Today, January 24, the world's premier mixed martial arts fighter Fedor Emelianenko squares off against Belarus’ rock-hard colossus Andrei Arlovski in a heavily publicized bout in Anaheim, CA. Emelianenko comes into the event, aptly titled “Day Of Reckoning,” with a 29-1 record.

Both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times ran stories this week detailing Emelianenko’s unassuming and unflappable demeanor, his quiet life 300 miles south of Moscow, his humble background, and his mysterious, secluded training routine. Here's the weird thing: for all of Emelianenko’s numbers and worldwide renown, and Russia's unquenchable need for pop-culture relevance in the West, the bruiser gets surprisingly little notice in his motherland, from the people or the press. No long-form magazine profiles, no endorsement deals. Hm. Well, this may change if Valdimir Putin, famously a black belt in judo and an Emelianenko follower, name-drops him a couple of times. In the meantime, we'll be rooting for our boy against the Minsk Monstrosity.

Fedor Emelianenko Has Intimidating Style [LA Times]
A Russian Warrior Who Doesn’t Battle for Acclaim [NY Times]

Photo courtesy of The New York Times