Fedor Emelianenko still without opponent 1 month from return
You might recall heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko announcing his return to MMA in September. The logical question to follow the announcement was who would have the honor of welcoming him back to the sport.
With Rizin FF's first show scheduled for New Year's Eve, promoter Nobuyuki Sakakibara still doesn't have an answer to that question.
"So far, we have not decided on the final decision," said Sakakibara to Tass.ru, according to Karim Zidan of BloodyElbow.com. "There are a number of candidates before us, but we want to choose the most worthy. Now the whole world is watching the news hoping to learn at last the name of Fedor's opponent.
"Please wait a little more."
The former PRIDE president has avoided specifics, though initial rumors involved Indian-Japanese kickboxer Jaideep Singh, and two-time Emelianenko foe Tsuyoshi Kosaka.
While Singh would be a fresh matchup for Emelianenko, his candidacy was apparently derailed by a poor showing in front of Rizin officials in his most recent fight.
Kosaka had a fluke victory over Emelianenko in 2000 as a result of an accidental cut. "The Last Emperor" would go on to win a rematch, part of a nine-year stretch where he went undefeated in 28 straight fights.
Rather than complete the trilogy, Kosaka will face veteran James Thompson on the same card.