Fedor Emilianenko: Alexander is dead to me

Fedor Emilianenko has disowned his brother Alexander Emilianenko. The four-time combat sambo world champion and former PRIDE FC heavyweight champion said in an interview with Yaroslav Stepanov: “For me, today, Alexander is dead. He is disappearing. But I pray that he will come to life and be found.”

Relations between the brothers has long been tense. Alexander, himself a three-time combat sambo world champion (as well as the former ProFC heavyweight champion), has long been embroiled in legal issues. He was accused of assaulting and raping his former housekeeper in 2014, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was eventually found guilty and sentenced to four and a half years in prison, but was released on parole in 2016.

There have also been speculation that Alexander has connections with the Russian criminal underworld or with ultra-nationalist political groups, based on his tattoos. However, opinions on this matter vary and there are some doubts as to whether these tattoos truly have any significance. Alexander himself claims he only enjoys getting tattoos as a hobby.

When asked if he would ever re-establish ties with his brother, Fedor said: “Let him first apologize to those whom he raped, insulted, offended, and cheated on money,” adding: “May God grant that he is reasoned ... Not that he necessarily read the scriptures, but to understand what he is doing. He calls other people animals, but most importantly he must fight the animal within himself. Then you will see people around you.”