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Fedor Emelianenko, probably the most iconic combined martial artists of all time, will make the ultimate stroll of his profession in 2023.
Emelianenko, 46, will problem Bellator MMA heavyweight champion Ryan Bader for the title at Bellator 290 on Feb. 4. The occasion will happen contained in the Kia Discussion board in Inglewood, California and air on CBS. Bellator MMA officers broke the information with CBSSports.com on Friday.
“Now we have been working tirelessly on rising this model into the worldwide powerhouse it’s in the present day and a primetime slot on CBS has all the time been one in every of our key aims,” mentioned Bellator president Scott Coker in a launched assertion. “With a wholesome roster filled with lots of the world’s best possible fighters, together with elite up-and-coming prospects and legends of the sport, I am very excited to showcase this occasion on the most-watched community in America.”
The heavyweight title combat will probably be a rematch of a bout that happened in January 2019. Bader (30-7) gained through TKO in simply 35 seconds, and have become a two-division champion in Bellator. He has held that heavyweight belt since 2019, though he misplaced his 205-pound mild heavyweight title to Vadim Nemkov the next yr.
Emelianenko (40-6) has been combating professionally since 2000. He was as soon as extensively thought of the best fighter of all time, having began his profession with a report of 30-1. He’s principally often called the previous heavyweight king of Delight Combating Championship, though he additionally gained titles in Affliction and Strikeforce. The UFC made a number of makes an attempt to signal Emelianenko throughout his legendary profession, however the two sides have been unable to return to a deal.
Emelianenko fights out of Stary Oskol, Russia. He beforehand retired from MMA in 2012, however elected to return to the game in 2015. He gained his final two fights through first-round knockout towards Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Tim Johnson.
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