Maybe it’s just me, but upon meeting the great Fedor Emelianenko face to face, it struck me that he resembled a certain animated character who likes to “hunt wabbits” and carry a shotgun.

The roundish Russian legend may resemble Elmer Fudd outside of the ring, but inside the ropes he’s amassed a fearsome reputation that continues to grow. On Saturday, July 19 he tests his prowess against former UFC champion Tim Sylvia (24-4) at the Honda Center in Anaheim. The fight will air on pay-per-view.

There are no silly rabbits to spoil this party. Emelianenko is one of the main attractions on a strong fight card that features several prominent mixed martial arts fighters.

“I think it’s one of the greatest cards in MMA history,” said Emelianenko (28-1) during a press conference. “I’d like to thank Affliction and M-1 Global for giving me the opportunity to be here.”

He’s not the only one thankful.

Sylvia was nearly busting at the seams once that contract was signed and delivered.

“I was excited man. I wanted this fight for a long time,” said Sylvia, who departed from Ultimate Fighting Championship after competing in that organization for several years. “I knew my future was going to happen.”

Long considered the best MMA fighter in the world by many experts, Emelianenko spent more than 10 years building a fearsome reputation in Asia and his native Russia by decimating the competition.

He is a juggernaut and just as dependable as a T-34 Russian tank.

An expert in the fighting style called combat Sambo, Emelianenko has developed a scary reputation with his ability to fight standing up or on the ground. Since he began fighting in 2000, the Russian has lost only once in his career, but the lone blemish on his record is discounted by most; he lost to Tsuyoshi Kohsaka due to cuts.

No one else has been able to crack the Russian fighter’s near-invincibility.

Fighters like Gary Goodridge, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Kevin Randleman, and Kazuyuki Fujita had their moments against the Russian stalwart. One – Fujita – even had Emelianenko wobbly from a punch. But once he escapes, he retaliates with such a force that opponents seem to sense he’s willing to kill them to win.

Opponents tap out immediately from arm bars, rear naked chokes and other submissions with instantaneous effect, almost as if they recognize Emelianenko wants to tear their limbs off, not just beat them.

Fedor is one scary fighter.

Sitting among a crowd of American fight fans and alongside a group of other MMA fighters, the Russian looks more like a fan himself instead of the warrior who has been proclaimed the best MMA fighter ever by some publications.

For nine years, Emelianenko has proved his fighting skills to Russian and Asian fans of MMA. He wants more.

“I realize to be popular in the entire world I have to appear in the United States,” says Emelianenko, who is not shy about world domination. “Asia I’ve already taken care of. Now we have to take care of the fans over here.”

Has anybody told Sylvia?

The huge giant of a man Sylvia recently lost to Nogueira, but realizes the losses and disappointments can all be absolved quickly with a win over the Russian legend.

“I’m going to show why I’m one of the best in the world,” said Sylvia, who is often booed by fans who prefer that the big MMA fighter dispense with tactics or defense. “I’m going to be the one to give him a loss.”

Hearing Sylvia predict a win doesn’t phase Emelianenko one bit.

“I know him very well and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him (Tim Sylvia), Emelianenko said very calmly.

Standing side by side, the obvious size advantage enjoyed by Sylvia doesn’t prompt the American to rub his hand with glee. He knows what Fedor can do.

“He’s fought some of the guys I’ve looked up to and he’s destroyed them all,” Sylvia says. “I think if anyone watches the sport they know what I do, I sprawl and brawl.”

Fedor knows it, too.

“I know he has a very hard punch,” Emelianenko said of Sylvia. “He’s strong and very talented.”

That’s Russian code for “I will break him.”

After years of wondering who rules MMA as the best fighter, the world may have an answer, and he’s no Elmer Fudd.

Show stealer
One bout flying underneath the radar could be another heavyweight fight that pits former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski against former International Fight League champion Ben Rothwell (29-5).

“That could be the best fight of the night,” said Don Leonard, a fight reporter for a Southern California MMA magazine. “Not a lot of people know Rothwell, but he’s a great fighter.”

Who's the best?
Brazil’s Anderson Silva who is UFC’s candidate for best fighter pound for pound, goes head to head with Emelianenko when he fights on the same day against James Irvin (14-4-1) at the Palm Casino in Las Vegas. It will be televised on Spike TV.

Silva (22-4) said he was surprised when asked to fight but eagerly accepted to move up in weight and compete against Irvin, who most recently defeated Houston Alexander.

For those wishing to compare the two most mentioned candidates for the best MMA fighter in the world, Saturday night will be the day to record both fights and decide for yourself: Emelianenko or Silva?

MORE FROM MMA

MMA Section Front

Liddell's shadow looms large for Evans Lesnar-Couture the right call for UFC Couture and UFC bury hatchet, sign new deal Photos from the career of Randy Couture   Wanderlei Silva awaits next battle 'Hitman' sets his target on Marquardt Jackson pleads not guilty to multiple charges Champ Southworth injured; Babalu to face Ruiz Kimbo Slice's next opponent: Ken Shamrock   Iceman coming for Evans MMA Section Front   Add MMA headlines to your news reader: