Bellator not interested in Fedor Emelianenko for now

There has been some buzz in the mixed martial arts community since it was reported earlier this summer that all-time great Fedor Emelianenko was ready to make a comeback.

Immediately, there was speculation that the heavyweight legend would be choosing between the UFC and Bellator as the stage for his return, but it appears that it may only be a one-horse face to land his services.

In a recent interview with MMAjunkie.com, Bellator CEO Scott Coker, who previously worked with Emelianenko during his time with Strikeforce, said that his promotion is not currently interested in pursuing the free agent.

“We’ve got a great roster and a great thing going,” he said. “When he comes back into the market, I feel like he’s going to come back for three or four years. He’s not going to come back for one fight. And he is coming back – for sure. … But I’m not sure where he’s going – if he’s close to signing with the UFC, I hear rumors of this and that. I haven’t asked him.

“Let’s let him come back and see how it works out for him, and then maybe we’ll have him fight a couple years down the line, or next year, or whatever. The door is open, but I felt like at this point, Bellator is kind of on a little bit of a roll here. Would he add a lot of value? Yes. But we’re just going to sit back and see what happens.”

Without Bellator in the mix, it appears that the UFC will be the clear favorite to land Emelianenko.

Just when he will make his return remains to be seen, but there has been plenty of discussion about the heavyweight making his Octagon debut at the monumental UFC 200 event next July.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Esther Lin – Strikeforce

Bellator 141 weigh-in results and video
Bellator 141 weigh-in results and video