The second semi-final of the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix took place tonight at as former PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko squared off with former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen.
Chael Sonnen entered tonight’s Bellator 208 event having won two fights in a row, his latest being a unanimous decision victory over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at January’s Bellator 192 event.
As for the former PRIDE champion and MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko, “The Last Emperor” advanced to tonight’s semi-final round by defeating Frank Mir via first-round TKO at Bellator 198.
Although tonight’s Chael Sonnen vs. Fedor Emelianenko fight only ended up lasting a few minutes, it did not lack entertainment.
Fedor was able to hurt Chael with a big punch just moments into the opening round. However, Sonnen was recovered and eventually got Emelianenko to the ground where he landed some short shots to the body of the Russian legend.
Unfortunately for Sonnen fans, Fedor Emelianenko would eventually get back to his feet where he once again was able to drop Chael with punches. From there, “The Last Emperor” unleashed some brutal ground and pound which forced the referee to step in and call a stop to the action.
Check out how the pros reacted to Fedor Emelianenko’s first-round stoppage victory over Chael Sonnen at Bellator 208 below:
Ladies and gentlemen @ChaelSonnen is fIghting … God bless America !!!
advertisement – continue reading below— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) October 14, 2018
Let’s go @ChaelSonnen !!!!
— Funky (@Benaskren) October 13, 2018
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https://twitter.com/50cent/status/1051311783452004353
https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1051323532096000001
No doubt in my mind that @ryanbader wins this tournament. I love Fedor, but he gets taken down by Bader and he doesn’t get up. And he can’t get tired and be so reckless. Gonna be fun to watch.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 14, 2018
Balls and class from @ChaelSonnen
— michael (@bisping) October 14, 2018
Not sure what is @CalvinKlein waiting for ?!
I would sponsor the shit out of Fedor!
I mean look at this specimen! pic.twitter.com/ClNbHOtR3U— Olivier Aubin (@oliaubin) October 13, 2018
With tonight’s impressive first-round stoppage victory over Chael Sonnen, Fedor Emelianenko now advances to the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix final where he will meet current promotional light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader.
Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader squared off shortly after the Russians victory over “The American Gangster”.
Bader vs. Fedor#Bellator pic.twitter.com/7uyRqZgQ1P
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) October 14, 2018
Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader will fight for the Bellator Heavyweight Championship on January 26 in Inglewood, California.
Who are you picking to win when “Darth Bader” and “The Last Emperor” square off in January?