes. It’s a testament to Emelianenko’s legacy that he could inspire such devotion not just from fans, but from future champions like Rousey herself.
