Sherdog's Top 10: Fedor Emelianenko Moments

8. Smashing Heath Herring at Pride 23

It was Emelianenko’s first real breakout performance. Despite being the Rings champion, the Russian was largely unheralded when he debuted in the premier Japanese promotion at Pride 21 in 2002 against Semmy Schilt. Fedor utterly dominated the fight despite being a small underdog, repeatedly taking the 6-foot-11 future kickboxing legend down and smashing him with fists. However, this was dismissed as Schilt having weak takedown defense, which was certainly true. Next, Fedor faced a true test in Herring. It's hard to recall now, but Herring was easily a top 10 heavyweight of that period, possibly even in the top 5. He had won three of his last four, with the only defeat a decision verdict against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the Pride heavyweight championship. Two of his wins were especially impressive: knocking out Mark Kerr with knees at a time when Kerr was still a feared name and soundly defeating a prime Igor Vovchanchyn. Unlike Schilt, Herring was a good grappler, with a solid wrestling and judo base. Herring came into the fight a modest favorite, but no one was prepared for what happened. Fedor hammered Herring on the feet with his fists and continually won the grappling exchanges. Once on top, he unleashed his now legendary ground-and-pound, swinging his entire body into punches that were as blisteringly fast as they were destructive. Commentators Stephen Quadros and Bas Rutten couldn't believe their eyes at how badly this still little-known Russian was beating an elite heavyweight contender. At the end of the 10-minute first round, the doctor stopped the contest due to the damage Herring had sustained, and Fedor had become a star.

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