Don't look now, but Fedor Emelianenko says he's in talks with the UFC

Fedor Emelianenko

Less than a month after announcing his return to training for MMA, Fedor Emelianenko says he’s ready to fight the world’s best competition.

The 38-year-old former PRIDE champ also appears to be setting his sights on the promotion he once spurned after a reported multi-million dollar deal was offered. Emelianenko (34-4) said he’s in talks with the UFC and expects to know his fate soon.

“Now this is being negotiated, in particular with the UFC, as well as some other promotions,” said Emelianenko during a recent Q&A (transcribed by BloodyElbow.com). “I think it will soon be finally determined.

“As for the opponent, I would say that desire must comply opportunities. I would like to face the strongest fighters in the world – UFC champion Fabricio Werdum. Given that over three years, I did not fight during the first fight I would like to get involved (and) check for myself.”

The UFC declined to comment to MMAjunkie on Emelianenko’s interview, so it’s impossible to know at this point whether the Russian is simply negotiating with his words. If true, the talks indicate a serious change of heart on both sides, which haven’t been terribly kind to each other in the press since their failed negotiation.

It’s undisputed that UFC President Dana White and UFC chairman Lorenzo Fertitta flew to an island off Venezuela to meet with Emelianenko and his reps about a potential contract. It was 2009, and White’s goal was to promote a fight between Emelianenko and then-heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. What happened next depends on who tells the story.

White contends he offered Emelianenko an exorbitant sum to fight in the UFC and balked over a demand to build an arena in Russia. Emelianenko said the offer initially promised wasn’t what was delivered on paper. When White and Fertitta left the island, there was no deal.

But now, six years after Emelianenko passed and saw his career drop precipitously with a trio of losses in the now-defunct Strikeforce, including his first loss in 10 years to current UFC heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum, the ex-champ is talking about a contract – with someone.

Emelianenko returned to the ring after leaving Strikeforce and put together a three-fight win streak before formally retiring in 2012. He took a position as minister of sport in the Russian government and was elected the president of a Russian MMA union.

Over the past three years, Emelianenko repeatedly dismissed the idea of returning to the sport. But one month ago, he and his reps suddenly announced a comeback was on the horizon.

“The desire to fight in my blood,” Emelianenko explained. “I’m in the sport for 11 years, my whole life is training and competition. Over the years, there has been a thirst not only to participate in battles, but also to transfer their knowledge and skills. After consulting with trainers, with the support of the family, I decided to return.”

A return in the UFC’s octagon would, of course, be a sight many in the sport thought they’d never see. But for now, only Emelianenko is talking about his career.

For once, the promoters are quiet.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.