Former PRIDE FC heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko was recently hospitalized in Moscow, according to RT Sport, after contracting COVID-19. To date, more than 3.6 million coronavirus infections have been reported in Russia resulting in more than 66,000 deaths.
“Thanks to all who are genuinely concerned for my health,” Emelianenko said (translated by RT Sport). “I feel fine, I am going into recovery. I’m grateful to the doctors and medical staff for their care and hard work.”
Emelianenko, 44, has not competed since his technical knockout victory over fellow PRIDE export Quinton Jackson under the Bellator MMA back in late 2019. “The Last Emperor” is expected to return for the final fight of his combat sports career at some point later this year.
Despite a couple of high-profile losses to Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader, Emelianenko (39-6, 1 NC) is 8-2 over the last decade with six of those eight wins ending by way of knockout. Hopefully his next victory comes over COVID-19.