SAITAMA, JAPAN – Fedor Emelianenko became the first since 2005 to stop Quinton Jackson with strikes on Saturday when he picked up an opening-round finish in the Bellator 237 main event.
Then, he retired from MMA.
Emelianenko’s (38-6 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) speed advantage far exceeded anything a heavy, slow-moving Jackson (38-14 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) was prepared for as he put together smooth striking combinations before landing a fight-ending haymaker that dropped “Rampage” face-first into the canvas inside three minutes.
The heavyweight bout headlined Bellator 237, which took place at Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The card aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN.
Emelianenko came out of the gate strong with pressure on Jackson and some multi-strike combinations. The speed advantage from Emelianenko was evident, and Jackson had a difficult time making up for it. After landing strike after strike, Emelianenko finally found a home for the shot that end of the fight. He crushed Jackson with a powerful shot that sent the UFC champ to his knees, causing the referee to step in and wave off the fight at the 2:33 mark of Round 1.
Although Bellator president Scott Coker said pre-fight he intended to do a three-fight retirement tour for Emelianenko, starting with Bellator 237. Emelianenko appears to have had other plans, though, because he said the win over Jackson would be the last of his career.
“Perhaps my career stops here in Japan where I started,” Emelianenko said through an interpreter during his post-fight interview. “Thank you for supporting me in my career. This is the end of my tour.”
Complete Bellator 237 results included:
Fedor Emelianenko def. Quinton Jackson via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:33
Michael Chandler def. Sidney Outlaw via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:59
Michael Page def. Shinsho Anzai via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 0:23
Lorenz Larkin def. Keita Nakamura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Kana Watanabe def. Ilara Joanne via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:39
Goiti Yamauchi def. Daron Cruickshank via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:11
Bellator 237 results: Fedor Emelianenko KOs 'Rampage' Jackson, hints at retirement