Fedor Emelianenko is getting a championship alternative within the remaining struggle of his legendary profession.
CBS Sports activities’ Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri report that Emelianenko and reigning Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader are anticipated to headline Bellator 290, the upcoming occasion scheduled for Feb. 4, 2023, on the Kia Discussion board in Inglewood, California. Bellator 290 airs on CBS, which is the primary time the promotion will host an occasion on the community.
“We’ve got been working tirelessly on rising this model into the worldwide powerhouse it’s in the present day and a primetime slot on CBS has all the time been one among our key targets,” mentioned Bellator president Scott Coker in a press launch. “With a wholesome roster stuffed with lots of the world’s absolute best fighters, together with elite up-and-coming prospects and legends of the sport, I’m very excited to showcase this occasion on the most-watched community in America.”
Emelianenko and Bader have fought earlier than at Bellator 214, the place the ‘Final Emperor’ was knocked out by ‘Darth’ in 35 seconds within the Heavyweight World Grand Prix finals over three years in the past. Emelianenko rebounded with first-round KOs of Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Timothy Johnson at Bellator 237 and Bellator 269, respectively.
Following his win over Johnson, Emelianenko revealed that he had yet one more struggle on his present contract with Bellator and set his sights on a rematch with Bader.
Bader retained the heavyweight title in his first protection at Bellator 226 after Cheick Kongo might not proceed as a consequence of an unintended eye poke. The Energy MMA Group product dropped right down to gentle heavyweight for his subsequent protection of that title, solely to lose it to Vadim Nemkov by second-round TKO. The previous two-division champion would keep at 205 to compete within the Gentle Heavyweight World Grand Prix, however was taken out by Corey Anderson within the semifinals.
Bader returned to heavyweight in 2022, efficiently defending his title twice towards Valentin Moldavsky and the aforementioned Kongo.
Additionally introduced for Bellator 290 is a struggle between the winner of Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson 2 and Yoel Romero for the sunshine heavyweight championship.
