Bellator 238 free fight: Fedor Emelianenko turns back the clock against Chael Sonnen

It’s well-known by now: Fedor Emelianenko is a legend of the sport.

While he’d suffered a handful of losses since his heyday, the Russian heavyweight proved he still had more mileage left in the tank at Bellator 208 in October 2018.

At Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, New York, Emelianenko turned back the clock when he took on three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen.

The fight saw an aggressive Emelianenko tag Sonnen with big punches on the feet. Midway through the first round, Sonnen scored a takedown. Upon Sonnen’s entry into mount, Emelianenko reversed position.

When the fight rose back to the feet, Emelianenko tossed Sonnen to the canvas. From there, Emelianenko produced an onslaught of ground-and-pound. Referee Dan Miragliotta waved off the fight with 14 seconds left in the first frame.

With the victory, Emelianenko advanced to the Bellator heavyweight grand prix final.. He took on light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader, but lost by first-round TKO.

On December 29, Emelianenko (38-6 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) returns to action when he takes on Quinton Jackson (38-13 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) in the main event of Bellator 238.

The event takes place at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main card will air on Paramount Network after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Ahead of Bellator 238, relive Fedor Emelianenko’s finishof  Chael Sonnen in the video above.