Last night during the Bellator Dynamite 1 event we were teased with a special announcement throughout the evening. In the end it turned out to be a big yet very confusing one as the promotion announced that ‘The Last Emperor’ Fedor Emelianenko had signed with a Japanese promotion, he will make his MMA debut on NYE and that it will air on Spike.
Former Pride president Nobuyuki Sakakibara will spearhead the new promotion and appeared at the Bellator event as part of the announcement.
Alan’s Angle: Ok, Fedor is signed with a new Japanese promotion but this is being announced through Bellator. The reason this was done was because the event will air free on Spike. Both Spike and Bellator have a close relationship. Ariel Helwani tweeted that Fedor’s new contract is for two fight.
This makes sense when you think about it. The UFC’s heavyweight division is too tough for Fedor to make an impact. In Japan he can be the main event and whoever he fights will be a ‘big name’ but I can say now, I doubt Fedor will lose. If he had signed with the UFC I wouldn’t have said that. His legacy is too much of a big deal here. Regardless, I’ll enjoy the spectacle this will bring.