Fedor fights faded kickboxer on three-fight losing streak NYE
Fedor Emelianenko will make his return to MMA against a Indian Japanese kickboxer Jaideep Singh, 29, who has no won a fight since 2011.
First Fedor Emeianenko was the greatest heavyweight in MMA history, with a win streak that will never be equaled. Then he fought time in an advancing sport, and lost three in a row. Then he won three in a row against lesser competition, and retired.
Fedor went out right; very few in combat sports ever do.
Then rumors surfaced that Fedor was returning. These were confirmed by his long-time manger, M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein.
“I see that he is mentally ready,” he said.
“All he needs is to train hard,” he said.
“Fedor wants to fight against the best athletes. I know his fans want the rematches with Werdum, [Bigfoot] Silva, Henderson,” he said.
Fan expectations were high.
There was a dull, throbbing worry when it was announced he had signed to fight in Japan. The new organization is headed by Nobuyuki Sakakibara, allegedly the former front man for Mr. Ishizaka (Kim Dok Soo), the mob boss who had acquired control of PRIDE. Who would they match Fedor up with? Kimbo Slice?
Sakakibara himself addressed the potential match up.
“We would like to select a fighter who will mean something for the future of mixed martial arts,” he said.
It turns out Kimbo Slice maybe had too much experience.
Ariel Helwani reports that Fedor will be fighting kickboxer Jaideep Singh, 29. The Indian-Japanese heavyweight is 1-0 in MMA. In his sole MMA fight, Singh beat Alireza Tavak via elbows in the first round. The 5′ 8″ Tavak was 0-1 going into that fight, and has not fought since.
Singh is 40-10 in kickboxing, with one No Contest. He has not won in kickboxing since 2011, and is on a three-fight losing streak.
This fight is a joke.
On the plus side, Fedor, 39, gets paid a lot to beat a guy that is not fit to be his sparring partner. The fight will be easier than a day of training. This is good for Fedor, but bad for the sport.