Fedor Emelianenko will face Timothy Johnson at Bellator’s first ever show in Russia on October 23, as first reported by Igor Lazorin.
The show will be held in the VTB Arena in Moscow. Emelianenko’s last fight was against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Bellator 237 in Saitama, Japan, in December 2019, winning by knockout in the first round.
Emelianenko revealed he has two fights remaining on his Bellator deal during a press conference in June. Since signing with the company in 2016, he has amassed a 3-2 record.
Johnson, who has a 15-7 career record, is second in Bellator’s heavyweight rankings. He lost his last fight against Valentin Moldavsky, a protégé of Emelianenko, for the interim Bellator Heavyweight World Championship at Bellator 261 on June 25.
Wrestling fans will remember Emelianenko from his victory against New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Yuji Nagata in December 2003.
All Elite Wrestling’s Jake Hager had been campaigning to fight Emelianenko.
I said it in 2019, and I’ll say it again!!
— Jake Hager (@RealJakeHager) July 12, 2021
This is my Fight !!
when @fedoremelianenkoofficial signed his deal w @bellatormma on July 8, 2019 I knew our paths were gonna collide.
America ????????vs Mother Russia ????????
THIS is the fight fans want to see.
Let’s go! Oct 23rd@bellatormma pic.twitter.com/xh1rNPo9aQ