Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey recently weighed in on the ongoing debate about the greatest MMA fighter of all time (GOAT). This discussion has long captivated MMA fans, who often mention fighters like Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Demetrious Johnson among contenders for the title. Even UFC CEO Dana White has expressed his opinion, labeling Jon Jones as the greatest fighter ever.
In a recent interview with TalkSport MMA as part of her press tour for her new book, Rousey shared her perspective on the matter. While she has previously asserted herself as the GOAT of women’s MMA, she acknowledged another fighter for the overall title. Rousey singled out Fedor Emelianenko, the retired Russian heavyweight legend, as her pick for the greatest fighter in MMA history.
Emelianenko, known as ‘The Last Emperor,’ retired from fighting last year after an illustrious career outside the UFC. Despite never competing in the UFC, he amassed victories over multiple former champions, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Frank Mir, and Mark Coleman. Rousey cited Emelianenko’s sambo background and highlighted his memorable 2005 bout against Mirko Cro Cop as reasons for her admiration.
During the interview, Rousey humorously responded to the question of who she believes is the greatest fighter of all time, jokingly suggesting herself before praising Emelianenko. She emphasized his well-rounded skill set and his connection to judo, which resonates with her as a judo enthusiast. Rousey even declared Emelianenko’s fight against Cro Cop as her personal favorite in MMA history.
Despite her admiration for Emelianenko, Rousey admitted that she doesn’t view him as flawless. When asked about a hypothetical matchup between Emelianenko and Jon Jones, she expressed confidence in Jones’s abilities, suggesting he could win effortlessly even without rigorous training. This perspective underscores the respect Rousey holds for both Emelianenko and Jones within the realm of MMA greatness.
