Having fought in multiple organizations throughout the world, mixed martial arts veteran and former pound-for-pound great Fedor Emelianenko may be calling it a career following his next bout.
The former Pride FC heavyweight champion told Russian website RIA Novosti earlier this week that he may consider retiring after facing former UFC heavyweight Pedro Rizzo in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 21.
Despite being 38 years old, Emelianenko still considers the Brazilian to be one of the top heavyweights in the sport today.
“I think it’s time to call it a day. This fight may be my last one,” Emelianenko said.
Widely considered the greatest heavyweight fighter in MMA history, the Russian has established a legacy of being a durable and well-rounded fighter, going undefeated for nearly a decade.
However, after going 1-3 in Strikeforce, Emelianenko was released from his contract and has since gone on to defeat veterans such as Jeff Monson and Satoshi Ishii.
Meanwhile, Rizzo has won his last three bouts, earning victories over Monson, Gary Goodridge and Ken Shamrock.
If Emelianenko does indeed retire, his legacy will be intact, but fans may never know how “The Last Emperor” would have fared against some of the top contenders in the UFC.
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