Sherdog's Top 10: Fedor Emelianenko Moments

6. Destroying Tim Sylvia at Affliction 1

While Emelianenko was largely considered the best heavyweight on the planet during his time in Pride, it wasn't unanimous. Many felt that the UFC champion at a given time could beat him. This is not only due to a bias for canvases with the UFC logo, but a genuine belief that the 6-foot, 233-pound Emelianenko couldn't contend with some of the larger men in the UFC. In particular, I remember many people believing circa 2005 that Fedor couldn't handle an opponent as huge as the 6-foot-8 Sylvia, who had to cut weight to make the 265-pound heavyweight limit. And these weren't only casuals, but included many highly knowledgeable die-hards who had trained in boxing, BJJ, wrestling, etc. I argued on behalf of Fedor, but even in the back of my own mind, there was that little pinprick of doubt.

Well, in 2008 we finally got our answer to this hypothetical UFC champion vs. Pride champion duel at Affliction 1, and in just 36 thunderous seconds. Turns out Sylvia's size wasn't so difficult to overcome when one is moving almost twice as fast as him. Fedor overwhelmed Sylvia with an endless rain of punches, and once he was badly hurt, locked in a quick rear-naked choke. Quite easily done.

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