Jon Jones gushed over meeting the legendary Fedor Emelianenko during the PFL vs. Bellator event in Saudi Arabia last weekend.
Jon Jones is arguably the greatest fighter in the history of the UFC. But when Bones bumped into Fedor Emelianenko at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, he was reduced to a mere fanboy while meeting the GOAT of MMA.
“I love you Fedor. You’re one of my favourites, always, forever. You and Alexander. Tell your brother I said hello”
Jon Jones
Although the meeting between the two legends was historic, it turned a little awkward when Jones mentioned Fedor’s brother Alexander. While The Last Emperor didn’t react, it’s well known that he and Alexander aren’t exactly on good terms.
The Emelianenko brothers are estranged and have not spoken in over a decade because of the latter’s criminal history. Three years ago, Fedor admitted that his relationship with his brother fell apart a long time ago.
“The rift happened a long time ago,” Fedor admitted. “The only person who could say the opposite point of view to Alexander in his eyes was me. It was a kind of conscience he had. He would make a mistake and I would say to him, ‘Sash, how could it be?'”
“I and Denis were the only ones who could say something to his eyes. His conscience wouldn’t let him open his mouth in our direction. He sat and listened with a dejected look. He got tired of it and broke off the relationship.”
But Fedor shrugged off Jones’ comments and even asked to take a photo with him. UFC legend Randy Couture even joined them in an image that is overflowing with greatness.
Fedor is considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. The 47-year-old Russian fighter was the PRIDE heavyweight champion from 2003 to 2007. A four-time world combat sambo champion, Emelianenko also competed for RINGS, Strikeforce, M-1 Global, Rizin, and most recently Bellator.
He is considered the greatest fighter never to have fought under the UFC banner, with UFC President Dana White always regretting that he never pursued a match between Fedor and Brock Lesnar when the Beast Incarnate was UFC heavyweight champion.
Meanwhile, Jon Jones is the current UFC heavyweight champion and former two-time light heavyweight champion. Bones was the youngest fighter to ever win a UFC title and became the 8th fighter to win two belts in the UFC when he sensationally submitted Cyril Gane at UFC 285.