Fedor Emelianenko: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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It’s been more than three years since we last saw Fedor Emelianenko compete inside the cage. The Russian legend effectively retired from the sport for the second time following his 2nd loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 290 on February 4, 2023.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 17

49-year-old legend Fedor Emelianenko not ruling out MMA return three years after retiring: ‘Why not?’

The legendary career of Fedor Emelianenko may still have one last chapter. In 2023, Emelianenko was stopped by Ryan Bader for the second time in what ended up being his retirement fight following 48 professional bouts.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 16

Fedor Emelianenko Confirms Still Open To Fight At 50

Fedor Emelianenko has not ruled out a return to competition despite turning 50 this September. The heavyweight legend told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn that he continues training with his team and would consider fighting again for the right opportunity.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 19

Brito Secures UFC Contract With Brutal One-Punch KO

Welterweight Kaik Brito earned a UFC contract Tuesday night after demolishing Namo Fazil with a devastating right hand on Contender Series. Brito connected with what MMA Mania called one of the best right hands since Fedor Emelianenko stopped Brett Rogers, dropping Fazil in the main event of the evening's card.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 22

Dana White explains why he’s glad UFC never came to terms with Fedor Emelianenko for dream fight

Dana White doesn’t regret not being able to bring Fedor Emelianenko into the UFC. Fans voted Emelianenko as MMA’s greatest heavyweight despite the fact that he never stepped inside of the Octagon.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 3

Islam Makhachev joins Fedor Emelianenko after being presented prestigious award ahead of UFC 330

Just over a month out from his first welterweight title defense, Islam Makhachev has been awarded Russia’s highest sporting honor. At UFC 330 on August 15, Islam Makhachev will finally defend his welterweight title for the first time when he takes on Ian Machado Garry.

MMA News / HITC / April 1

Fedor Emelianenko plans combat sports return at age 50 in 2027

Fedor Emelianenko hasn’t left the competitive spotlight just yet, it seems. Emelianenko’s place in heavyweight history is secure, with many considering him the best fighter to never step into a UFC cage.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / March 31

MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko is planning a combat sports return aged 50 in 2027

The great Fedor Emelianenko is seemingly not finished competing just yet. No conversation about heavyweight history in mixed martial arts is complete without Emelianenko, who is widely regarded as the greatest fighter to have never competed in the UFC.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / March 31

Heavyweight MMA GOAT Fedor Emelianenko Starts Training for Combat Return

Even at 49, Fedor Emelianenko isn’t done with combat sports just yet. More than four years after his final MMA fight in 2023 — a knockout loss to Ryan Bader — the legendary heavyweight is preparing for one more run.

MMA News / Total Apex Sports / March 31

Fedor Emelianenko Targets Sambo Return At 50 Years Old

Fedor Emelianenko, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in mixed martial arts history, is preparing for a return to competition.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / February 15

‘Generational prospect’ Fedor Duric lives up to his name with Emelianenko-esque finish at Oktagon 84

One of Europe’s top MMA prospects shares more than just a name with the legendary Fedor Emelianenko. A number of MMA promotions across the Atlantic have been showing strong development in recent months and years.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / February 7

Ex-UFC champ was KO’d in 22 seconds to set up Fedor Emelianenko clash that was seen by over 4 million

On this day in 2009, a statement performance earned a fighter one of the biggest matchups possible. UFC 324 may not have gone exactly how the promotion had planned but it was still a strong start to a new era.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 8

UFC legend stunned first man to ‘beat’ Fedor Emelianenko on his debut before winning heavyweight title

On this day in 1999, a legend of the sport took a big step towards the UFC title. The wait for Tom Aspinall’s eyes to recover has left the UFC’s heavyweight division at a standstill for the time being.

MMA News / MyMMANews / November 28

The Greatest MMA Fight That Never Happened: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar at Heavyweight Peak

The Greatest MMA Fight That Never Happened: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar, 2009–2010 It remains The post The Greatest MMA Fight That Never Happened: Fedor Emelianenko vs.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 23

Fedor Emelianenko brutally slept UFC vet with three-punch combo for final MMA win in Russia

Fedor Emelianenko had a homecoming for the ages, four years ago today. Arguably the greatest fighter to never step foot in the UFC Octagon, Fedor Emelianenko had a legendary 48-fight pro MMA career with wins over Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman and more.

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MMA News / EssentiallySports / September 30

UFC Legend to Break Fedor Emelianenko’s 28-Fight Unbeaten Run Caught Throwing Combos During Brawl at Brazil Event

Some of you might know him as the man who broke Fedor Emelianenko’s twenty-eight-fight winning run. Most of you know him as the guy who almost got ‘ankle-picked’ by Tony Ferguson.

MMA News / HITC / September 27

Jon Jones amazed as 48-year-old Fedor Emelianenko shows off incredible gym skills

Fans are amazed that Fedor Emelianenko can still pull off a move that Jon Jones never managed, especially at heavyweight. Dana White announced Jones’ retirement after an underwhelming spell as UFC heavyweight champion.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / August 20, 2025

6’11 ex-UFC star snubs Fedor Emelianenko and kickboxing GOAT as he names his hardest hitting opponent

Semmy Schilt is widely regarded to be one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. In recent times, a former opponent of his and fellow legendary fighter, Ernesto Hoost, named the toughest opponent from his iconic career.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / August 2, 2025

Dana White shockingly changed his mind on Fedor Emelianenko after he dismantled a former UFC champion in just 36 seconds

One of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time never got the chance to compete inside the Octagon. There were seemingly several reasons why Fedor Emelianenko was never signed to the UFC.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 30, 2025

Fedor Emelianenko made referee complaint after he was shockingly knocked out cold by UFC legend in wild war

Throughout his career in MMA, Fedor Emelianenko fought and got the better of several UFC legends but there were a few fighters who successfully beat the Russian.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / June 26, 2025

Fedor Emelianenko’s legendary 28-fight unbeaten streak ended when rookie mistake led to 69-second loss

Fedor Emelianenko made a major error that cost him dearly on June 26, 2010. The heavyweight legend put his epic 28-fight unbeaten streak on the line in the main event of a Strikeforce show in San Jose, California.

MMA News / The SportsRush / May 21, 2025

‘Never Got to Test’: When Dana White Explained Why He Never Listed Fedor Emelianenko Among MMA’s Greatest Like Jon Jones

There are very few mixed martial artists in the world who are more decorated than Fedor Emelianenko. ‘The Last Emperor’, who was the PRIDE Heavyweight Champion for almost four years (2003 to 2006), also excelled in judo and was a four-time world champion in combat sambo.

MMA News / Ringside Intel / March 6, 2024

10 Best MMA fighters of all time, including Fedor Emelianenko and UFC GOAT Jon Jones

Many long-time mixed martial arts fans often wonder about who are the best MMA fighters of all time. Well, look no further because we have you covered with a rundown of the 10 top competitors to ever grace the Octagon.

Boxing News / Yardbarker / August 9, 2023

Fedor Emelianenko challenges Mike Tyson for his boxing debut

Former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (40-7-1) is making plans for his post-mixed martial arts career and he has one of the biggest names in boxing at the top of his hit list.

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MMA News / Yardbarker / January 21, 2021