Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabio Maldonado set for Fight Nights in Russia

"The Last Emperor" will return to action in his home country against a UFC veteran.


Fedor Emelianenko is scheduled to compete under the Fight Nights banner June 17 in St. Petersburg, Russia, in a heavyweight clash with Fabio Maldonado. MMA Fighting confirmed the news following a report by Combate.



Emelianenko (35-4, 1 NC) returned from retirement in December, defeating Jaideep Singh in three minutes at Rizin FF. Prior to the contest, the former Pride heavyweight champion defeated Pedro Rizzo, Satoshi Ishii and Jeff Monson.



Maldonado (22-9) became a fan favorite in the UFC for his fighting style, which earned him a 5-6 record inside the Octagon. After leaving the UFC, Maldonado scored two quick knockouts in boxing matches. Before facing Emelianenko in Russia, Maldonado is booked to face Felipe Dantas in a light heavyweight bout in Brazil on May 6.

Good for Maldonado. I bet this is a huge payday.

Alexey Oleinik reveals UFC offered Fedor more money than Rizin



UFC heavyweight Alexey Oleinik is not impressed with Fedor's decision to fight Fabio Maldonado in June.



Less than 24 hours removed from the announcement that Fedor will meet UFC veteran Fabio Maldonado in the main event of a Fight Nights show in June, Russian heavyweight Alexey Oleinik has already publicly criticized the match-up.

According to the UFC fighter, Fedor has many interesting challengers at his disposal, yet opted to face a fighter on a significant losing streak.

"This is the first time I heard the name Maldonado," Oleinik told Sports-Express. "His is a name nobody knows. I then suggested that he has three defeats in his last four fights. He was fired from the UFC for being unfit. Of course, Fedor is a great option for him."

The Ukranian-born Oleinik suggested that Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov would have been a more suitable opponent for Fedor.

"Let Vitaly Minakov take the fight. Very strong, young man. Worthy opponent at a good level. Minakov is a Bellator champion, is healthy and technical. Fights better than Fedor. That would be cool and interesting. That same Minakov is better than Maldonado."

Oleinik is still confused as to why Fedor refused to sign with the UFC after he announced his return from retirement. According to the heavyweight fighter, Fedor was in fact offered a better deal to join the UFC than RIZIN.

"Emelianenko said he was ready for any opponent, including UFC champion Werdum. He said he was open to all suggestions, but he was not satisfied with the terms. I talked with the leaders of the UFC, and was told that Fedor was offered excellent conditions. Any fee that Rizin FF offered, UFC was ready to increase by a hundred thousand dollars."