Sonnen: Emelianenko fights in Pride were fake

American veteran of mixed martial arts Chael Sonnen questioned the merits of the Russian Fedor Emelianenko, hinting that his fights in Japan were fake.

"The Pride fights were fake. I was the first who started talking about it openly. Not just as these guys stuffed a record 22-0 in Japan, and then in America could not win a single fight. They had a referee working with an earpiece, everything was bought there. I do not believe in any outcome of the battle in Japan.

"Emelianenko has an innate power in his hands, for example, I was born without such strength. Take a look at his training. He does things that coaches would not teach, but despite this, he remains a special fighter. I need to come up with a plan for a duel. Fedor has always been a speedy fighter, and I will try to deprive him of this advantage. Previous rivals were afraid of him and did not attack 100%, in battle with me this will not happen", said Sonnen.

Emelianenko and Sonnen will fight in the fall in the semifinal of the Grand Prix Bellator in the heavyweight division.