Fedor Emelianenko returned to action this week for the first time in three years, but he’s only planning a four month layoff before his next bout.
In an interview with Russian site rsport.ru after his win over Jaideep Singh at Rizin FF’s New Year’s Eve event, Emelianenko said he’s targeting April for his next fight, and is negotiating with Rizin to host that bout.
“The next fight is scheduled for April,” Emelianenko said (translated via BloodyElbow.com). “In my opinion, it will be here in Japan, in cooperation with the company Rizin. Just know that the company is planning a tournament next August and is in talks with Bellator and other organizations. There is another chance of a joint project. For me it would be convenient to enter the ring in April – four months to relax a bit and with new team before preparing for the next battle.”
According to the BE report, Emelianenko’s New Year’s Eve fight was a one-fight deal with a tentative agreement for a second bout.
Penick’s Analysis: Emelianenko’s fight with Singh was massively inconsequential, and if that’s the type of opponent he’s going to be getting in Japan from Rizin, then his continued run will be just as inconsequential. It’s hard to care about him fighting that level of competition, so whether he fights in April or not, if it’s not against someone worth watching him fight, the excitement level’s not there.
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