Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to Fedor Emelianenko’s win over Fabio Maldonado

Friday afternoon in Russia, MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko fought former UFC light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado in the main event of EFN 50. After being dropped in the first round, Emelianenko went on to win the next two rounds, and ultimately win a majority decision.

While some thought that the judges made the right call given that Emelianenko won the last two rounds, others thought that the decision as extremely controversial, and Emelianenko should have lost given that he was dominated the first round.

Following the fight, top ranked UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov took to Instagram to reflect on the bout, which he witnessed live.

First time I saw Fedor's fight live in 2004, at Combat Sambo Dagestan championship (yes, he participated in that). He wasn't that famous at that moment, but I knew him, and was watching his fight whole day. That day he won, took first place and after since he was First for me, no matter lose or win. Today I've witnessed his MMA fight in live for the first time. And I'm impressed by his courage, heart and unbreakable spirit. Yes, years take their tolls, but they can't take away your courage. Первый раз я в живую смотрел Фёдора бои 2004 году на открытом чемпионате Дагестана по боевому самбо в Махачкале, ( да он участвовал у нас на Дагестане ) тогда его почти ни кто не знал, но я знал его и целый день был рядом и смотрел на него, тогда он стал первым и после этого для меня он был всегда первым, даже когда он проигрывал. Сегодня в первые я видел его ММА бой в живую, и скажу вам я впечатлён насколько он показал мужество в этом бою, года берут своё, но года не забирают мужество. #ФедорЛучший

A photo posted by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Jun 17, 2016 at 4:38pm PDT