MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko is really taking MMA seriously both inside and outside the cage . The last emperor recently took on a new position in the Russian MMA Union.
Former PRIDE heavyweight champion is still actively fighting today in Bellator. He last fought in October, knocking out the No.2-ranked Timothy Johnson in the first round.
Now 45 years old, Emelianenko was to have a retirement bout in Moscow. But unfortunately, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine made that impossible and Bellator backed out of the idea.
Last Tuesday, the forum of the MMA Union Conference elected Emelianenko as the President of the Russian MMA Union (RMMAU). ‘The Last Emperor’ received the majority of the votes to beat the former president Radmir Gabdullin. Gabdullin now will serve as the vice president of the Union.
Emelianenko also told TASS.com that his new role will not automatically end his fighting career.
“I will continue my career,” he said. “The fight is said to be scheduled for September. It will be difficult to combine, but it is a necessity.”
The fight mentioned is rumored to be his retirement bout, although no firm retirement has been announced. He also rumored to fight former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos in a collaboration event between Bellator and Eagle FC.
Emelianenko has fought professionally since 2000. The multiple times combat sambo and judo world champion amassed a record of 40 wins and only six losses with one draw.
Throughout his legendary career, he holds wins over the likes of Mark Coleman, Big Nog, Mirko Cro Cop, Andrei Arlovski, Frank Mir, and Rampage Jackson.
He is also famous for his 22-fight unbeaten streaks that spans 8 years throughout various promotions like PRIDE, Affliction, and Strikeforce.