By Chris Williams: Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (29-1, 7 KO’s) proved that he’s the best heavyweight in all of MMA by knocking out Andrei Arlovski in a 1st round KO last night at the Honda Center. It wasn’t easy, though, as Emelianenko struggled in the opening two minutes of the round and took a number of right hands from the taller 6’4″ Arlovski. It was clear, at least in the opening moments of the fight, that Arlovski, 29, had the better stand up skills than the 32-year old Emelianenko.
Unfortunately, that didn’t equate to having as good of a chin. After backing Emelianenko into the corner two minutes into the fight, Arlovski seemed to get a little too ambitious with his game plan and tried to land a flying knee. Just when he was jumping up to knee Emelianenko, Fedor launched a big right hand that clipped Arlovski on the chin, knocking him unconscious instantly and sending him crashing to the canvas flat on his face.
He laid there for several moments not moving while Emelianenko stood over him looking for signs of movement and ready to finish him off with punches. However, Arlovski didn’t stir and was out cold. Referee Big John McCarthy then stepped in and stopped the bout.
Emelianenko, who is considered by most to be far and away the best heavyweight in the division, looked small compared to the 6’4” 237 pound Arlovski as the fight started. Only 6’0” 230 pounds, Emelianenko looked like he belonged a division below the towering giant like Arlovski.
As the fight started, Arlovski immediately landed a left front kick to Emelianenko’s shin. Arlovski followed with a long right hand after Emelianenko missed with a right of his own. Another left shin kick and a right hand was then added by Arlovski. Emelianenko tried to land another right hand, tucking his head down and wildly throwing the punch and missing badly due to his poor form.
Arlovski then added another left shin kick. Following that, Emelianenko tried to respond with a couple of right hands but both missed short of the target. As Emelianenko was coming in, Arlovski straightened him up with a right uppercut to the head. At this point, Emelianenko looked out of his class and on his way to losing the fight. He then charged forward and grabbed Arlovski in a clinch, pushing him up against the fence.
The two stood there in a stalemate, both exchanging occasional knees but not doing much damage to each other. After a period of time, referee Big John McCarthy stepped in and separated the two fighters and put them back at center ring.
Once in the center of the ring, Arlovski once again began capitalizing on his better stand up fighting ability, landing a left kick to the shin of Emelianenko. He then launched a perfect right hand that glanced off the chin of Emelianenko. Arlovski landed two more right hands, one to the head and another to the chest, before landing a left front kick that drove Emelianenko back to the corner.
Once he had him there, Arlovski landed a hard right hand to the jaw of Emelianenko, knocking him off balance due to the strength of the shot. However, just when he had Emelianenko where he wanted, Arlovski jumped up in the air and threw a leaping knee, which Emelianenko timed perfectly and came over the top with a big right hand that connected to the jaw of Arlovski and sending him down to the canvas.
Arlovski was out the instant the punch landed and fell face first on the canvas with both hands down by his sides and blood coming out of his mouth. The bout was then immediately stopped by the referee Big John McCarthy.
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