Report: Fedor Emelianenko To Fight Matt Mitrione In Early 2017

Bellator MMA could hosting one of the biggest heavyweight fights of 2017 as Fedor Emelianenko has agreed to take on Matt Mitrione in the main event of a yet to be named Bellator MMA event. FloCombat was the first to report the story.

Emelianenko (36-4-0-1NC) will enter the fight riding a five fight winning streak, which includes a win over a trio of UFC veterans in Fabio Maldonado, Pedro Rizzo and Jeff Monson. Emelianenko has not competed stateside in well over five years. His last appearance in the United States was a TKO loss to Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Emelianenko. Emelianenko will also be fighting for the first time since his daughter was attacked, which is believed to be in response to the fighter’s remarks against children MMA fights in Chechnya.

Mitrione (11-5-0) is currently undefeated in Bellator MMA, defeating Carl Seumanutafa and Oli Thompson respectively. Mitrione also spent a total of seven years in the UFC, where he scored notable wins over Kimbo Slice, Joey Beltran, Shawn Jordan, Derrick Lewis and Gabriel Gonzaga. Mitrione was also cast member of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 10 and this will be his first main event fight for Bellator MMA.

A date and location for the bout have yet to be announced, but it is expected to happen sometime in early 2017.