Fedor Emelianenko Finally Gets An Opponent for MMA Return on New Year's Eve
“The Last Emperor,” Fedor Emelianenko (34-4), finally has an opponent for his highly-anticipated return to fighting on New Year's Eve. Former K-1 kickboxing champion,Jaideep Singh (2-0) will take on the Russian icon in the main event of the inaugural Rizin FF's Grand Prix.
Singh trains with four-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion Peter Aerts, and Rudimar Fedrigo, the founder and head trainer of famed Brazil-based MMA camp Chute Boxe, who is responsible for spawning the careers of a host of retired and active world champions including Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
Emanating from the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan, the event marks the debut of a Rizin FF, a new global MMA promotion headed by former Pride FC founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara. The Grand Prix includes a tournament and fights on December 29 and December 31. Spike TV will broadcast the December 31 card on tape delay along with coverage of the marquee fights and highlights from bouts fought on December 29.
HOT TOPIC > Holly Holm Video: ‘There is No the Greatest of All Time’
Bellator MMA will be among the organizations partnering with Rizin FF for the Grand Prix. The other organizations participating include BAMMA, KSW, Bushido, Jungle Fight, and Desert Force.
The event will also feature a catch-weight fight between Japanese fighting legends Shinya Aoki and Kazushi Sakuraba.
Emelianenko last fought in June, 2012 and scored a first round KO over Pedro Rizzo. The Russian will look to repeat history on Dec. 31 in Tokyo. In 2011, on New Year’s Eve, Fedor thrilled the Tokyo crowd with a punishing first round knockout over Satoshi Ishii. He held the Pride FC heavyweight title from 2003 until the promotion was purchased by UFC parent company Zuffa LLC in 2007.
