Scott Coker expects Fedor Emilianenko to fight in 2021

Fedor Emilianenko wants two more fights before hanging up his gloves. And while Bellator president Scott Coker would prefer that the former PRIDE legend fight in front of a crowd, he understands that this may not be possible with many governments implementing stricter COVID-19 restrictions.

“We’d really like him to fight when there’s an audience available, but that can be challenging,” Coker said in a post-fight news conference following Bellator 252. “He’s going to fight in 2021 for sure, no matter what, because he has to fight and he’s got to keep going.”

The Russian has no intention of retiring just yet, and has even been pushing for a fight. Coker noted: “He calls me all the time and says, ‘When am I going to fight?’”

Emilianenko, who recently turned 44, last fought in December of last year, finishing fellow PRIDE legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the first round at Bellator 237. Prior to that, he lost to Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader at Bellator 214, in the final of the promotion’s heavyweight grand prix.