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Heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko is interested in a rematch with Fabricio Werdum.
With Fabricio Werdum now officially a free agent, the former UFC heavyweight champion is looking to join Bellator MMA for a rematch with Fedor Emelianenko, who ‘Vai Cavalo’ submitted to snap ‘The Last Emperor’s’ legendary twenty seven fight win streak at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum in 2010.
Emelianenko, for his part, seems interested in the matchup but said the ball is in Bellator’s court.
“For myself, yes, I would like to fight him,” Emelianenko told MMA Junkie’s Nolan King in a recent interview. “Whether that’s a fight fans are interested in seeing or Bellator is interested in putting on, I don’t know that.”
Bellator CEO Scott Coker, who was instrumental in booking Fedor vs. Werdum in 2010, said he will sign Werdum and book the rematch if that’s what Emelianenko wants.
“I love Fabricio, and it’s something really that’s Fedor’s decision,” Coker said. “One of the things I’m going to talk to Fedor (about) tonight is, ‘Is this an important fight for you?’ Whatever he says, then we’ll go make it happen. If it’s an important fight to him, then we’ll probably put it together. If not, it doesn’t mean we won’t still pursue Fabricio.
“The fight with him and Fedor would be something that, if it was an important revenge-type scenario for Fedor in his mind and something that still eats at him every day, then it would be something we’d be interested in.”
Emelianenko, who hasn’t fought since his first-round TKO win over ‘Rampage’ Jackson at Bellator 214, is in no rush for the matchup but is willing to fight in an empty arena.
“I don’t necessarily feel a sense of urgency, but I also don’t want to wait too long, either,” he said. “If there are no people in the audience then the TV audience is that much larger. It doesn’t take away from the fight. Eyeballs are still watching.”