Moscow's fight audience, including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, saw the 35-year-old Emelianenko return to the patient, strategic approach that characterised him in his prime before his string of setbacks. Using more jabs, straight punches and low kicks that he has in years, Emelianenko gradually dismantled Monson over three rounds.

By the end of the fight and four knockdowns, Monson's face was heavily bruised and bleeding. He winced and leaned heavily on his cornermen as he limped to the backstage area.

Following the bout, M-1 co-founder Vadim Finkelstein suggested that Emelianenko's next fight could come against Japanese fighter Satoshi Ishii, a 2008 Olympic champion in judo.

In Sunday's co-main event, Daniel Weichel scored a first-round knockout of Jose Figueroa to win M-1's lightweight title. Weichel sent him to the canvas with an overhand right and landed multiple hammerfists on the ground to end the bout just 1:41 in the first round.