From September 2004 to September 2005, Nickels has done competition fights in the Ring of Fire and has earned 3 wins and 1 loss. In the third season of The Ultimate Fighter, Nickels participated in 2006. To Matt Hamill by unanimous decision, He lost in his first fight. However, he returned on the undercard for the finale, defeating previously undefeated Wes Combs by rear naked choke in the first round. At UFC 73, Nickels lost the fight against Stephan Bonnar.

In April 2005, at the Pan American Brazilian jiu-jitsu championships, Nickels won a gold medal. He also won the Grapplers Quest Nevada in November 2005 and in May 2006; he won the Shawn Ray 1st Annual Submission Grappling Classic. On June 13 2008 via rear naked choke in the 1st round, he won his fight against Vladimir Vuckovic at Ring of Fire 32. On April 11, 2009 in Denver, CO, at the Ring of Fire, he fought and beat James Funny by submission in the 1st round.

In a submission by armbar on December 4, 2009, Nickels lost the fight against Magalhaes. Most recently on October 2, 2009, defeating UFC veteran David Heath at MFC 22 in Canada, Nickels has gone 3-0 in his last 3 fights. In the match, He scored both “Submission of the Night” and “Fight of The Night” awards. In MMA History, the fight was quoted as the “Best Fight”.

With Sambo and Judo, Emelianenko’s enthusiasm for fighting began. He was initially trained under Vasiliy Ivanovich Gavrilov, and Vladimir Mihailovich Voronov, is the current grappling coach for Emelianenko. In 1997, received the official certification of a “Master of Sports” in sambo and judo. After earning a bronze medal in 1998 in the Russian Judo Championship.

Emelianenko made his MMA debut for the Japanese RINGS organization. At the King of Kings 2000, Emelianenko suffered his only loss in the sport against Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. Emelianenko defeated Chris Haseman and won the RINGS Absolute Class Tournament on February 15, 2002. On March 16, 2003, Emelianenko was then signed to fight heavily favored Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira for Pride’s Heavyweight Championship title and won it by unanimous decision. In PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix 2004, he was upset by Kevin Randleman. At PRIDE Final Conflict 2005, Emelianenko was awarded a unanimous decision victory against Mirko. At Shockwave 2006, Emelianenko’s last defense of his Pride Heavyweight title was against 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix champion Mark Hunt. In October 2007, Emelianenko committed to a non-exclusive, two-year and six-fight deal with M-1 Global.

Manager, Vadim Finkelstein confirmed Emelianenko’s tightly knit alliance with M-1 Global on February 13, 2008. In 2009, Two matches were canceled, one against Josh Branett, former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Vitor Belfort

On June 26, 2010, Fedor Emelianenko is scheduled to face Fabricio Werdum. Concentrating on the further improvement of his striking game, Fedor Emelianenko is training for the fight alongside top Dutch kick boxers.