Watch Fedor make first PRIDE heavyweight title defense in Nogueira trilogy bout

Fedor Emelianenko is an MMA legend, and he largely built his empire during the PRIDE FC days.

At PRIDE Shockwave in December 2004, “The Last Emperor” defended his heavyweight belt for the first time in a trilogy bout with fellow veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

The two had fought twice before. The first time, Emelianenko walked away with a decision win and the PRIDE heavyweight belt. Their second bout ended in a no contest due to an accidental headbutt.

The trilogy bout was a chess match between the two technicians. It went the distance and Emelianenko managed to get the nod from the judges in Saitama, Japan.

Relive the trilogy between the two legends in the video above.