MMA veteran Jeff “The Snowman” Monson is one of the most likable fighters in the sport. After Monson left UFC, there was actually discussion that he could be a potential opponent for Fedor Emelianenko, who has now lost each of his last two fights in Strikeforce. Nevertheless, Monson still believes that Fedor should be considered one of the top fighters in the world.

“He’s lost two in a row, but he’s human. I don’t think you get to 31-2 and beat the long list of guys he has and not be considered one of the top guys in the sport,” Monson answered. “He’s still the best heavyweight ever. In his time, he was maybe the best pound-for-pound guy ever. I don’t know what else he has to prove.”

UFC President Dana White hammered Emelianenko’s fans on Twitter following his most recent loss, while many fans jumped on the bandwagon. But as a fighter, Monson doesn’t agree with the harsh criticism that Fedor received.

“The world is fickle, you can be a super hero one day, unbeatable, and you lose a fight and they’re like, ‘this is it.’ He’s a legend. He’s for sure the best heavyweight ever and probably the best fighter ever.”

When asked about the potential retirement of another heavyweight who also lost in the first round, Andrei Arlovski, Monson stopped short of suggesting retirement, but did express concern for his health.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that once boxers or fighters get knocked out, it’s easier to get knocked out (again),” he cautioned. “He’s 30-something years old and he’s got maybe 50, 60 years to live. You don’t want to live that punch drunk, either.”

While Fedor and Arlovski struggled in the first round, Monson still believes that it’s the Strikeforce heavyweight division that is deeper and is the best in the world right now.

“I think the UFC has more top guys,” Monson evaluated. “But I think the Top Four are kind of interchangeable as far as how good they are. Once you get down to five, six, seven, eight; I think Strikeforce is just deeper. They’ve got really good guys. The UFC has maybe four or five that are really good, but after that, they’re not maybe top tier, I guess, in my opinion.”

By Nick Caron