Fedor Emelianenko, also known as “The Last Emperor,” has decided to exit the world of MMA but isn’t completely finished with fighting sports. After losing to Ryan Bader in a Bellator heavyweight championship match, which was thought to be his farewell fight, Emelianenko announced his retirement. However, that announcement turned out to be only partially true.
On Wednesday, the 46-year-old fighting legend revealed to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that although his MMA career has come to an end, he is now interested in exploring the world of boxing. “I’m finished with MMA entirely. I want to experiment with boxing. It promises to be fascinating,” Emelianenko expressed.
After his defeat to Bader, Emelianenko began weightlifting, recuperating from injuries, and engaging in boxing training. Feeling rejuvenated and confident in his boxing abilities, he’s ready to step into the ring.
Emelianenko, hailed as one of the finest fighters ever and renowned as the world’s best heavyweight for nearly a decade in the 2010s, is in the initial phases of planning his boxing debut. A certain prominent name has caught his eye: Mike Tyson.
He and his team were inspired by Tyson’s fight with Roy Jones Jr., and Emelianenko finds the idea of facing Tyson intriguing. He praised Tyson as a legendary figure who still possesses his power and form. The opportunity to appear on the undercard of Tyson’s exhibition bout with Francis Ngannou against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia excites him.
Despite his age, his knockout losses, and the fact that this would be his first professional boxing match against a former champion, Emelianenko feels ready and undaunted. “I’ve been boxing for over half of my life. I’m mainly known for wrestling, sambo, judo, but my boxing skills are evident in my fights. Although I’m not at Tyson’s level, it would be an engaging fight,” he stated.
If the Tyson match doesn’t materialize, Emelianenko considers Jake Paul a possibility. Paul has been making a name for himself by defeating ex-MMA fighters in boxing matches. Emelianenko acknowledges Paul’s growth and success but expresses skepticism that Paul would accept a fight against him. He noted, “He’s definitely improving and achieving knockdowns and knockouts against MMA stars. But he seems to pick opponents who are a bit smaller and more suited to his style. I’m not really considering [fighting Jake Paul], as I don’t think he’d be willing to take it on.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fedor Emelianenko
Is Fedor Emelianenko returning to MMA?
No, Fedor Emelianenko has confirmed that he is 100% done with MMA and is not returning. Instead, he is interested in trying his hand at boxing.
Who is Fedor Emelianenko interested in fighting in a boxing match?
Emelianenko has expressed interest in fighting Mike Tyson in a boxing match. He also mentioned the possibility of fighting Jake Paul but doubted that Paul would accept.
What has Fedor Emelianenko been doing since his last MMA fight?
After his last MMA fight, Emelianenko took a break to recover from injuries, began lifting weights to rebuild muscles, and started boxing training. He now feels confident in boxing.
How old are Fedor Emelianenko and Mike Tyson?
Fedor Emelianenko is 47 years old, and Mike Tyson is 57 years old.
Why does Emelianenko doubt that Jake Paul would fight him?
Emelianenko gives credit to Jake Paul for his growth as a boxer but notes that Paul tends to choose opponents who are smaller and more comfortable for his boxing style. He expressed skepticism that Paul would be willing to take a fight with him.
Is Emelianenko completely retired from combat sports?
Though Emelianenko has retired from MMA, he is not completely done with combat sports. He has expressed an interest in pursuing a career in boxing and is in the early stages of planning his first boxing match.
More about Fedor Emelianenko
- Fedor Emelianenko’s Profile
- Mike Tyson’s Profile
- Bellator MMA
- Jake Paul’s Boxing Career
- The MMA Hour
5 comments
Fedor’s a legend in MMA, no doubt! boxing though… i dont know seems risky for his first professional bout to go against Tyson
Emelianenko in boxing?? intriguing! but can he really handle someone like Tyson even at this age Tyson’s a beast still
Why’s Fedor doubting Jake Paul? He’s proven himself. Could be an interesting fight I guess.
Wow, Fedor vs Tyson? that would be epic But I’m not sure if it’ll ever happen. Age might be a factor here.
Love Fedor but this seems like a reach, Tyson in a boxing match? Hes been doing it his whole life. Still, I’d pay to see it, no doubt!