Dave Mandel-USA TODAY Sports
Fedor Emelianenko and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will meet at Bellator Japan on December 29th.
After almost a year away from the cage, MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko will return to fight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the main event of Bellator’s upcoming card in Japan this December.
Bellator CEO Scott Coker announced the fight news on social media Wednesday. A fight that many wanted to see when both men fought under the Pride banner over a decade ago, Emelianenko will be stepping into the cage at 43-years of age, meanwhile Jackson turned 41 this year.
As announced on the press release, Bellator will be working with Rizin on the event
Since signing with Bellator in 2017, Emelianenko (38-6, 1NC) has gone 2-2 in the promotion. Starting with a loss to Matt Mitrione at Bellator NYC, “The Last Emperor” then scored consecutive first-round knockouts against Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen. Most recently, the Russian lost in 35-seconds to Ryan Bader in the final of the Bellator heavyweight grand prix.
Jackson (38-13) has only fought twice in the last two years. At Bellator 206 last year, he knocked out Wanderlei Silva in their trilogy fight, before that he dropped out of the heavyweight grand prix in the quarter finals with a decision loss to Sonnen.
Bellator Japan will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan on December 29th. The card will air live on DAZN.