Fedor Emelianenko Signs New Multi-Fight Deal With Bellator for ‘Retirement Tour’

ESPN.com reports that Bellator MMA has signed heavyweight MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko to a new multi-fight deal. The announcement was made by Bellator President Scott Coker at the Bellator 222 post-fight press conference on Friday (June 14).

Under the new contract, Emelianenko will prospectively end his fight career under the Bellator MMA banner. However, that’s considering if Emelianenko’s retirement actually sticks this this time. History has proven that MMA retirements are not always permanent.

Coker stated on the news, “This is gonna be his retirement tour. I think we’d like to take him to a lot of countries and cities that haven’t seen him in a long time, or maybe have never seen him. It’s gonna be fun when we roll this thing out.”

Fedor Emelianenko is 42 and last fought in a losing effort to Ryan Bader at the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix finals. He was knocked out 35 seconds into the first round. His current MMA record stands at 38–6 with one No Contest.

Coker stated that potential opponents for Emelianenko under the new deal include Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett. Additionally, Bellator MMA wants to book The Last Emperor in some international cities for his last fights.