It has been well over five years since Fedor Emelianenko was required to pass a pre-fight drug test. Though the ‘Last Emperor’ competed as recently as June 2016, Russian MMA promotions do not have established doping policies and do not require any form of testing ahead of fights. However, given that Emelianenko’s next fight will take place under the Bellator MMA banner in San Jose, California, he will once again be subjected to the testing process.

The promotion’s president, Scott Coker, confirmed to state-run Russian news outlet TASS.ru that "doping tests will be carried out by the athletic commission."

Emelianenko is scheduled to meet fellow heavyweight Matt Mitrione in the main event of an upcoming Bellator show. While under a multi-fight deal with the promotion, Fedor is not exclusively bound to Bellator and is free to pursue other opportunities.

The Fedor vs. Mitrione fight is scheduled to take place on February 18 in San Jose, California.