Fedor Emelianenko, the heavyweight legend who recently announced his return to MMA competition, could face converted kickboxer Jaideep Singh in Japan on Dec. 31.
That's according to a report Tuesday from Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting, who cited "sources with knowledge of the fight." A formal announcement is expected Thursday.
The fight will take place under the banner of a newly created and as-yet-unnamed promotion manned by Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the combat-sports impresario behind the defunct but well-loved Pride organization.
The event will air in the United States through a partnership with Spike TV. Spike's parent company, Viacom, also owns the Bellator MMA promotion. Though Emelianenko will apparently not fight directly for Bellator, he has previously served as a fan ambassador for the promotion. Bellator CEO Scott Coker announced Emelianenko's return Sept. 20 during the airing of Bellator 142.
Get ready, because tonight at #DYNAMITE1, we'll be making an announcement that will change the landscape of MMA
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 20, 2015
As an opponent, Singh is a dangerous kickboxer but a very green MMA fighter, sporting a meager record of 1-0 in the latter. His only pro MMA fight came in 2013 and was a first-round TKO win in the India-based Super Fight League promotion.
However, Singh has high-level experience in kickboxing, where he has faced off against standouts like Gokhan Saki and MMA veteran Sergei Kharitonov.
Still, there is no question Emelianenko (34-4-1) will be the heavy favorite in the bout, which will probably be widely viewed as a layup for the 39-year-old former Pride champion for his return to competition after a three-and-a-half-year retirement.
The Russian legend went undefeated in MMA for more than 10 years but then lost three straight in the twilight of his career. He won two straight over mediocre opponents before retiring.
It will certainly be interesting to see how Fedor handles Singh upon his much-anticipated return to action on New Year's Eve.
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