Bellator 269 results, highlights: Fedor Emelianenko scores brutal first-round knockout of Tim Johnson

'The Last Emperor' returned home to Russia with a brilliant performance against a highly ranked opponent

Talk about a homecoming -- Fedor Emelianenko returned to Russia and fireworks ensued.

Emelianenko (40-6, 1 NC) put on a vintage display of power punching to finish betting favorite Timothy Johnson via first-round knockout inside Moscow's VTB Arena on Saturday. The heavyweight bout served as the main event to Bellator 269 and the first fight for Emelianenko in his home country since 2016.

In what appeared to be his best physical shape in years, the 45-year-old and well-tanned Emelianenko traded punches with Johnson (15-8) at close range in the opening minute until a trademark combination brought upon the American's demise.

Emelianenko landed a trio of flush punches, with the exclamation point coming on a beautiful right cross to knock Johnson out cold. The finish came without a referee's count at 1:46 of the opening round.

"Thank God that everyone [on Team Fedor] managed to win tonight," Emelianenko said. "We already have two champions and we are going to prepare another one.

"It's a huge event for us and it has been a while since I last fought in Russia."

Johnson, 36, took the bout fresh off an interim heavyweight title loss to Valentin Moldavksy, with Emelianenko in his corner.  

Although he didn't speak directly about his future after the win, Emelianenko has talked in recent weeks about fighting once more before retiring.

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CBS Sports was with you throughout the evening for the latest updates, highlights and results from Moscow, Russia, with our live blog below.

Bellator 269 fight card, results

• Fedor Emelianenko def. Tim Johnson via first-round knockout (punch)
• Said Sowma def. Vitaly Minakov via third-round TKO (injury)
• Usman Nurmagomedov def. Patrik Pietila via first-round submission (rear naked choke)
• Anatoly Tokov def. Sharaf Davlatmurodov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:44 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

The time was 1:46 of the opening round. Fedor looked amazing.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:42 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

It was a beautiful three-punch combo from Fedor that put Johnson away. He finished with a right cross and Johnson was out cold. 

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:41 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

The legend strikes once again!

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:41 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: Counter right hand from Fedor and the fight is over!

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:41 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: Lead right hook from Johnson. 

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:41 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: A flurry from Johnson leads to both fighters dig in and exchange body shots.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:40 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: Fedor creates a standoff. Johnson got the better of a brief exchange.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:40 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 1: Left cross hits for Johnson. Things start slow and tense.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:39 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

The crowd is chanting "Fedor" as they touch gloves.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:38 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Nice amount of respect shown from the Moscow crowd for Johnson upon his name being announced.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:38 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Fedor looks to be in good physical shape for this one. Johnson enters as the betting favorite.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:36 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Big cheers for Fedor as he walks to the cage. A very somber feel to this entrance as Fedor shows his ice-cold demeanor void of emotion.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:33 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

When we last saw Fedor, he was knocking out a faded Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in Japan.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:31 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Johnson returns to the cage for the first time since a competitive five-round decision loss to Valentin Moldavsky in their interim heavyweight title bout.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:26 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

It is main event time. Fedor Emelianenko returns at age 45 to fight once more in Russia. American Timothy Johnson stands in his way.

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:22 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

That's a big win for Sowma. 

[Oct 23, 2021 at 4:20 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R3: Minakov appeared to break a finger on his left hand and the referee stops the fight, just like that. It's a TKO win for Sowma.