He has not been in an MMA match since June 21, 2012 but there are reports coming out that 38-year-old former Pride Heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko is planning to come back to competitive MMA. No plans for future fights or any other details have been revealed, however the idea of the former world No.1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter making a return should draw interest from the MMA world.
So, where could Fedor wind up? The UFC’s name will come up, as they are the biggest MMA company in the world, but their president Dana White has shown only lukewarm interest in Fedor in the past and he has called Fedor’s trusted management out in the past. Emelianenko is unlikely to look beyond that.
It is likely Bellator where he winds up, and frankly the move makes sense. The business aspect of dealing with Bellator President Scott Coker has already been overcome as they worked on many of Fedor’s previous appearances together.
The aging Fedor can either go to UFC where he will likely face their frontline personnel, or go with Bellator where he can look forward to super fights against the likes of Kimbo Slice and Tito Ortiz? Also, Fedor will likely make more money on Bellator’s circuit. Both Ortiz and Kimbo are several years older than Fedor, who may actually look spry against that level of competition.
So before you get too excited about the grand return of Emilianenko and his return, consider that Bellator is his most likely destination. Then consider the fact that the most likely first opponent for a Fedor return is the aforementioned Slice. This may generate interest among the mainstream fans at some point, but as a purist of the sport of MMA, it would be best if Fedor stayed in retirement.
Take a look at Fedor versus Korea’s gigantic Hong-Man Choi in what is one of “The Last Emperor”s most remembered wins.
