Breakdown: Fedor vs. Arlovski

Experience

Arlovski can look back on 11 years of martial arts training, including sambo, kickboxing and, most recently, western boxing under superstar trainer Freddie Roach. After competing in sambo for only two years, the “Pitbull” made the jump straight to MMA, where he has fought 19 times. After his first three bouts took place inside Russia’s M-1 promotion, he left for the United States and competed in the UFC from November 2000 until March 2008.

He has fought two current or former world champions, winning just one of his four fights against them. Arlovski won the M-1 European championship in 2000 and the UFC heavyweight championship, which he held for 14 months, in February 2005. During his stint with the UFC, he was in the main event or co-main event seven times.

Emelianenko has trained in various martial arts since he was 10 years old. While his roots are in sambo and judo, he has also done extensive muay Thai work with Ernesto Hoost and Lucien Carbin in Holland. Fedor was a multiple-time Russian and European sambo champion before he made the transition to MMA. With the exception of two fights in his homeland and another in Lithuania, he fought exclusively in Japan from 2000 to 2005.

The stoic Russian has tested himself against 10 current or former world champions, winning 11 of his 13 fights (with one loss and one no contest) against them. He won the Rings heavyweight championship in 2001 and, two years later, captured the Pride heavyweight belt, then considered the most prestigious title in the world. He held the crown from 2003 until Pride’s demise in 2007. Emelianenko also won the Pride heavyweight grand prix in 2004.

During his time in Japan, he headlined or co-headlined a total of 16 events, including a dozen for Pride. His in-ring performances and title reigns made him the top foreign fighter, or “gaijin,” in the Land of the Rising Sun in 2003, 2004 and 2007.

Arlovski: 3 / 5
Emelianenko: 4.5 / 5

Intangibles

Historically, Arlovski has done well against strong wrestlers because of his ability to stuff takedowns and keep fights standing. He has managed wins over compatriot Vladimir Matyushenko, a three-time Soviet national champion in freestyle wrestling, Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling world champion Fabricio Werdum and Jake O'Brien -- a three-time state wrestling champion in high school.

“The Pitbull” has also fought all but four of his fights in North America. When Affliction returns to Anaheim, Calif., in January, Arlovski will know his way around and will be used to the climate, having fought at the Honda Center before.

Emelianenko, meanwhile, has been particularly sharp against kickboxers throughout his career. Reigning K-1 kingpin Semmy Schilt was no match for “The Last Emperor” and neither were Gary Goodridge, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Mark Hunt or Hong Man Choi, all of whom have won K-1 World Grand Prix tournaments in the past. Schilt and Filipovic both took a 20-minute beating from Fedor, while Goodridge, Hunt and Choi were finished inside one round.

Emelianenko has competed exclusively in a ring throughout his nine-year MMA career. Since Affliction’s second show will again use the ring, he will have a distinct advantage over Arlovski, whose first appearance for Affliction was also his first between the ropes. No cage means Fedor will not face the threat of being pinned against the fence and also diminishes the potential for elbow strikes that could cut him, which seems to be the only realistic route to victory against him.

Arlovski: 4 / 5
Emelianenko: 4 / 5

Conclusion

Emelianenko is the favorite to win this fight, as he would be for any bout. Arlovski does possess the puncher’s chance, and it will be interesting to see how he deals with Fedor’s aggression. Another facet of Arlovski’s game fight fans have not had much chance to see is his work from the guard. Does he have the mat skills to avoid Fedor’s vicious ground-and-pound? Might he land a couple of potential fight-ending elbow strikes from the bottom?

Emelianenko will carry a nine-fight winning streak and an unbelievable 27-match unbeaten streak into his five-round showdown with Arlovski. Fedor also passes this analysis with flying colors. Total ratings for both fighters:

Arlovski: 3.5 / 5
Emelianenko: 4 / 5