News Fedor Emelianenko is set to return later this year. Opponent TBD

careto said:
Quick question? aside from Khabib who are the biggest Russian MMA names? I know Ismailov is pretty popular but tied to ACA. Who else would bring the buzz to Russia?
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Biggest like -- mma fighter that can sold out an arena in big city or famous mma fighter?
I think Shlemenko, I've seen not so long ago journalist mentioned that 90 % of Russian mma fights has less views than his interviews and if I'm not wrong I've seen that one of his recent interviews gained like 900 000 views in a couple of days.
I think Yan was in some commercial on TV, so I guess if he was offered a contract, he is popular. Aleks Emelianenko, that kinda surprising, that with his actions and shit that he talk about others some people sees him as an average simple Russian man.
Mineev I think was in commercial and in an action movie and even on some TV shows (not sure).
But I mostly check Russian websites/social media related to mma to read some news/exclusive interviews so I might be wrong, who people follow and love on their social media.
Bellator was on free Russian TV since, like second season (I might be wrong)? Like, I think there is currently Sidelnikov, Nemkov bros, Tokov bros, Moldavsky and one or two other fighters from his team. I am sure Kharitonov is known and probably Minakov is too. Koreshkov is a pupil of Shlemenko. Add someone like Smotritskiy (that guy from Israel, he speaks Russian, his parents migrated from Russia to Israel and he trains/trained at this RCC related gym if I am not wrong). Fedor + his team + pupil of Shlemenko is good enough card already, I guess.
 
Xandros476 said:
Man I just want him to retire. My heart can’t take another loss to a fighter he would’ve mopped the floor with in his hay day
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Agreed - he's doing a pretty awesome job training young dudes. His stable of fighters is potentially the best in the world, but I fear he might succumb to some brain trauma in any of his future fights.
 
Feniamin said:
Biggest like -- mma fighter that can sold out an arena in big city or famous mma fighter?
I think Shlemenko, I've seen not so long ago journalist mentioned that 90 % of Russian mma fights has less views than his interviews and if I'm not wrong I've seen that one of his recent interviews gained like 900 000 views in a couple of days.
I think Yan was in some commercial on TV, so I guess if he was offered a contract, he is popular. Aleks Emelianenko, that kinda surprising, that with his actions and shit that he talk about others some people sees him as an average simple Russian man.
Mineev I think was in commercial and in an action movie and even on some TV shows (not sure).
But I mostly check Russian websites/social media related to mma to read some news/exclusive interviews so I might be wrong, who people follow and love on their social media.
Bellator was on free Russian TV since, like second season (I might be wrong)? Like, I think there is currently Sidelnikov, Nemkov bros, Tokov bros, Moldavsky and one or two other fighters from his team. I am sure Kharitonov is known and probably Minakov is too. Koreshkov is a pupil of Shlemenko. Add someone like Smotritskiy (that guy from Israel, he speaks Russian, his parents migrated from Russia to Israel and he trains/trained at this RCC related gym if I am not wrong). Fedor + his team + pupil of Shlemenko is good enough card already, I guess.
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Wow I never thought Shlememko would be that popular, particularly considering that he never fought in the UFC. I really hope Bellator goes all out and fills the card with quality Russians.
 
Dear God Fedor please just retire. You're 44 years old and your chin is gone. You're just tarnishing your legacy at this point and are no longer a draw.
 
careto said:
Wow I never thought Shlememko would be that popular, particularly considering that he never fought in the UFC. I really hope Bellator goes all out and fills the card with quality Russians.
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Lol, why? Bellator was on free Russian TV since 2012 (I found article in Russian with announcement) they broadcasted events live + replay later on Saturday. UFC was on TV since 2014 or 2015 and on the same channel as Bellator they lasted less than 2 years if I remember it right. Now they on another free TV channel, which I think shows less than 10 UFC events in a year and for example yesterday they showed only 3 last main card fights. But now both Bellator and UFC is on cable/satellite channels (and you can use Fight Pass).

So Bellator was earlier on Russian TV + their events was broadcasted for like 8 years. Plus, look at rosters -- UFC has like 25 guys from North Caucasus (those who holds Russian citizenship) while I think there is more fighters from Fedor Team on Bellator roster than from North Caucasus there. And not sure, but I think Chechens+Ingushs+Native Dagestani ethncities is like less than a 3 % of Russian population combined.

Also on that sport channel on which Bellator was broadcasted they were telling Bellator results during sports news while I think new about UFC results you can see only in Internet.

Also forgot to mention -- seems like Tajik fighters are popular -- Chorshanbiev brothers, Nurullo Aliev (his fight at AMC Fight Nights was rescheduled and the reason was so that his fans and fans of his opponent deserve to see it live when COVID restrictions allows more people to attend events), also seems like that Persian Dagestani guy is trending.
 
careto said:
Wow I never thought Shlememko would be that popular, particularly considering that he never fought in the UFC. I really hope Bellator goes all out and fills the card with quality Russians.
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lol
It's not that he's that popular. It's just that he gives interviews nearly each day, due to his friendship with one of the top MMA journalists in Russia. I'd say it gets into his head a bit - he often says how there's no other fighter like him, etc. I'd say he needs a major break from giving interviews.

Like... here is an interview he gave an hour ago - lol
 
Feniamin said:
Lol, why? Bellator was on free Russian TV since 2012 (I found article in Russian with announcement) they broadcasted events live + replay later on Saturday. UFC was on TV since 2014 or 2015 and on the same channel as Bellator they lasted less than 2 years if I remember it right. Now they on another free TV channel, which I think shows less than 10 UFC events in a year and for example yesterday they showed only 3 last main card fights. But now both Bellator and UFC is on cable/satellite channels (and you can use Fight Pass).

So Bellator was earlier on Russian TV + their events was broadcasted for like 8 years. Plus, look at rosters -- UFC has like 25 guys from North Caucasus (those who holds Russian citizenship) while I think there is more fighters from Fedor Team on Bellator roster than from North Caucasus there. And not sure, but I think Chechens+Ingushs+Native Dagestani ethncities is like less than a 3 % of Russian population combined.

Also on that sport channel on which Bellator was broadcasted they were telling Bellator results during sports news while I think new about UFC results you can see only in Internet.

Also forgot to mention -- seems like Tajik fighters are popular -- Chorshanbiev brothers, Nurullo Aliev (his fight at AMC Fight Nights was rescheduled and the reason was so that his fans and fans of his opponent deserve to see it live when COVID restrictions allows more people to attend events), also seems like that Persian Dagestani guy is trending.
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I guess Im pretty ignorant about the landscape of Russian MMA. I just figured since UFC is bigger their fighters would be more popular around the world, too. Also, because Khabib is such a big name, I thought other Russian UFC fighters like Yan, Mackachev, or Zabit would be quiet popular, too. Im a history professor but I was not aware about the different ethnicities in Russia or that the Dagestani ethnicity was such a small percentage. Good stuff, thanks for the info.
 
maximmm said:
lol
It's not that he's that popular. It's just that he gives interviews nearly each day, due to his friendship with one of the top MMA journalists in Russia. I'd say it gets into his head a bit - he often says how there's no other fighter like him, etc. I'd say he needs a major break from giving interviews.

Like... here is an interview he gave an hour ago - lol
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Any news on when he is fighting next?
 
careto said:
Quick question? aside from Khabib who are the biggest Russian MMA names? I know Ismailov is pretty popular but tied to ACA. Who else would bring the buzz to Russia?
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It's a shame Ismailov is tied to ACA, that Mineev fight doesn't look like it's gonna happen but the dude is one of the most charismatic guys in MMA.
 
careto said:
Big John mentioned the idea of Mirko CroCop and I must say, I love the idea. Is he still having health issues?
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Cro Cop is permanantely retired, didn't the doctors tell him he could be paralyzed due to his neck injuries if he has another fight
 
Feniamin said:
Biggest like -- mma fighter that can sold out an arena in big city or famous mma fighter?
Aleks Emelianenko, that kinda surprising, that with his actions and shit that he talk about others some people sees him as an average simple Russian man.
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Aleks, just the simple Russian man who rapes women. You are right tho, Aleks is popular but I think a lot of that is Fedor clout.
 
TorontoTO said:
Aleks, just the simple Russian man who rapes women. You are right tho, Aleks is popular but I think a lot of that is Fedor clout.
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I am pretty sure that Aleks says that all of that is bullshit and it wasn't a rape but a consensual sex.
Also lol on Friday AMC Fight Nights had a press conference with Mineev and Ismailov fight is scheduled for October (if I remember it right).
 
Here is who I would want to pair him with. (assuming there is one more to happen after Moscow)

Moscow fight (Might want a challenge)
Barnett
JDS
Werdum
Mitrione
Nelson

Last Fight (a send off, not a major challenge)
Wand <- Assuming Wand has it in him, this would be the best send off for both. The two Kings of Pride.
Tito
 
Kungpowking said:
Here is who I would want to pair him with. (assuming there is one more to happen after Moscow)

Moscow fight (Might want a challenge)
Barnett
JDS
Werdum
Mitrione
Nelson

Last Fight (a send off, not a major challenge)
Wand <- Assuming Wand has it in him, this would be the best send off for both. The two Kings of Pride.
Tito
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To me Barnett is the one that makes all the sense in the world. Barnett said he was down, is on the Bellator roster and it's in Russia so you don't have to worry about testing. Even if it's in a pointless compared to it's importance when originally conceived it'd be cool to see the cursed fight finally take place.
 
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