Mixed martial arts (MMA) thrives on the debates that fuel its passionate fanbase, and few hypothetical matchups stir the imagination quite like a prime Jon Jones facing off against a prime Fedor Emelianenko.
These two fighters, each a titan in their respective era, represent the pinnacle of what MMA can be—a blend of skill, heart, and unrelenting determination.
While this fight never materialized, envisioning it in vivid detail reveals why it could have been the greatest MMA fight of all time, a collision of styles and legacies that would have left an indelible mark on the sport.
The Fighters at Their Peak
To appreciate the magnitude of this dream matchup, we first need to understand who Jon Jones and Fedor Emelianenko were at the height of their powers. Jon Jones, during his prime from 2011 to 2015, was the UFC light heavyweight champion and a phenomenon unlike any the sport had seen. Standing at 6’4” with an 84.5-inch reach, Jones had a physical edge that he used with devastating effect.
His fighting style was a masterclass in versatility: he could strike with unorthodox precision, using spinning elbows and oblique kicks to keep opponents guessing, while his Greco-Roman wrestling and submission game allowed him to dominate on the ground.
Jones’ fight IQ was off the charts, enabling him to adapt to any situation mid-fight. During this period, he dismantled a who’s-who of MMA legends—Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, and Daniel Cormier—cementing his status as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.
Fedor Emelianenko, in his prime from 2003 to 2007, was the undisputed heavyweight king of PRIDE Fighting Championships, a Japanese organization that was the epicenter of MMA at the time. At 6’0” and around 230 pounds, Fedor didn’t look like the typical heavyweight behemoth, but his unassuming frame belied a ferocious skill set.
A master of sambo, Fedor combined elite grappling with explosive, if unorthodox, striking. His ability to finish fights was unparalleled—whether by knockout, submission, or ground-and-pound, Fedor ended fights decisively.
His record during this stretch was an astonishing 27-0 (with one no-contest), and he defeated the best heavyweights of his era, including Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović, and Mark Coleman. Known as “The Last Emperor,” Fedor’s stoic demeanor and ability to dominate larger opponents made him a legend in the sport.
The Build-Up: A Clash of Eras
Let’s set the scene in an alternate timeline where this fight could have happened—say, 2012, a year when both fighters were at their absolute best. Jon Jones, at 25 years old, is coming off a string of dominant title defenses in the UFC, his confidence at an all-time high. Fedor Emelianenko, at 36, is still in his prime, having just dispatched another top heavyweight in PRIDE.
The MMA world is abuzz as the UFC and PRIDE agree to co-promote a superfight, a rare collaboration between the two biggest organizations in the sport. The fight is set at a catchweight of 220 pounds, allowing Jones to move up slightly from light heavyweight and Fedor to cut down from his usual heavyweight frame, ensuring a fair contest.
The event, dubbed “Legacy of Legends,” is scheduled to take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, a venue synonymous with PRIDE’s glory days. Over 40,000 fans pack the arena, with millions more tuning in globally. The pre-fight hype is unlike anything the sport has seen. Jones, ever the brash showman, uses press conferences to break down Fedor’s game.
“Fedor’s a legend, but I’m the future,” Jones declares, his tone brimming with confidence. “He’s never faced someone with my reach, my wrestling, or my creativity. I’m going to show him what the new era of MMA looks like.” Fedor, as always, is a man of few words. “Jon is a great fighter,” he says through a translator, his face expressionless. “I respect him, but I will fight my way.”
The MMA community is split. Some fans believe Jones’ physical advantages and technical mastery will be too much for Fedor, while others argue that Fedor’s experience, power, and finishing ability will prove decisive. The stage is set for a fight that could define a generation.
Breaking Down the Matchup: Strengths and Styles
The matchup is a fascinating clash of styles, with each fighter bringing unique strengths to the table. Jon Jones’ greatest asset is his reach and striking versatility. His long limbs allow him to control the distance, using jabs, front kicks, and oblique kicks to keep opponents at bay. When he closes the distance, his spinning elbows and knees are devastating.
On the ground, Jones is a master of control, using his wrestling to take opponents down and dominate with ground-and-pound or submissions like guillotines and armbars. His ability to adapt mid-fight is perhaps his greatest weapon—he reads opponents like a book and adjusts his game plan on the fly. However, Jones has shown vulnerability to heavy hitters, as seen in his later fights against Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes, where power punches and leg kicks tested his durability.
Fedor Emelianenko, by contrast, is a master of controlled aggression. His striking may not be textbook, but it’s incredibly effective. Fedor’s looping overhand rights and uppercuts, often thrown with reckless abandon, have knocked out some of the toughest heavyweights in the world. His sambo background gives him a significant edge in grappling, particularly in submissions like armbars and kimuras.
Fedor’s ability to transition seamlessly between striking and grappling makes him unpredictable, and his finishing instinct is second to none. However, his smaller stature compared to most heavyweights means he can be overwhelmed by larger, more physically imposing opponents, as seen in his later losses to fighters like Fabricio Werdum and Dan Henderson.
Round 1: The Opening Salvo
The bell rings, and the Saitama Super Arena erupts as the two legends meet in the center of the ring. Jones immediately establishes his range, circling Fedor and using his jab to keep the Russian at a distance.
Fedor, undeterred, moves forward with his characteristic bobbing-and-weaving motion, his hands low, looking for an opening. Jones lands a sharp low kick to Fedor’s lead leg, a move designed to slow him down, but Fedor absorbs it without flinching. The crowd gasps as Fedor suddenly explodes forward, throwing a wild overhand right that narrowly misses Jones’ chin.
Jones, sensing the danger, clinches and uses his height advantage to press Fedor against the cage. He lands a few short elbows, but Fedor’s sambo instincts take over—he executes a slick hip toss, taking Jones to the mat. The crowd roars as Fedor postures up in Jones’ guard, landing a few heavy punches before Jones scrambles back to his feet.
The round ends with both fighters exchanging strikes in the center of the ring, Jones landing a spinning back kick to Fedor’s body while Fedor counters with a looping left hook that grazes Jones’ temple. It’s a close round, but Fedor’s takedown and aggression might give him the edge on the scorecards.
Round 2: The Tide Turns
Round two begins with Jones looking more cautious, aware of Fedor’s power and grappling prowess. He continues to use his reach, landing a series of jabs that start to redden Fedor’s face. Fedor, however, is relentless, closing the distance and landing a hard uppercut that snaps Jones’ head back.
Jones stumbles momentarily, and Fedor pounces, clinching and dragging Jones to the ground with a double-leg takedown. On the mat, Fedor works to pass Jones’ guard, but Jones’ long limbs make it difficult. Jones manages to get back to his feet, but not before Fedor lands a few more punches to the body.
Back on the feet, Jones finds his rhythm, using his reach to land a vicious spinning elbow that catches Fedor on the forehead, opening a small cut. Fedor wipes the blood away, his expression unchanged, and charges forward with a flurry of punches.
Jones covers up, absorbing the blows, then counters with a perfectly timed knee to Fedor’s midsection as the round ends. This round showcases both fighters’ resilience—Jones’ technical striking gives him an edge, but Fedor’s relentless pressure keeps him in the fight.
Round 3: A Pivotal Moment
By the third round, both fighters are showing signs of fatigue, but their determination is unwavering. Jones, now more confident in his striking, begins to pick Fedor apart with long-range kicks and jabs. Fedor’s face is swelling, and the cut above his eye is bleeding more heavily.
But Fedor, ever the warrior, refuses to back down. He catches one of Jones’ kicks and uses it to close the distance, landing a thunderous overhand right that staggers Jones. The crowd is on its feet as Fedor swarms, throwing a barrage of punches that force Jones to cover up against the cage.
Jones, however, shows why he’s one of the best ever. He weathers the storm, clinches, and executes a trip takedown, landing in Fedor’s guard. From top position, Jones begins to work his ground-and-pound, landing elbows that open a cut on Fedor’s cheek. Fedor tries to sweep, but Jones’ control is too strong.
As the round nears its end, Fedor manages to scramble back to his feet, and the two exchange a flurry of strikes in the final seconds. Jones lands a spinning back fist, but Fedor counters with a left hook that wobbles Jones just as the bell rings. The round is a draw, with both fighters showcasing their best attributes—Jones’ technical mastery and Fedor’s heart and power.
Rounds 4 and 5: The Championship Rounds
As the fight enters the championship rounds, the pace slows, but the intensity remains sky-high. In round four, Jones leans heavily on his wrestling, taking Fedor down multiple times and controlling him on the ground.
Fedor, however, is dangerous off his back, constantly threatening with armbar attempts. Jones avoids the submissions but takes a few hard shots as he postures up. On the feet, Fedor lands a few more heavy punches, but Jones’ reach and movement keep him out of danger for the most part. The round goes to Jones, who controls the majority of the action.
Round five is a fitting climax to this epic battle. Both fighters, battered and bruised, dig deep. Fedor, knowing he might be behind on the scorecards, comes out swinging, landing a massive right hand that rocks Jones. Jones stumbles, and Fedor charges forward, looking for the finish. But Jones, with his incredible fight IQ, clinches and slows the pace, buying himself time to recover.
As the final minute approaches, Jones takes Fedor down one last time, landing a series of elbows that leave Fedor bloodied. Fedor fights to his feet, and the two trade blows in the center of the ring as the crowd roars. The bell rings, and both fighters raise their hands, knowing they’ve left everything in the cage.
Why This Fight Would Be the Greatest
The judges’ decision is a split one—two score it 48-47 for Jones, citing his control and effective striking, while one gives it 48-47 to Fedor for his aggression and damaging punches. The crowd is divided, but the consensus is clear: this fight was an instant classic.
What makes this hypothetical matchup the greatest fight of all time is the perfect storm of factors: two fighters at the peak of their powers, each with a unique skill set that challenges the other in profound ways. Jones’ technical brilliance and physical advantages were pushed to the limit by Fedor’s raw power, grappling acumen, and unbreakable will.
Beyond the action in the cage, the fight would have had a lasting impact on the sport. It would have bridged two eras of MMA—PRIDE’s golden age and the UFC’s modern dominance—showing how the old guard could still compete with the new.
The mutual respect between Jones and Fedor, evident in their post-fight embrace, would have been a testament to the spirit of martial arts. Fans would still be debating the outcome decades later, with highlight reels of Fedor’s flurries and Jones’ elbows becoming the stuff of legend.
Legacy and Reflection
In the aftermath, both fighters’ legacies would be enhanced. Jones would solidify his claim as the greatest light heavyweight ever, having faced and defeated a heavyweight legend. Fedor, even in a loss, would prove that his prime self could hang with the best of any era. The fight would also spark endless “what-ifs”—what if Fedor had landed one more big punch?
What if Jones had secured a submission?
This hypothetical clash between Jon Jones and Fedor Emelianenko in their primes would have been more than a fight; it would have been a defining moment in MMA history, a battle that showcased the very best of what the sport has to offer.
For these reasons, it could have been the greatest fight of all time.
Ultimately, it is only a fight that we can imagine of course.
In reality, today, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is considered by many to be the best fighter that ever lived and walked the face of this Earth.
In any time from any combat sport, UFC or boxing, karate or anything else.
Jones is a very dangerous man, no doubt about it.
