Emelianenko Elects Not To Retire, Will Fight In Russia

Emelianenko to fight in Russia

Fedor Emelianenko has elected not to retire and will pursue a bout in Russia in the coming months.

The news comes from Emelianenko’s management team at M-1 Global, who sent out a press release confirming Emelianenko’s decision.

“We consulted with Fedor and it was decided that he should not leave the sport in this way. His friends and past opponents support Fedor in continuing his career and he agreed,” M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelstein said. “We want to organize a fight for Fedor in Russia and have already begun working in this direction. If everything goes as planned, we will produce a card in Moscow or St. Petersburg sometime in the fall with Fedor as the main event.”

Finkelstein also noted that he is working with several Japanese promotions in the hopes of putting together a Fedor fight on New Year’s Eve. He hopes to help revive Fedor’s career in Japan before making a planned return to the United States in 2012.

Emelianenko lost his third straight bout to Dan Henderson two weeks ago, and Strikeforce parent company Zuffa opted not to re-sign him after his contract expired.