Retired UFC heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira explained why he considered Fedor Emelianenko to be the biggest challenge of his professional career.
Prior to March 16, 2003, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was considered the greatest heavyweight fighter in MMA. At the time, Nogueira was the Pride heavyweight champion and riding a 13-fight win streak that extended back to start of the new millennium.
That would all come to a screeching halt when the Brazilian came up against stoic Russian Fedor Emelianenko.
The two fought in a historic trilogy that saw the dawning of new era in heavyweight history, as well as the passing of the guard from submission fighting to a more well rounded approach to the sport.