One of the MMA’s most nefarious competitors – and the brother of all-time heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko – could be returning to the cage much, much sooner than expected.
PRIDE FC veteran Alexander Emelianenko, who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison last year when he was convicted of sexual assault, kidnapping by withholding a passport, and the forced use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances on Polina Stepanova, will be released three years early according to a report from Interfax.ru via Bloody Elbow. Apparently Emelianenko was released on parole for “good behavior,” and will complete “two years and 23 days of correctional labor with a 10% deduction of the convict’s salary going to the state.”
Emelianenko’s lawyer Kakhaben Dolbadze confirmed that the court had granted the petition for release of his client, who remains in a penal colony awaiting his freedom.
The news comes as surprising, due to Stepanova’s insistence that her rape at the hands of Emelianenko has ruined her life, with his friends constantly harassing her. The incident occurred when she was was working as a housekeeper in his house, where Emelianenko allegedly stole her passport and forced her to perform sex acts after force-feeding her drugs. Emelianenko plead not guilty to all charges, insisting that his sexual contact with Stepanova was “consensual.”
His lawyer voiced support for Emelianenko’s hopeful return to MMA on Facebook:
“I hope he learned the right lessons from the difficult situation. He has revised his views on standards of conduct in society. And, with the dignity of a true champion, will rise after a knockout. Today he should be released on parole, and I wish him to throw out his incredible power only in a sports ring, praising the strength of character and the Russian sport!”
Fedor’s younger brother maintained a powerful presence in the cage, compiling a 20-4 overall record in promotions like PRIDE and M-1 Global. He shouldn’t have much trouble finding a fight in his native Russia, where he remains a marketable name.
However, with his incredibly controversial past and a sexual assault conviction on his record, it’s hard to see him finding work anywhere else.
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