Legendary MMA star Fedor Emelianenko confirmed that his anticipated boxing meeting with Mirko “Crocop” Filipović is moving forward with the bout set for March 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia.
During an interview at a training camp in Kislovodsk, Emelianenko shared details about the upcoming event.
“We went to Serbia,”
he confirmed while explaining that the Serbian side will act as the promoter for this historic meeting.
“Everything is moving in a positive direction, let’s say, everything is going well so far. As far as I know, contracts are being prepared now and there is an agreement in principle.”
The bout will be held at a large stadium in Belgrade and is planned for eight three-minute rounds. This is not an exhibition but an officially sanctioned boxing match which requires full licensing and proper preparation. Emelianenko highlighted the importance of the venue since Crocop has strong support in Serbia and Croatian fans are expected to travel to attend.
To prepare, Emelianenko assembled a high-level training team that includes respected coach Mikhail Galov who is focusing specifically on footwork and movement.
“We invited him to the team so that he would give exactly this footwork, legs, legs, legs.”
“Not every boxer can work on his feet and move like Mikhail Valentinovich.”
Boxing coach Denis Lebedev also confirmed his participation in the preparation.
The Russian icon’s training at the mid-mountain facility in Kislovodsk includes hard sparring sessions, running routes for endurance and detailed boxing work. Although he is in the later stages of his career, Emelianenko remains committed to doing everything correctly which reflects decades of experience and trust in his coaching staff.
This matchup stands out as a compelling meeting between two MMA icons stepping into pure boxing. While Crocop came from a kickboxing background before moving into MMA, both participants bring deep striking knowledge into the ring. With a March 2026 date on the calendar both men have significant time to prepare for what promises to be a memorable moment in combat sports history.
