Fedor Reports He Plans To Retire Soon

[No More Sorrow]

Fedor Emelianenko recently held a press conference in advance of his June 21 fight Pedro Rizzo at the Ice Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. He announced that he will be retiring soon.

Fedor has decided to retire


Fedor Emelianenko announced that he plans to soon close his career as a fighter, reports the online edition of Sports.Ru. He did not say exactly when he will leave the sport.


In the future Emelianenko is going to coach young people, but will not open his own school.


Emelianenko will be rooting for Josh Barnett, who will meet with Daniel Cormier on May 19 in the Strikeforce Grand Prix tournament finals. He said it was unlikely he would fight against the winner, because of his own plans for retirement.

Doubt this very much to be honest, he's going to spend at least another 2 or 3 years fighting bums.

 

[Deezy]

Should've retired in 07.

 

[The Cork]

Of course he ain't gonna retire, the shady Russian mafia guys in M1 are gonna keep putting him out like a circus act until theres nobody left to fight.

 

[Ben]

He's basically already retired, fighting bums overseas on cards no one cares about.

Still see UFC somehow getting a one fight deal done with him though either this year or next.

 

[Slim]

He's probably still banking on getting at least one fight in the UFC before he retires which is why it is going to be "soon." Can't really put a time table on soon.

 

[Troy]

Bit late for him to retire, would have been better for him to retire with that massive win streak in tact. Hopefully the stars align and he has at least one UFC fight before he does decide to hang up the gloves. Would be a poor way to end his career fighting nobodies and not having fought in the biggest MMA company.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Here's what Fedor has to say about UFC + Dana White

White often unflattering comments about the "last emperor" in the media, stressing that the UFC has lost interest in the Russian fighter.

"I would not want to work with people who behave outrageously. In public, he makes some statements out - others. I often went to the people UFC, bypassing my manager Vadim Finkelstein. I refused because I do not want to work without Vadim. I think White should change attitude towards people, maybe then people will be pulled for him, "- said Emelianenko.

There was more to this interview but it was in Russian and this was the only part of the interview that was in English, i tried to use a translator as well and had no luck.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Fedor Reveals Retirement Plans After Next Fight;

After much speculation, Fedor Emelianenko is calling it a career.


Following his June 21 bout against Pedro Rizzo in St. Petersburg, Russia, Fedor will hang up his gloves for the final time.


“June 21 will be the last fight of my career,” Fedor said, according to iSport.ua.


Fedor ruled the Japanese mixed martial arts scene, dominating many of the best heavyweights in the world during his tenure under the Pride banner.


He defeated the likes of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Semmy Schilt, and others, while many were at or near the peak of their respective careers.


After Pride was purchased by the owners of the UFC and eventually shuttered, Fedor moved on, first to the fledgling Affliction promotion, then on to Strikeforce, where he stuttered to a 1-3 record during his two-year stint there.


Once regarded as the top heavyweight fighter on the planet, Fedor was strongly pursued by the UFC, but the MMA juggernaut and Fedor’s management, M-1 Global, could never see eye-to-eye.


Fedor has fought twice since exiting Strikeforce, winning a decision over Jeff Monson and knocking out Satoshi Ishii.


He will close out his career against Pedro Rizzo on June 21 on his home turf.

May 18, 2012 - "The Last Emperor" is nearing his last days.


Fedor Emelianenko, the Russian heavyweight who UFC president Dana White acknowledges as the only major name that he's never been able to sign, says he will call it quits following his June 21 fight against Pedro Rizzo.


He made the statement in an interview on Russian language television.


Ukrainian MMA journalist Artem Yalanskiy provided MMA Fighting with a translation of the key exchange of the interview.


"My previous fight was in Moscow and my last fight will be in St. Petersburg on June 21st," Emelianenko says. "It will be the last fight in my career."


"Is this your final decision?" the interviewer asks.


"Yes," Emelianenko says, "I think it's time to end my career."


Emelianenko said the primary reason for his retirement is to spend more time with his family, but he also mentioned the mounting toll of injuries from a career spent in MMA and sambo.


The quiet 35-year-old has been one of the controversial figures in recent MMA history by those who have argued his place in the sport. Many believe him to be the greatest heavyweight of all time, while others have suggested him to be an overhyped product of favorable matchmaking.


His heyday, which was undeniably during the early-to-mid 2000s, can hardly be questioned. At that time, he was considered by most observers to be the top fighter in the world after beating standouts like Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman, and most notably, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria, who was the top heavyweight prior to him.


He also beat Mirko Filipovic during "Cro Cop's" best days.


By the time PRIDE folded, Emelianenko was the most wanted free agent in MMA, but despite the UFC's rise, the two sides could never come to terms despite multiple negotiations.


Emelianenko lost only once in his first 33 pro fights, and shortly after Brock Lesnar won his UFC championship, UFC president Dana White went on his last recruiting effort for Emelianenko. If he could have signed him, the fight would have likely taken place at the massive, 80,000-seat Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas and certainly would have headlined a blockbuster pay-per-view, but just like every other time the two sides got in a room, they failed to hammer out a deal.


Instead, Emelianenko and his M-1 management team signed with Strikeforce. He won his first fight there, but in his next time out, was upset by Fabricio Werdum, marking his first loss in nearly 10 years. Losses to Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson marked three in a row for him, and he parted ways with Strikeforce.


Since then, he's fought twice, beating Jeff Monson and Satoshi Ishii.


His fight with Rizzo is booked, but it appears to be the last time Emelianenko will ever compete as a professional fighter.

 

[Chase]

Fedor waited to long. I mean sucks he lost in strikeforce, and lost to Old Man Hendo. Oh well glad he is done hope his name will finally rest.

 

[Slim]

Well Old Man Hendo is still actually very very good so not such a bad thing to lose to him. But losing to Antonio Silva the way he did... that was bad.