KARAN PRESENTS EMELIANENKO WITH ORDER OF MERIT WITH GOLD RAYS

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 18 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan presented renowned Russian mixed martial arts /MMA/ fighter Fedor Emelianenko with the Order of Merit with Gold Rays in Banja Luka.

The award was presented to Emelianenko for his outstanding personal achievements in MMA, his contribution to the promotion and advancement of the sport, as well as for strengthening friendly relations between Russia and Republika Srpska.

President Milorad Dodik, Acting Director of the Office for International Cooperation Ana Trišić-Babić, and Minister of Internal Affairs Željko Budimir attended the ceremony.

Earlier, Karan hosted Emelianenko at the Palace of the Republic.

Emelianenko has been visiting Republika Srpska since yesterday. That the renowned Russian MMA fighter has a big heart was demonstrated yesterday when he donated BAM 20,000 to the Parents’ House in Banja Luka.

Fedor Emelianenko is a former Russian mixed martial arts fighter, whom many consider one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in MMA history.

In 2019, Emelianenko entered the ring to the verses of the Serbian song "Hriste Bože," also known as the "Kosovo Heroes Anthem".

At the time, Emelianenko displayed the Russian and Serbian flags and thanked everyone who had supported him, especially in Orthodox countries - Russia, Serbia and Greece.

Born in 1976, he recorded an impressive career record of 40 wins and seven losses.

He made his biggest mark in the iconic Japanese organization Pride, where he remained undefeated from 2001 to 2010 and held the heavyweight championship title.

He officially ended his professional MMA career in 2023.