Nobuyuki Sakakibara and Fedor Emelianenko SAN JOSE, Calif. – Fedor Emelianenko , once regarded by many as the best fighter on the planet, has once again been the subject of rampant speculation. The 38-year-old has been planning a return to MMA after a 2012 retirement, leading many to suggest that the Russian fighting legend could finally make his way to the UFC. That, however, is not the case – at least not yet. Former PRIDE president Nobuyuki Sakakibara appeared on Saturday’s Spike broadcast of Bellator 142 to announce that he will return to the world of MMA, and his new promotion’s first event will take place New Year’s Eve in Tokyo. Emelianenko (34-4), who built his legend as the dominant, long-reigning heavyweight champion in PRIDE, will compete in the main event of the card, and Spike will have exclusive U.S. rights to the broadcast.
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Fedor Emelianenko returns to MMA for new Japanese promotion – on Spike – MMA Junkie