Belfort not ruling out return for chance to face Fedor

An MMA fighter as decorated and experienced as Vitor Belfort doesn't just completely walk away from the cage - at least, not the first time.

The 41-year-old Brazilian offered a rather confusing statement earlier this week, saying that Saturday against Lyoto Machida would be his last fight, but also insisting he's not retiring. What that seems to mean is that there are a few names that would attract him back into the Octagon, including Fedor Emelianenko.

Belfort told Combate he would consider returning after Saturday's card to face the Russian MMA icon for the right amount of money. In fact, he recalled he was once scheduled to take on Emelianenko, according to Bloody Elbow's Lucas Rezende.

"Fedor, that’s a fight that was supposed to happen back in Affliction," Belfort said. "I think he was supposed to fight Josh Barnett, who pulled out, and I was supposed to fight Jorge Santiago. So, they asked me if I wanted to fight Fedor and I said 'of course', but it didn't happen.

"Fedor is a legend as well. It would've been so cool to fight him, it was a personal challenge. He was in his prime, he had never lost before. People told me I was crazy, but I told them to be cool; I was known for being a crazy dude since I was little. There's lots of money in Russia now, there won't be a lack of money to pay for this fight."

Belfort will take on Machida at middleweight on Saturday, but has competed before at light heavyweight and heavyweight, the latter of which has been Emelianenko's bracket through his entire career. Belfort last fought as a heavyweight in 2001, but a year or so away from fighting could add a few pounds before any potential return.