Heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko reportedly training for return to MMA

Fedor Emelianenko

A little more than three years ago, heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko hung up his gloves.

And this past fall, the Russian nixed any talk of a comeback, telling Michael Schiavello on “The Voice vs. Fedor” on AXS TV that he was through.

“I already fought my share,” Emelianenko told Schiavello in the interview. “God gave me a rich and eventful career. I gave God everything. I’m done fighting. Only God’s will (can bring me back).”

Well, according to a report from Russian MMA news outlet Union MMA, it appears God is willing 38-year-old Emelianenko back into fighting.

“For every athlete it is very important to be able to engage in their favorite thing: give all the best in training, performing in competitions, defending the honor of the motherland,” Emelianenko told the site. “… But now I feel that it is time to return to the ring. I was able to recover and heal old wounds. The last three years I have maintained the physical form, but this level is not enough to go into battle.

“Therefore recently I started intensive training. We have assembled a team of versatile coaches and athletes who will help me in the training process. … Negotiations are underway with (promotions). Once agreements are reached, there will be information on the date of the fight and (opponent).”

Emelianenko (34-4) most recently fought in June 2012 under the M-1 Global banner and knocked out Pedro Rizzo. He retired after the fight on a three-fight winning streak, which reversed a three-fight skid for Strikeforce.

After going more than 10 years without a loss, he suffered a submission loss to Fabricio Werdum in June 2010 for his first defeat in 30 fights. In 2011, he then suffered back-to-back losses to Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson.

His three-fight winning streak to close his career came against Jeff Monson, Satoshi Ishii and Rizzo.

But what Emelianenko is perhaps remembered for as much as anything is something he didn’t do, and that’s fight in the UFC. The two infamously negotiated, but never could come to an agreement.

Two and a half years ago, UFC President Dana White said the promotion was close to signing him for a fight at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas against Brock Lesnar. But that never came to fruition.

More recently, Emelianenko has been making appearances with UFC rival Bellator doing fan autograph signings and meet-and-greets.

For more on the Bellator and UFC schedules, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.