Fedor Emelianenko hasn’t competed in a professional MMA fight since 2019. The veteran MMA fighter has been fighting for over 2 decades and is a bonafide legend of the sport. The fighter last competed at Bellator 237 against Quinton Jackson and won via first-round TKO. Since then, many people have been speculating as to when the fighter will return to action. Now, a recent tweet by popular MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has revealed some news relating to the fighter’s comeback. He wrote, “Fedor Emelianenko is expected to announce tomorrow that he is returning to action later this year, sources say. Opponent TBD. Slated for October. The 44-year-old legend hasn’t fought since his December 2019 win over Rampage Jackson. Presser set for 11 am et.” Watch This Story: From a two-time Olympic gold medalist to a three division boxing champion- Vasyl Lomachenko’s journey [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/mma-ufc-news-from-a-two-time-olympic-gold-medallist-to-a-three-division-boxing-champion--vasyl-lomachenkos-journey/] When ‘The Last Emperor’ fought against Jackson, he was 42 years old. Therefore, following his victory, many speculated that this could be the last time we see the legendary fighter compete. However, this latest news has come as a ray of hope to the fans of Emelianenko as now we can hope to see the fighter back in action soon. LOOKING BACK AT THE MMA CAREER OF FEDOR EMELIANENKO Many present MMA fans would not know how great of a fighter Emelianenko. Therefore, a look back at the fighter’s exceptional MMA record is worth looking back on. ‘The Last Emperor’ first competed in his first professional MMA fight back in 2000. He fought Martin Lazarov at the Rings Russia: Russia vs Bulgaria event. Emelianenko won that fight via a first-round submission and started an MMA career that would last over 2 decades. Emelianenko [https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fedor-Emelianenko-1500] fought four more times in 2000, winning thrice and losing just once. The legendary fighter went on to win many championships and accolades throughout his career. The most notable among them was him being the Pride Fighting Championships (Heavyweight champion) from 2003 to 2007. Now the fighter is 44 years old, however, going by his last fight we can see that fighter still has the talent to compete against anyone in the MMA world. Therefore, we as fans are eager to watch ‘The Last Emperor’ back in action. McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3 [https://www.essentiallysports.com/mma-ufc-news-dana-white-makes-huge-announcement-for-fans-ahead-of-ufc-264-conor-mcgregor-vs-dustin-poirier-3/] 

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani recently shared some information about when MMA
veteran Fedor Emelianenko will return to action.

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BREAKING: 44 Year Old Fedor Emelianenko Announces Return to MMA- Will Rejoin
Bellator

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<h2><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-335454" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200807182845/bellatot-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="630" /></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">History</h2>
Bellator MMA is one of the world's largest mixed martial arts promotions and is recognised as the closest competitor to the UFC. The term Bellator has its origin in Latin language which translates to 'warrior' in English.

Bjorn Rebney founded the company in 2008 and ran it until 2014, before departing and handing the reins to Scott Coker. Presently, the company has successfully hosted 242 numbered events. 
<h2><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-257245" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200425201918/cokr.jpg" alt="Scott Coker" width="1200" height="675" /></h2>
The former Strikeforce executive made the move after his contract with Zuffa expired. Following Coker’s arrival, Bellator MMA pivoted to a more traditional North American approach to the sport. This is a <a href="https://www.si.com/mma/2014/09/04/scott-coker-bellator-format-changing">departure</a> from the organization's tournament format during its initial phase. 
<h2>Bellator's tournament format</h2>
Bellator MMA has played host to a variety of tournaments under its older format, with 11 seasons of Bellator Fighting Championship held in 4 years from 2009 to 2014. The tournaments saw fighters of specific weight classes compete for a shot at the divisional title. 

Also in 2013, the promotion aired a single-season series called <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/4/23/4257460/bellator-books-june-19-summer-series-start-with-king-mo-reality-show">Fight Master: Bellator MMA</a> where Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren served as coaches. 

Like all American martial arts organizations, the rules for fights in the Bellator promotion are exactly the same with eye gouges and groin strikes deemed as illegal offenses for which fighters can incur point penalties or be disqualified. 

Along with MMA, Bellator has a kickboxing promotion which has hosted 12 events since its <a href="http://www.bellator.com/articles/43lpt8/scott-coker-launches-bellator-kickboxing">inception</a> in 2016.
<h2>Some big names who are part of Bellator MMA</h2>
At present, the company is home to some of the biggest MMA names including former UFC Champions like Cris Cyborg, Frank Mir, and Lyoto Machida. Current Bellator Champions include Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima, Patricio Freire, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Additionally, the promotion is home to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, and Cat Zingano.

[caption id="attachment_256194" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]<img class="wp-image-256194 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200423224443/patricio-freire-bellator-221-4.png" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /> Patricio Freire after becoming a two-division Bellator MMA champion[/caption]

Currently, there are 7 divisions for male fighters in Bellator. These are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The promotion offers 2 divisions for its female talent at Featherweight and flyweight. 
<h2>List of Champions at Bellator MMA</h2>
Bellator MMA has 5 <a href="http://www.bellator.com/fighters">world champions</a> across 9 divisions. 2 fighters are double champions and 2 divisional titles are vacant at present. 

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-335406" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200807180128/cris-c.jpg" alt="Cris Cyborg" width="1200" height="800" />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Division</td>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Date Won</td>
<td>Title Defenses</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Heavyweight</td>
<td>Ryan Bader</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/m3b3su/bellator-214-fedor-vs-bader">January 26, 2019</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2335530/ryan-bader">1</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Light Heavyweight</td>
<td>Ryan Bader</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/65su78/bellator-180-davis-vs-bader">June 24, 2017</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middleweight</td>
<td>Vacant</td>
<td>Since February 10, 2020</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Welterweight</td>
<td>Douglas Lima</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/a7efkd/bellator-232-macdonald-vs-lima-2">October 26,2019</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2500691/douglas-lima">0</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lightweight</td>
<td>Patricio Freire</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/jjumh6/bellator-221-chandler-vs-pitbull">May 11, 2019</a></td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Featherweight</td>
<td>Patricio Freire</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/8t7jed/bellator-178-straus-vs-pitbull-4">April 21,2017</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2532870/patricio-freire">3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bantamweight</td>
<td>Vacant</td>
<td>Since November 27, 2019</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Women’s Featherweight</td>
<td>Cris Cyborg</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/5r5vxq/bellator-238-budd-vs-cyborg">January 25, 2020</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2354564/cris-cyborg">0</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Women’s Flyweight</td>
<td>Ilima-Lei Macfarlane</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/v1400o/bellator-186-bader-vs-vassell">November 3,2017</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/3924103/ilima-lei-macfarlane">4</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Bellator MMA

History Bellator MMA is one of the world&#8217;s largest mixed martial arts promotions and is recognised as the closest competitor to the UFC. The term Bellator has its origin in Latin language which translates to &#8216;warrior&#8217; in English. Bjorn Rebney founded the company in 2008 and ran it until 2014, before departing and handing the reins to Scott Coker. Presently, the company has successfully hosted 242 numbered events.  The former Strikeforce executive made the move after his contract with Zuffa expired. Following Coker’s arrival, Bellator MMA pivoted to a more traditional North American approach to the sport. This is a departure from the organization&#8217;s tournament format during its initial phase.  Bellator&#8217;s tournament format Bellator MMA has played host to a variety of tournaments under its older format, with 11 seasons of Bellator Fighting Championship held in 4 years from 2009 to 2014. The tournaments saw fighters of specific weight classes compete for a shot at the divisional title.  Also in 2013, the promotion aired a single-season series called Fight Master: Bellator MMA where Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren served as coaches.  Like all American martial arts organizations, the rules for fights in the Bellator promotion are exactly the same with eye gouges and groin strikes deemed as illegal offenses for which fighters can incur point penalties or be disqualified.  Along with MMA, Bellator has a kickboxing promotion which has hosted 12 events since its inception in 2016. Some big names who are part of Bellator MMA At present, the company is home to some of the biggest MMA names including former UFC Champions like Cris Cyborg, Frank Mir, and Lyoto Machida. Current Bellator Champions include Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima, Patricio Freire, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Additionally, the promotion is home to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, and Cat Zingano. Patricio Freire after becoming a two-division Bellator MMA champion Currently, there are 7 divisions for male fighters in Bellator. These are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The promotion offers 2 divisions for its female talent at Featherweight and flyweight.  List of Champions at Bellator MMA Bellator MMA has 5 world champions across 9 divisions. 2 fighters are double champions and 2 divisional titles are vacant at present.    Division Name Date Won Title Defenses  Heavyweight Ryan Bader January 26, 2019 1  Light Heavyweight Ryan Bader June 24, 2017 1  Middleweight Vacant Since February 10, 2020 &#8211;  Welterweight Douglas Lima October 26,2019 0  Lightweight Patricio Freire May 11, 2019 0  Featherweight Patricio Freire April 21,2017 3  Bantamweight Vacant Since November 27, 2019 0  Women’s Featherweight Cris Cyborg January 25, 2020 0  Women’s Flyweight Ilima-Lei Macfarlane November 3,2017 4

Bellator MMA Archives

Bellator MMA Archives - EssentiallySports

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MMA journalist Ariel Helwani recently shared some information about when MMA veteran Fedor Emelianenko will return to action.

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BREAKING: 44 Year Old Fedor Emelianenko Announces Return to MMA- Will Rejoin Bellator

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BREAKING: 44 Year Old Fedor Emelianenko Announces Return to MMA- Will Rejoin Bellator

Looking back at the MMA career of Fedor Emelianenko