The heavyweight fights always attract a lot of attention, especially when it’s a fight between two giants with huge experience in organizations like Pride, K-1 and Shooto and their combined professional record has 37 victories over high-level opponents.

After sensational defeat against Magomed Malikov Alexander Emelianenko did everything to come back as soon as possible and get back on winning track. His next opponent was supposed to be Kenny Garner, but American fighter got injured, so Tadas “Lithuanian Bear” Rimkevicius took Garner’s place. This fight was held at M-1 Challenge 31 event on March 16, 2012 in St.-Petersburg.

Tadas launched his MMA career in Lithuanian events of Shooto and K-1 HERO’S, won in 10 fights in a row and got an invitation to British event Cage Warriors. After that he fought at many events, so he entered the fight with Emelianenko having 25 pro fights in his resume, Tadas was victorious in 19 of them.

Rimkevicius fought against Antonio Silva, Kotya Gluhov and Gary Goodridge, so he wasn’t afraid of Alexander at all. Instead, he considered this fight as the next step towards the top of MMA world.