Anything continues to be possible in 2024, including Heavyweight legend rematches you might not need.
RCC Boxing (h/t Red Corner MMA) has reported that a rematch in boxing between mixed martial arts (MMA) legends, Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski, is in the works for a date and location to be determined. The match would happen in the RCC Boxing promotion if it comes to fruition, according to the report.
A rematch in the ring under boxing rules would be a fitting full-circle moment for Emelianenko and Arlovski as they first met inside the Affliction ring in January 2009. In one of Emelianenko’s greatest of many career highlights, he knocked out Arlovski in round one after “Pitbull” went for an ill-advised flying knee in the corner of the ring, catching a fist while airborne.
That loss snapped a strong five-fight winning streak for Arlovski that bled out of his first run with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and into Affliction and Elite XC. Arlovski, 45, lost his three fights after Emelianenko and looked to be headed towards retirement until he strung back together a winning streak and rejoined UFC where he stayed until June 2024. Arlovski lost a split decision to Martin Buday at UFC 303, finishing out his contract.
Emelianenko, 47, on the other hand, retired from MMA after a first round technical knockout loss in his rematch against Ryan Bader at Bellator 290 in February 2023 (watch highlights). Although “The Last Emperor” has maintained his in-cage days are firmly behind him, he’s teased entering the ring to box ever since that night. Meanwhile, Arlovski teased some big possibilities in life outside UFC the week after he fought Buday.