Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (31-4, 1NC) will attempt to end a three fight losing skid in November when he faces long time mma vet Jeff ‘The Snowman’ Monson (42-12) in Russia.
M-1 Global Pres Vadim Finkelstein announced last weekend that ‘The Last Emporer’ would avoid retirement by fighting again in his native homeland in “late fall”.
Monson confirmed that was to be Fedor’s upcoming opponent for the event on Twitter (@JeffMonson) late Tuesday evening.
– Nov 12th vs Fedor in Russia M-1 confirmed
‘The Snowman’ also noted that he will be in Russia for the 16th of September for a press conference to officially announce the bout, and that Russian leader Vladimir Putin would also be present.
Fedor was recently released by Strikeforce after his third straight loss, this most recent defeat came at the hands of Dan Henderson on July 30. The other two losses include stoppages by Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva and Fabricio Werdum, while the only victory in a Strikeforce cage came against Brett Rogers back in November 2009.
Monson has been trying to work his way back into the spotlight, having an eight fight win streak ended by Daniel Cormier in June at the Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum show. That bout marked his Strikeforce debut, which saw him lose to the, now Grand Prix tournament semi-finalist, by unanimous decision. Monson was a late replacement for Shane del Rosario at the Dallas show.