:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61763133/062_Fedor_Emelianenko_x_Chael_Sonnen.0.jpg)
“The Last Emperor” isn’t done yet.
In a one-sided performance, legend Fedor Emelianenko made quick work of Chael Sonnen in Saturday’s Bellator 208 main event in Uniondale, N.Y., defeating “The American Gangster” by first-round TKO to advance to the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix finals against Ryan Bader. The win gives the 42-year-old his first shot at a championship belt in nine years.
Emelianenko wasn’t the only veteran who put on a standout performance. In the co-main event, former UFC lightweight champion won a convincing unanimous decision over the streaking Saad Awad, and Cheick Kongo needed just 68 seconds to KO Timothy Johnson.
Those results had plenty of MMA folks chiming in on social media and you can see the best reactions below.
FEDOR EMELIANENKO DEF. CHAEL SONNEN
Ladies and gentlemen @ChaelSonnen is fIghting ... God bless America !!!
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) October 14, 2018
Who’s it gonna be!??? Chael or Fedor? pic.twitter.com/nPFRSROb4y
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) October 14, 2018
Go Fedor Make this.
— Dudu Dantas (@DuduDantasMMA) October 14, 2018
Live now @BellatorMMA #208
Let’s go @ChaelSonnen !!!!
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 13, 2018
Who else has @ChaelSonnen
— Tim Sylvia (@timsylviamma) October 14, 2018
This is my first time seeing Fedor Emelianenko fight in person I’m excited. get the strap #Bellator208
— 50cent (@50cent) October 14, 2018
I think its gunna be a all wrestler final in this grand prix! Sonnen to win by laying down... I mean by decision lol #Bellator208
— Liam McGeary (@liam_mcgeary) October 14, 2018
The fight we’ve been waiting for!!! The American gangster vs the Russian legend #Bellator208
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) October 14, 2018
Wow #Fedor with the huge win! One of my first #mma heros. The original Russian Gangster. Great job #Bellator208 #FedorVsSonnen #UndersizedHeavyweight #BadMan @BellatorMMA @MMAjunkie @MMAFighting
— Arjan Singh Bhullar (@TheOneASB) October 14, 2018
Shit
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) October 14, 2018
The last imperator win. The legend is more alive than ever. #Bellator208
— Dudu Dantas (@DuduDantasMMA) October 14, 2018
FEDOR .
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) October 14, 2018
Balls and class from @ChaelSonnen
— michael (@bisping) October 14, 2018
Chael great mma mind super intelligent but mentally weak never had the heart of fighter
— Terrion Flash Ware (@flashmma) October 14, 2018
You gonna tell me he didn’t quit maybe I’m blind ♂️ https://t.co/relDYwWCGP
— Terrion Flash Ware (@flashmma) October 14, 2018
No doubt in my mind that @ryanbader wins this tournament. I love Fedor, but he gets taken down by Bader and he doesn’t get up. And he can’t get tired and be so reckless. Gonna be fun to watch.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 14, 2018
BENSON HENDERSON DEF. SAAD AWAD
Good luck @BensonHenderson
— Erick Silva (@ErickSilvaMMA) October 14, 2018
My wife just brought to my attention: Saad Awad had 8 letters in his name and 4 of them are “A” - 50% of his name is the letter “A”
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) October 14, 2018
Benson Henderson trynna go full backpack mode but Awaad throwing up some serious heat on those upkicks!
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 14, 2018
@BensonHenderson looking pretty dominant in round 2, can he keep it up in rd 3 ?#Bellator208
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) October 14, 2018
@BensonHenderson congratulations nice dominating performance #Bellator208
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) October 14, 2018
He’s the man!! https://t.co/MVLyJEZ2VF
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) October 14, 2018
C R I N G E
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) October 14, 2018
Henderson just tried to poo-poo on #AirKhabib. No one poo-poo’s in #Khabib! ☝ #NumbaOneBullshit #Bellator208
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 14, 2018
CHEICK KONGO DEF. TIMOTHY JOHNSON
Let’s go @kongo4real
— michael (@bisping) October 14, 2018
The Darkness is coming @kongo4real #Bellator208 #thedarkness
— Linton Vassell (@LDV_TheSwarm) October 14, 2018
Sweet
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) October 14, 2018
Luta rápida pro Kongo @BellatorMMA @FoxSportsBrasil
— Erick Silva (@ErickSilvaMMA) October 14, 2018
"No juice, no drugs" @kongo4real #Respect
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) October 14, 2018
That was a quick fight. But does @kongo4real drink champagne? #Bellator208
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) October 14, 2018
--- 7 --- #Bellator208 pic.twitter.com/MSlXsX4I6a
— Cheick Kongo (@kongo4real) October 14, 2018
Get the latest gear
