Bellator MMA is headed to unchartered territory with a very familiar fighter taking center stage.
On Friday, Bellator president Scott Coker held a press conference to announce that Fedor Emelianenko will headline the promotion's first-ever event in his home of Moscow, Russia on October 23. The event will take place at the VTB Arena in Moscow, although Bellator has yet to name an opponent who will step into the cage with the MMA legend that day.
"This is a big moment for our company," Coker said during the press conference. "It's going to be the inaugural Bellator event, led by Fedor, there in Moscow."
Added Emelianenko: "The Russian fans are very excited for Bellator to come to Moscow. We have a lot of fans worldwide and the fans are just as excited to see Bellator as the fighters are excited to show their skills in a Russian arena."
The timing is apt, considering Bellator currently touts Russian fighters Yaroslav Amosov as its welterweight champion and Vadim Nemkov as its light heavyweight champ. Meanwhile, Russian fighter Valentin Moldavsky is stepping into the cage Friday night to face Tim Johnson with the interim heavyweight title on the line.
If any of those fighters join Emelianenko for this Oct. 23 card, it will surely delight MMA fans in Moscow further.
Since joining Bellator in 2017, Emelianenko, 44, has gone 3-2, with victories over Frank Mir, Chael Sonnen and most recently Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in December 2019. His losses have come against Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader — both by knockout.
Altogether, the legendary warrior has produced a 39-6 record with one no-contest.