Bellator MMA will be heading to Russia for the first time ever and will bring the legendary Fedor Emelianenko with them.
During a special press conference, Bellator President Scott Coker announced that the promotion will be holding an event inside the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia on October 23. Headlining the event will be Emelianenko against an unnamed opponent. Coker is looking to bring several of his fighters from Russia to the event.
-- BREAKING NEWS --
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) June 25, 2021
Bellator MMA President @ScottCoker has announced the promotion’s first-ever event in Moscow, Russia on Saturday, October 23rd headlined by the legendary Fedor Emelianenko ---- pic.twitter.com/wm8OgcFNk7
On October 23, "The Last Emperor" returns to action in Moscow, Russia. pic.twitter.com/uUtE8YoyOK
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) June 25, 2021
“It’s an honor to bring him (Fedor) home to compete in front of his fans who have followed his entire career,” said Coker (h/t New York Post).
Turning professional in 2000, Emelianenko has fought for Rings and PRIDE, where he is a former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion. Following the end of PRIDE, Emelianenko joined Scott Coker's Strikeforce. In an iconic moment, Fedor lost to Fabricio Werdum in 2010, ending a 28-fight unbeaten streak. After appearing on Fight Nights Global and retiring from MMA for a few years, Emelianenko joined Bellator in 2017.
"The Last Emperor" is 3-2 with the organization, previously competing in the Heavyweight Grand Prix. His last fight was a TKO win in December 2019 against Quinton Jackson in Japan. Throughout his career, Emelianenko has fought and beaten the likes of Mark Coleman, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Andrei Arlovski, Chael Sonnen, Mirko Cro Cop, and Tsuyoshi Kohsaka.
It was announced during the press conference that the 44-year-old has two more fights left in his contract with Bellator. Coker is looking to have one of those fights be in the United States. No other fights have been announced for this card as of this moment.
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