Dana White reacts to Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabio Maldonado

Last Friday, MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko stepped into the cage in the main event of EFN 50 in Russia to fight former UFC light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado in his second fight since returning to MMA on New Year’s Eve.

The fight started off extremely bad for Emelianenko, who spent the majority of the first round rocked and attempting to survive as Maldonado landed numerous big punches. ‘The Last Emperor’ managed to win the next two rounds, and ultimately win a majority decision to extend his MMA record to 36-4.

UFC President Dana white spoke recently on ‘UFC Unfiltered’ to discuss the bout, which many believed was a controversial one.

MMAJunkie has the transcription:

“They were going to let him die before they stopped that fight, you know that?” White said. “But a testament to how tough and durable and mentally strong Fedor is, man. He was out. He was out. Literally, when he got back up … when a guy is on crazy legs the way that he was on crazy legs, and it’s not like he was on crazy legs and able to avoid punches after that. He continued to get hit with bombs by Maldonado and he made it through it.

“But I’ll tell you this: Those refs were willing to let him die before they stopped that fight, No. 1. And No. 2, Fedor’s got a chin and he’s a tough guy.”

“We’ve been negotiating for many, many, many years,” White said. “I’ll tell you this: Fight Pass did very well with that fight, so people do still want to watch Fedor.”

While Emelianenko has stated that he is closer than ever to signing with the UFC, do you think we will ever see him in the Octagon?

Video | Conor McGregor

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