Fedor Emelianenko failed to achieve the fairytale end to his career on Saturday when he lost his title rematch to Ryan Bader in the Bellator 290 headliner.
Emelianenko (40-7 MMA, 4-3 BMMA), the legendary former PRIDE champion, came up short in his bid to claim heavyweight gold in his retirement fight when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Bader (31-7 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) at Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. “The Last Emperor” closes his career on a low, but it takes nothing away from his career achievements.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Emelianenko’s loss to Bader at Bellator 290
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MMA Junkie
It's time for the main event, and one last ride for a legend.
Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko for the heavyweight title is up next at #Bellator290 🏆
Live results: https://t.co/ZKiyBT0iQa pic.twitter.com/523guP4VWJ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 5, 2023
MMA Junkie
Fedor enters the cage one last time.#Bellator290 | Live results: https://t.co/n3DPN0OQYc pic.twitter.com/NMqUarTbF4
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 5, 2023
Bellator
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 begins NOW! 👏
📺 #Bellator290 | 𝑪𝑩𝑺 & 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕+ | LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/oPx3NvQZYc
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 5, 2023
Jed I Goodman
Here. We. Go.#Bellator290 pic.twitter.com/TD0TH9aljm
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 5, 2023
Esther Lin
Not even half the legends here in the building but it's a lot of 'em! #bellator290 for @MMAFighting pic.twitter.com/dVNhVrfjxV
— esther lin (@allelbows) February 5, 2023
Derek Brunson
If Fedor wins here tonight . Would y’all watch Fedor vs Francis N'Gannou 🤔🤔🤔
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 5, 2023
Kevin Iole
Right by Bader drops Fedor
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) February 5, 2023
Bloody Elbow
Bader with a left hook and a couple rights. Lands uppercut and a right behind the ear off a clinch. Fedor goes down. Bader on top dropping shots. #Bellator290
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) February 5, 2023
Greg Beacham
Fedor Emelianenko loses to Ryan Bader in the first round of what he says is his final fight. Fedor got knocked down by a punch on the back of the head, and he couldn't effectively defend from Bader's strikes on the ground. Rough way to go out #Bellator290
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) February 5, 2023
Alan Jouban
Damn… 😞
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 5, 2023
Caposa
This stupid “sport” god dammit
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 5, 2023
Bellator
#AndStill | @RyanBader leaves no doubt tonight LIVE on @CBS and @ParamountPlus as he retains his heavyweight title. pic.twitter.com/xyifTJeuDQ
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 5, 2023
MMA Junkie
#Bellator290 results: Ryan Bader (@RyanBader) def. Fedor Emelianenko via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:30 – to defend heavyweight title
Live results: https://t.co/n3DPN0OQYc pic.twitter.com/5QMvFIb7QE
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 5, 2023
Bellator
Legends never die, no matter what ❤️
What an incredible career Fedor has had.
📺 #Bellator290 | 𝑪𝑩𝑺 & 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕+ | LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/oyPhFcAoph
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 5, 2023
Showtime Sports
Ryan Bader makes history becoming the only man to defeat Fedor twice!
Tune in to @CBS and @paramountplus NOW. #Bellator290 #Bellator #MMA @BellatorMMA @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/GRX1QqsKrk
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) February 5, 2023
Bellator
Nothing but respect from @RyanBader!
📺 #Bellator290 | 𝑪𝑩𝑺 & 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕+ | LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/eFP7mck20I
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 5, 2023
Scott Coker
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) February 5, 2023
MMA Junkie
Fedor Emelianenko said farewell to fighting after falling short in his retirement bout. 🙏
Full story: https://t.co/LEGJJsZ8Dj pic.twitter.com/flxXt24L4j
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 5, 2023
MMA Junkie
Fedor Emelianenko exits the cage for the last time at #Bellator290. What's you favorite career moment?
Full story: https://t.co/LEGJJsZ8Dj pic.twitter.com/cfABWJAi8Y
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 5, 2023
Out of Context MMA
Every MMA retirement fight literally ends like this: pic.twitter.com/z6qjAJg81z
— Out Of Context MMA (@oocmma) February 5, 2023
Terrance McKinney
Another legend down fedor you was a dawg thank you 🙏
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 5, 2023
MMA Junkie
Legend-2-Legend: @CrisCyborg joined the #Bellator290 media section to praise Fedor at his retirement press conference. ❤️
Read more: https://t.co/LEGJJsZ8Dj pic.twitter.com/mK5MOEIhTV
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 5, 2023
