Fedor Emelianenko plans combat sports return at age 50 in 2027

Ryan Bader’s first-round knockout of Emelianenko at Bellator 290 marked the end of an era, closing the book on one of the most storied careers in MMA history.

Since then, the Russian great has transitioned into coaching, guiding fighters like Vadim Nemkov, who has gone on to win titles in both Bellator and PFL.

While his days in the cage are behind him, Emelianenko is now considering a return to competition — this time outside of MMA. Speaking to Sport Express Daily in Russia, he shared plans to step back into combat sambo after turning 50 in 2027.

“I’m thinking about competing in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship after I turn 50,” Emelianenko said (h/t TASS). “I want to fight a little bit with our sambo guys.”

It wouldn’t be his first foray into sambo competition. Before moving to MMA, Emelianenko earned bronze at the 1998 and 2000 Russian Nationals, gold at the 1998 Armed Forces Championships and gold again at the European Championships in 1999.

The former PRIDE champion returned to combat sambo during his fighting career as well. He captured world titles and national championships across multiple years: FIAS World Combat Sambo Championships and Russian Nationals golds in both 2002 and 2005. His final world title came in 2007 before he fully shifted his focus back to MMA.