http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2012/12/e ... ko-retires
Aleksander Emelianenko (21-6), an eight-tine PRIDE veteran and the younger brother of former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, is done with MMA.
The 31-year-old recently announced via Facebook his decision to retire.
"I want to thank you for your support, for having supported me in spite of all that they say about me," Emelianenko wrote in his native Russian. "Unfortunately, I will not be able to perform in the ring because of health problems caused by old injuries."
Emelianenko made his professional debut in 2003 with a split-decision win over Assuerio Silva. He would go on to post eight wins in his first nine career fights, and three sub-60-second knockouts coupled with an intimidating assortment of tattoos made him a popular figure. Those tattoos would go on to be a source of controversy as he allegedly collected several of them during a stint in prison, though he often denied he spent any time in jail.
Despite his success in Russia and Japan, Emelianenko never fought in the U.S. He was scheduled to fight Paul Buentello at 2008's "Affliction: Banned" event but was pulled from the card at the last moment when California State Athletic Commission officials announced that he was unable to meet their licensing standards.
"Emelianenko never fought in the U.S." - I thought was because Hepatitis?
