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Fedor Emelianenko is one of the greatest fighters of all-time. Bellator president Scott Coker will have some decisions to make as the former PRIDE heavyweight champion’s career soon concludes. 'The Last Emperor' has defeated some of the sport’s top heavyweights and, during his prime, he was arguably the world's most dominant fighter.
Fedor Emelianenko’s 10-year winning streak saw him defeat former champions and future UFC Hall of Famers. Some of Emelianenko’s notable victories include Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Kevin Randleman, Andrei Arlovski, and Mark Coleman.
Emelianenko fought No.3-ranked Bellator heavyweight Tim Johnson in the main event of Bellator 269 in his home country, Russia. In typical Fedor fashion, he defeated Johnson by knockout at 1:46 of the first round.
Following the bout, there was talk that Emelianenko now has one final fight on his Bellator contract. The promotion has plenty of options for his final opponent and it’ll be interesting to see who they select. This list will look at 5 possible opponents for Fedor Emelianenko’s final fight.
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#5. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett
Kicking-off this list of possible opponents for Fedor Emelianenko’s final fight is Josh Barnett. A bout between Barnett and Emelianenko was originally scheduled to headline Affliction: Trilogy back in 2009. However, Barnett ended up failing a drug test 11 days prior to the fight. As a result, the event ended up being canceled and the company shifted its focus to clothing instead.
When both Barnett and Emelianenko were competing in Strikeforce, there was an opportunity to book the fight. Unfortunately the bout never came to fruition and has since become a missed opportunity.
During his career, Barnett accomplished a great deal of success and fought in the top promotions in the world. Some of Barnett’s accomplishments include being a Pancrase openweight champion, Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix finalist, and UFC heavyweight champion.
Barnett, 43, hasn’t competed since his win over Andrei Arlovski on a UFC Fight Night card in 2016. Barnett signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator in 2019, but never wound up making his debut.
At this stage of both men’s careers, it would be interesting to see how the fight would play out. Emelianenko would have the clear advantage in the striking department, especially in stand-up. However, Barnett has the ability to catch Emelianenko with a submission should the fight go to the ground.
#4. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Junior dos Santos
Another possible opponent for Fedor Emelianenko’s final fight is former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. An Emelianenko-dos Santos bout would be interesting considering the striking of both fighters. Emelianenko said he wasn’t really in favor of a bout with dos Santos because he had been released by the UFC. However, the former UFC champion would be a big name opponent for Emelianenko’s final fight.
Junior dos Santos last fought at UFC 256, where he lost to current interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane by TKO. It was Junior dos Santos’ fourth-straight TKO loss and it resulted in his release from the UFC. It’s important to point out that dos Santos has been physically active in recent years and may’ve benefited from an extended layoff. Had dos Santos taken more time off following his third-straight TKO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik, he may’ve performed better.
Junior dos Santos has been featured on AEW programming in recent months and has looked great in his pro wrestling stint. If he were to be Fedor Emelianenko’s final opponent in 2022, fans may see a more rejuvenated JDS. If dos Santos were to be successful and defeat Emelianenko, he could be in Bellator’s long-term plans rather than a one-off.
#3. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Cain Velasquez
Another former UFC heavyweight champion who would make for an entertaining bout with Fedor Emelianenko is Cain Velasquez. During the peak of Velasquez’s UFC career, he looked unbeatable. Velasquez’s training was next-level, and he was a well-rounded fighter that dominated the best heavyweights in the sport.
Cain Velasquez was a durable fighter that maintained the same pace from the first-round until the fifth-round. Velasquez last fought on a UFC on ESPN event in 2019 against current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Velasquez was defeated by knockout 26-seconds into the fight and hasn’t competed since.
Cain Velasquez could make things very difficult for Fedor Emelianenko if they fight. Velasquez is known for his relentless pace and for mixing up quick combinations in the clinch followed by takedowns. Velasquez’s gameplan could leave little room for Emelianenko to throw his powerful right hook that has caused many highlight-reel finishes.
A potential Emelianenko-Velasquez fight would be a nice send-off for both MMA legends. Velasquez announced his retirement from MMA in 2019 after he signed with the WWE. However, the company ended up releasing him, which makes him free to accept other offers. If Velasquez signs for a one-off fight with Emelianenko, fans would see two of MMA’s greatest ever heavyweights compete.
#2. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Anderson Silva (catchweight)
An outside-the-box matchup for Fedor Emelianenko’s final fight would be Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva. The former UFC middleweight champion is in the conversation for greatest MMA fighter of all-time and his reign as champion is proof of that.
During his reign, everything seemed to come easy for Silva. His unorthodox style left his opponents second-guessing themselves and he would then take advantage. Landing a clean strike to Silva was a battle of its own. Silva would constantly be moving and even have his hands down at times before unloading on his opponent.
The bout between Emelianenko and Silva at catchweight doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Chael Sonnen has said in the past that the UFC were talking about booking Emelianenko vs. Silva at 205lbs. The bout obviously didn’t take place, but it did get fans curious.
Silva’s final MMA fight took place behind-closed-doors at the UFC Apex last year in a TKO loss to Uriah Hall. Perhaps the idea of fighting Emelianenko in front of a crowd at a 215-220lb catchweight could be an incentive for Silva.
Silva is currently having a great deal of success competing in boxing bouts, so he is still active in combat sports.
#1. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Alistair Overeem
Arguably the biggest missed opportunity in Strikeforce’s history was that they never booked a fight between Emelianenko and Overeem.
It looked as though Emelianenko-Overeem would matchup in the semifinals of the Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix, but that didn’t end up happening. Fedor Emelianenko was defeated by Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva and Overeem would be pulled from the tournament and replaced by Daniel Cormier.
Overeem has had a decorated career in combat sports. His accomplishments include the Strikeforce heavyweight championship, K-1 Grand Prix, and DREAM heavyweight championship.
In addition, Overeem has competed in every top MMA promotion and defeated former champions and legends of the sport. Some of Overeem’s wins include Fabricio Werdum, Junior dos Santos, Brock Lesnar, and Vitor Belfort.
Bellator President Scott Coker has an opportunity to finally book the fight he was unable to in Strikeforce. Overeem’s UFC release was a surprise because, prior to his loss to Alexander Volkov, he had won back-to-back fights.
Overeem and Emelianenko are known for their knockout power, so there’s a good chance it wouldn’t go the distance. The history between the two fighters and Scott Coker would make it a fitting final fight for Fedor Emelianenko.
