The key facts

  • Emelianenko is ready for an exhibition fight with Nurmagomedov if the latter does not object
  • According to him, the initiative should come from the International Sambo Federation
  • Emelianenko’s last professional fight took place on February 4, 2023, when he lost by knockout to Ryan Bader

Emelianenko open to an exhibition bout

Former mixed martial arts world champion Fedor Emelianenko said he is ready to hold an exhibition fight against former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. His words are relayed by a correspondent of Gazeta.Ru. “If Khabib doesn’t mind, could we hold an exhibition fight? It’s an exhibition bout, after all, so why not,” the publication quotes the athlete as saying.

Conditions and possible venue

According to Emelianenko, the initiative for such a fight should come from the International Sambo Federation: “If Vasily Borisovich doesn’t object, it can be organized.” He did not specify where exactly the bout could take place, suggesting it might be possible “as part of the next world championship.” Emelianenko recalled that he already has experience with such exhibition performances — in South Korea with his longtime coach Vladimir Voronov and with his brother Alexander.

Context

Fedor Emelianenko is 50 years old. He fought his last professional bout on February 4, 2023, losing by knockout to Ryan Bader; over his career, the Russian competed in PRIDE Fighting Championships, Strikeforce and Bellator. Earlier, as Gazeta.Ru reported, Emelianenko spoke about how he underwent shoulder surgery. The publication does not report any reaction from Nurmagomedov or the International Sambo Federation to the possible fight.