Fedor Emelianenko Tapped As New Russian MMA Union President
Fedor Emelianenko is taking on a new role.
Emelianenko was elected as the Russian Mixed Martial Arts Federation president. The legendary Russian fighter has greatly affected Russian MMA with his impressive career.
He received the majority vote in the election on Tuesday, according to TASS.
But this doesn’t mean that Emelianenko is retiring from professional MMA just yet. He clarified that himself.
“I will continue my career,” he said. “The fight is said to be scheduled for September. It will be difficult to combine, but it is a necessity.”
His latest appearance was in Bellator, where he earned a first-round KO against Timothy Johnson.
This fight in September may be his last.
There were plans for the cross-promotional event, with headlining heavyweight title fight between Emelianenko and Junior Dos Santos, but since Dos Santos suffered defeat in Eagle FC’s promotional debut, Emelianenko said he is no longer interested.
Emelianenko often mentioned that he wanted a rematch with Ryan Bader, but nothing is official about it.
The new Russian MMA president defeated Radnor Gabdullin for the role. Now Gadbullin will be in the vice president position.