Intro

When former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia stepped into the Affliction ring to represent America against the Russian champion Fedor Emelianenko, it was just one fight in a continuing battle for supremacy between what were once the world's two great super powers. Since World War II, the countries have waged a number of wars, just never directly on the battlefield, opting instead for less deadly contests like boxing, wrestling, basketball, and a race to the moon! Even a simple game of chess was imbued with a sense of importance. It was East versus West, Communism versus Capitalism, blue jeans versus whatever Russians wear. Lurking behind the seemingly benign competition was the very real possibility that we might drop our hockey sticks and pick up M-16's at any second. So in honor of that spirit and Fedor's very real domination of Tim Sylvia, we present you to some great Russian and American conflicts.

by Jonathan Snowden