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Bellator 290: Pros react to Fedor Emelianenko retirement after loss to Ryan Bader

By Thomas Albano

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The MMA community reacts to the legendary Fedor Emelianenko competing for the last time at Bellator 290, losing to Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader

Fedor Emelianenko, one of the greatest to ever compete in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, ended his career at Bellator 290, following his first-round loss to Ryan Bader for the Bellator heavyweight championship.

Bader rocked and dropped Emelianenko in the opening minute. He then got into top position and continued his attack from up top before going to the ground with Emelianenko, whose face was a bloodied mess.

Bader continued to throw some harsh ground-and-pound before the referee stepped in, bringing the fight to a halt in less than three minutes.

Bader now becomes the only man to have defeated Emelianenko twice.

Following the fight, Emelianenko was honored in a retirement ceremony that featured various legends of the sport in the cage as the former PRIDE heavyweight champion laid down his gloves.

Bellator 290: Pros react to Fedor Emelianenko retiring following loss vs. Ryan Bader

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Bader and Emelianenko first met four years ago at Bellator 214 in the same arena — The Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA — in the finals of the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix. With just one punch, and in 35 seconds, Bader knocked out Emelianenko to capture the then-vacant Bellator heavyweight championship.

Over 15 years after his professional MMA debut, Emelianenko joined Bellator MMA. The former PRIDE heavyweight champion lost to Matt Mitrione before competing in the Heavyweight Grand Prix, where he finished Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen before the loss to Bader.

Emelianenko scored finishes of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tim Johnson at Bellator 237 and Bellator 269, respectively.

dark. Next. Is Fedor Emelianenko the greatest heavyweight of all time?

Bellator 290: Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianeko took place on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, live from the Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.

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