“The Last Emperor” is coming back. Fedor Emelianenko – 34-4, 10 KOs, 16 SUBs – widely considered the greatest heavyweight of all time, set the MMA world abuzz with his announcement that he was back in training and looking to return to competition. And guess what? He’s currently in talks with the UFC, who at one point offered him the richest contract in promotional history to fight inside the octagon.
There are no shortage of fighters who would love that bout, so it’s time to speculate a few matchups and odds projections.
THE FUN PRIDE REMATCH: MIRKO CRO COP
Projected BookMaker odds: Cro Cop at -200, Emelianenko at +160
Want to send Pride fanboys into a frenzy? How about a rematch of the fabled 2005 fight that Emelianenko took by unanimous decision? Pitting the Russian against Cro Cop would let him avoid the bigger guys he has trouble with, as well as give him a credible fight against a guy on a three-fight winning streak.
THE TITLE ELIMINATOR: ANDREI ARLOVSKI
Projected BookMaker odds: Arlovski at -250, Emelianenko at +200
The pair first met in 2009, and the Russian starched Arlovksi to notch an impressive first-round decision. But that was then, this is now. Arlovski has won five straight, including three in the UFC, to climb to No. 4 on the promotion’s rankings. He’s already publicly stated that he wants revenge, and his status as contender stamps could mean a title challenge for the winner.
THE IMMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT: FABRICIO WERDUM
Projected BookMaker odds: Werdum at -400, Emelianenko at +350
It was Werdum who brought down Fedor’s legend, handing him his first loss in 10 years by submitting the Russian on a 2010 Strikeforce card. A matchup against the Brazilian wouldn’t only be payback, it would crown Emelianenko as the new heavyweight champ. However, Werdum’s game has evolved by leaps and bounds in active competition since then, majorly tilting the odds in his favor.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: JUNIOR DOS SANTOS, STIPE MIOCIC
Projected BookMaker odds: Dos Santos at -500, Miocic at -500
There’s no backstory to market should the UFC pit Emelianenko against these current contenders. What’s worse is that these big men would put a beatdown on the 38-year old. Both Dos Santos and Miocic are ripped, 6’4”, 240-pound athletes with speed, power and skills. Fedor is 6’0” with a doughy 220-pound frame. He also hasn’t fought in three years.
When he was dominating Pride, most of the heavyweights were around the same size. But the UFC is filled with legit big men, not blown up light heavyweights. Should Fedor elect to keep fighting in the division, he’s at a distinct physical and athletic advantage, and that will be made clear if he fights somebody like Stipe Miocic.
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