Fedor Emelianenko may be on the retirement tour portion of his MMA career, but there could be one more championship left to claim before he eventually hangs up the four-ounce gloves for good.
“The Last Emperor” returns to action in the main event of Bellator 269 in Moscow, Russia, with Fedor set to face current heavyweight contender Tim Johnson. It’s a fight that might not offer the biggest name opponent, but it’s one that, if Fedor is successful, could catapult him into one final shot at championship gold.
Emelianenko vs. Johnson headlines in Moscow, while a pair of duelling middleweight contenders are set to go head to head at the top of the UFC’s Fight Night card the same night.
Former title challengers Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori are both desperate to get back in the cage and challenge Israel Adesanya for the title again, but fight week has already thrown a curveball into proceedings, with Costa admitting that he has arrived significantly overweight for the matchup.
A catchweight bout has been agreed, but what does this mean for Costa’s future as a legitimate middleweight contender? And can Vettori, who has agreed a catchweight deal to ensure he gets to headline this weekend, still pick up the win he needs to push his championship claims once again?
Simon is on hand to talk through all of the above, as well as shine a light on the British fighters set for action this weekend, as we get ready for another UFC/Bellator double-header weekend.
Enjoy the show!
Fedor Emelianenko: One more title run for 'The Last Emperor?'