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Fedor wallops Mir in 48 seconds to advance in Bellator tourney

Dave Mandel / USA TODAY Sports

"The Last Emperor" didn't need long to return to his winning ways on Saturday.

Heavyweight luminary Fedor Emelianenko dispatched Frank Mir by knockout in just 48 seconds to advance in Bellator's eight-man grand prix and cap Bellator 198 in Rosemont, Ill. He's now expected to clash with Chael Sonnen - who bested Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in January to open the tourney - in the semis at a yet-to-be-determined date.

Emelianenko, 41, got back in the win column with the brief showing after suffering a similar fate at Matt Mitrione's hands in his promotional debut at Bellator NYC this past June.

As Mir slung leather on an ill-advised entry, the Russian coolly floored him with a short left uppercut, then uncorked punches to his noggin until referee Mike Beltran stepped in for the save. Sonnen - who'd been working the analyst desk throughout the night - then joined Emelianenko in the cage for the first of several staredowns.

Saturday's headliner marked both Mir's Bellator debut and return from a two-year USADA-sanctioned ban. The ex-UFC heavyweight champ has now lost three straight and seven of his past nine, with each of his last two defeats ending in first-round knockouts.

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