Fedor Emelianenko is not saying no.
The heavyweight legend has been retired since February 2023, when Ryan Bader stopped him in the first round at Bellator 290. That was the second time Bader had beaten him. Emelianenko is 49 now and turns 50 soon.
He was in New York for the launch of Ki MMA, Scott Coker’s new promotion. Coker ran Strikeforce and Bellator, the two companies where Emelianenko spent most of his American career. Asked by MMA Junkie about competing again, he left the door open through a translator.
I keep training. I keep training with my team. I’m coaching my team, so I keep training.
Then came the part that will travel.
Competition-wise, if it’s going to be a good offer, and it makes sense, why not (return)? I can compete still.
Emelianenko never fought in the UFC, which is why two of the biggest fights of his era never happened. Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture were both floated in the late 2000s and neither came together. The Couture fight got closest, collapsing in 2007 when Couture tried to leave the UFC to chase it and the promotion sued to enforce his contract.
Nearly 20 years on, Emelianenko did not just name it as the one that got away. He offered to book it.
I believe Randy would be much more interesting as a fighter. I’m ready if he’s ready.
Couture, who was also at the press conference, is 63 and has not fought since a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 in April 2011. Ki MMA does not run its first show until early 2027, and Coker said at the launch that no free agent is untouchable.
