MOSCOW, April 4 President of the MMA Union of Russia Radmir Gabdullin called the departure of Fedor Emelianenko from the post of chairman of the supervisory board a loss for the organization, according to the website of the MMA Union. Fedor Emelianenko served as chairman of the supervisory board for four years after he resigned as head of the MMA Union. MMA Russia has become a loss for us. Fedor decided to leave the MMA Union of Russia in a difficult period for Russian sports, when our athletes are suspended from international performances and we all need mutual support and unity. Nevertheless, I respect Fedor's decision. He made a huge contribution to the development of MMA in Russia. He is a personality, the personification of our sport and a guide for many guys and girls who are just starting their sports career. For me, Fedor is more than an idol, a great athlete, a living legend,» the press service of the MMA Union quotes Gabdullin.
«I want to appeal to the youth and members of the MMA family, who may consider Fedor's departure from his post Chairman of the Supervisory Board is a turning point in the history of our organization. This is not so. We continue to develop MMA, attract more and more brave and ambitious young men and women to the sport. Our main goal is to make MMA a mass and priority national sport. We are convinced that this approach will allow talented children in the future to find themselves in professional sports and, ultimately, improve its level,» Gabdullin emphasized.