UFC 6 winner Oleg Taktarov told Telecomasia.net in an exclusive interview that Fedor Emelianenko would remain a dominant force in today’s conditions, responding to top heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich’s remark that modern fighters are stronger than fighters of the past.
“We will never know which generation was better. But comparing champions of the past with today’s fighters is like comparing Maradona to Messi. You know, right now there aren’t many big Russian stars you want to follow. It will be interesting to watch Pavlovich. Maybe in five or six years he will turn into another Alexander Emelianenko. You must respect those who paved the way for you,” Taktarov said.
My coaches were Nikolay Baranov and Alexandr Fedorov. As long as I remember, I have always thought of them higher than of myself. Fedor Emelianenko in today’s conditions would be the same dominator. He had an amazing ground game and excellent striking. In today’s circumstances he would be an undisputed champion without rivals.
Earlier Sergei Pavlovich stated that fighters of the old generation would not be competitive in the modern UFC. Fedor Emelianenko was Pride FC heavyweight champion from 2003 to 2007. Pavlovich is currently third in the heavyweight rankings. At UFC Fight Night 257 on August 23 in Shanghai he beat Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision.
