Alexander Emelianenko

Emelianenko was expected to headline Russian Cagefighting Championship 6 on 4 May 2019. 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.

Following his time in prison, Emelianenko returned to professional MMA after an over three years absence. He faced Gerônimo Dos Santos on 27 September 2017 at World Fighting Championship Akhmat 42 and won the fight via TKO in the first round.

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 along with a $1000 (US) fine. On 20 May 2015, his promoter Oleg Rajewski stated that he would appeal the decision. On 24 September 2015, the appeal was declined. Emelianenko was released on parole in October 2016. He returned to MMA competition in 2017.

About three months after announcing his retirement, Emelianenko announced that he is making a comeback into MMA with ProFC. 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.

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.

On 10 February 2011 (2011-02-10 ) 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.

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

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.

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

After a year without professional MMA matches, Emelianenko's next fight was on 23 April 2010 (2010-04-23 ) at ProFC: Commonwealth Cup against Swedish wrestler Eddy Bengtsson, who Emelianenko defeated by TKO in a strange ending after Bengtsson fell down apparently with a light punch. Emelianenko founded his own training team, AE Team, which he started to present in his fight against Bengtsson.

A month later, on 22 May 2010 (2010-05-22 ) 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.

During July 2010 (2010-07 ) , 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. But on 3 August 2010 (2010-08-03 ) 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. Emelianenko denied this and demanded an apology from KSW. During the controversy, a previous opponent of Emelianenko claimed that he believed that Emelianenko had Hepatitis B, not C.

On 10 August 2010 (2010-08-10 ) , Polish MMA promotion Strefa Walk decided to make public the results of medical tests reportedly taken by Emelianenko. These tests are claimed to show that he had none of the varieties of 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.

On 19 October 2010 (2010-10-19 ) , 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 (2010-11-19 ) . On 17 November 2010 (2010-11-17 ) Strefa Walk announced that the date of the bout of Emelianenko's bout with Mahle was changed to 25 February 2011 (2011-02-25 ) .

Before his fight with Mahle, Emelianenko faced Australian kickboxer Peter Graham on 18 December 2010 (2010-12-18 ) , being defeated by Graham via TKO in the second round after Graham connected several leg kicks that rendered Emelianenko unable to continue the fight.

In a controversy apparently sparked by Emelianenko's tattoos, a story shown in Russian channel NTV on 20 March 2010 (2010-03-20 ) presented Emelianenko as a Russian nationalist, equated with 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.

Emelianenko has made some appearances in TV shows, including a Korean comedy show and Russia Channel One's show Big Races where he participated and lost two teeth in a competition against a bull in 2010.

Emelianenko also participated as one of the protagonists, along with fellow MMA fighter Julia Berezikova and other Russian athletes, in the 2010 Russian TV series starring Yevgeni Sidikhin, Olympic Village.

Emelianenko left Red Devil Sport Club on 3 March 2009 (2009-03-03 ) .

At the event ProFC 5: Russia vs. Europe on 29 March 2009 (2009-03-29 ) , 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.

Emelianenko was slated to compete on 29 September 2009 (2009-09-29 ) 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, 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.

On 3 October 2009 (2009-10-03 ) , 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.

Returning to Saint Petersburg, on 3 April 2008 (2008-04-03 ) , Emelianenko fought Brazilian Silvao Santos, defeating Santos by TKO (punch) at M-1 Challenge 2.

Emelianenko was signed to make his United States debut at Affliction: Banned on 19 July 2008 (2008-07-19 ) . But at the weigh-ins for the event, it was announced that Emelianenko was unable to meet the licensing standards of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC). Emelianenko was replaced by Gary Goodridge.

Emelianenko was also expected to appear at a planned upcoming Affliction event (Affliction: Day of Reckoning) on 11 October 2008 (2008-10-11 ) , but was removed from any plan due to still having licensing problems on August 2008 (2008-08 ) .

Returning to Europe, on 21 November 2008 (2008-11-21 ) 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.

In an interview published on 21 March 2008 (2008-03-21 ) , his brother Fedor, in response to a direct question, confirmed that Alexander had spent time in a prison after he was sentenced to 5 years, but was released after 3.5 years. Alexander, however, has several times denied ever spending time in prison, including in an interview published on 5 December 2008 (2008-12-05 ) in the same publication where his brother commented about the issue. Some commentators have put in doubt Emelianenko's prison time because of Japan's strict immigration policy against convicted felons, which normally would not allow him to fight in Japan as he has done, while others point out that some of his tattoos are an indication that he spent some time in prison, although some of his tattoos would indicate a status which he could not achieve at the time of his imprisonment for being too young.

After the 2008 South Ossetia Conflict 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.

On 14 April 2007 (2007-04-14 ) 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.

In his next match, Emelianenko faced Dutch Jessie Gibbs (called Gibson at the time), who was a late replacement for Gilbert Yvel. Emelianenko defeated Gibbs with a kimura submission in the first round at M-1 Mix Fight Championship: Russia vs Europe on 21 July 2007 (2007-07-21 ) .

Fighting for the first time in North America and originally scheduled to fight Wesley Correira, Emelianenko defeated American super heavyweight Dan Bobish via submission (guillotine choke) in the first round on 19 October 2007 (2007-10-19 ) at Hardcore Championship Fighting: Title Wave in Calgary. This was Bobish's last professional bout as he injured his back in the fight and refused to have surgery.

In Emelianenko's second professional loss, on 5 May 2006 (2006-05-05 ) 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 he used his brutal striking exchanges during the first round and broke Barnett's nose. 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.

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 (2006-09-10 ) .

Two months after his last fight, on 12 November 2006 (2006-11-12 ) 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). 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.

In his second shortest fight, Emelianenko defeated Brazilian Ricardo Morais by KO (punches) in fifteen seconds on 3 April 2005 (2005-04-03 ) at Pride Bushido 6. Emelianenko has commented that he broke one of his hands while punching Morais.

In his third consecutive KO victory, on 9 October 2005 (2005-10-09 ) 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.

At Pride Shockwave 2005 on 31 December 2005 (2005-12-31 ) , Emelianenko submitted 1996 gold medalist judoka Pawel Nastula with a rear naked choke in the first round.

At PRIDE Bushido 3 on 23 May 2004 (2004-05-23 ) , Emelianenko defeated Australian Matt Foki via rear naked choke in the first round.

In his fourth professional fight, Emelianenko was defeated in the first round via KO (head kick) by Croat Mirko Cro Cop, one of the top heavyweight contenders in MMA at the time, at Pride Final Conflict 2004 on 15 August 2004 (2004-08-15 ) .

On 9 October 2004 (2004-10-09 ) , 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.

Returning to Pride, on 31 October 2004 (2004-10-31 ) at Pride 28 Emelianenko knocked out English brawler James Thompson in eleven seconds, Emelianenko's shortest fight to date.

Emelianenko married his wife on 4 September 2004 (2004-09-04 ) . The couple has two daughters one who was born in 2007 and another daughter from Olga's previous relationship.

In 2003 he won the World Combat Sambo championships and repeated this feat in 2004 and 2006.

One of the youngest fighters to debut in Pride Fighting Championships at 22 years old, on 5 October 2003 (2003-10-05 ) at the event Pride Bushido 1, Emelianenko made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut against Brazilian Assuerio Silva, defeating Silva by split decision.

In his next fight on 31 December 2003 (2003-12-31 ) , 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.

Emelianenko moved from his native city, Stary Oskol, to Saint Petersburg in 2003 where he met his future wife. Before moving out of Stary Oskol, Emelianenko regularly trained with his brother Fedor.

Emelianenko has studied English and, in 2003, he enrolled himself in economics courses at the Belgorod State University from which he graduated in 2009 with a bachelor's degree.

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.

In 1999, Emelianenko won the European Sambo championships.

Alexander Vladimirovich Emelianenko (Russian: Александр Владимирович Емельяненко , tr. Aleksandr Vladimirovich Emel'janenko [ɐlʲɪkˈsandr vlɐˈdʲimʲɪrəvʲɪtɕ jɪmʲɪˈlʲjænʲɪnkə] ; born (1981-08-02 ) 2 August 1981) is a Russian mixed martial artist . He is a three-time Russian national Combat Sambo champion and three-time world Combat Sambo champion in the absolute division. He is the younger brother of Fedor Emelianenko.

Aleksander was born on (1981-08-02 ) 2 August 1981 in Stary Oskol, Soviet Union, 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.