izvestia.ru

Opponent of Fedor Emelianenko will be replaced

The debut fight of a Russian in Bellator will take place in June or July of this year

American promoter Bellator is looking for a new rival for the legendary Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. In February 2017, the Last Emperor was to conduct a duel against the American Matt Mitrion, but a few hours before the start of the fight, the opponent of Emelyanenko senior got into the hospital with acute pain in the kidneys. As a result, the organizers of the tournament postponed the meeting of heavyweights for a later period, stating that the battle of Emelianenko-Mithrion would take place in any case and the composition of its participants would not change.

However, according to Izvestia, Emelianenko will make his debut in Bellator all the same against another opponent.

"The leadership of the organization will not organize the fight between Fedor and Mitryon," the source said. - There are two reasons for this. First, the timing of Matt's recovery is not defined. It is not known whether he will be able to fully gain shape. Secondly, for the promotion is unprofitable to re-spin this fight. It is more expedient to find another opponent for Fedor. For today, there are three potential opponents - Rampage Jackson, Joe Bertrand and Cheick Congo. Most likely, the choice will be made between these fighters. In the heavy division, in addition to Emelyanenko, there are two more representatives of our country - Sergey Kharitonov and Vitaly Minakov. But the leadership of the organization immediately stated that it would not consider them as opponents of Fedor.

The press service of Bellator for "Izvestia" said that the organization is not ready to comment on the forthcoming replacement of rival Emelianenko, but did not rule out such a development.

- If the restoration of Mithrion really drags on, it can not be ruled out that another opponent will be picked up for Fedor, - the official representative of Bellator commented. - In any case, for the time being such conversations are premature.

Despite such a statement by Bellator, Izvestia's source claims that the replacement of an opponent for the Last Emperor is a decided deal.

"They may not voice this, but the fact remains that there will not be a duel between Emelianenko and Mitrion," Izvestia's interlocutor said.

Coach Russian Vladimir Voronov said that a possible replacement of the opponent will not be a problem for Emelianenko.

"If Fedor is replaced with an opponent, it will not be a huge problem for us," Voronov told Izvestia. - We are ready to confront with any opponent, which will provide the organization.