Fedor Emelianenko Signs Multi-Fight Deal with Bellator, Meets Matt Mitrione on Feb. 18
Fedor Emelianenko is now officially a Bellator MMA athlete.
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“I’m happy to be fighting in San Jose. I’m happy to be fighting in Bellator,” Emelianenko told announcer Jimmy Smith.
Emelianenko returned from a three-year retirement this past December to stop Jaideep Singh via first-round TKO at Rizin Fighting Federation’s New Year’s Eve event. The 40-year-old Russian then defeated Fabio Maldonado by controversial majority decision at Eurasia Fight Nights 50 on June 17. Once regarded as the sport’s pound-for-pound best fighter, Emelianenko owns a 36-4 career record.
A cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 10,” Mitrione joined the Bellator ranks this year following a 14-bout stint with the UFC. He debuted with a first-round knockout of Carl Seumanutafa at Bellator 157 before stopping Oli Thompson in the second stanza at Bellator 158 on July 16. “Meathead” is 11-5 as a professional overall.
“I’m honored. I’m so excited as a fighter. You’re the person everybody guns for their entire career,” Mitrione told Emelianenko. “Welcome to the family. Let’s give them a show.”
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