Latest news with #FedorEmelianenko
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Mike Tyson offered stunning return to the ring against scary MMA legend - months after losing to Jake Paul by unanimous decision
Mike Tyson has been offered a stunning return to the ring against MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko. The 58-year-old hung up his gloves in 2005 but returned after 19 years to take on Youtuber Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Texas in November. He earned £16million for his efforts but looked like a shadow of his former self as he laboured to a wide unanimous decision loss. Tyson, who has won 50 fights and five major world titles, has been offered the bout by Kazakh combat sports promotion, Alash Pride League (APL), who hope to tempt him with a winter clash against the Russian MMA icon. Speaking in Astana, Kazakhstan this week, APL President, Alimzhan Bektaev, said: 'We are planning a bout between Mike Tyson and Fedor Emelianenko. 'Work in this direction is already underway... 'The tournament, where we want to invite Mike Tyson, is scheduled for December.' Emelianenko is widely recognised as one the greatest MMA fighters of all time, holding a legendary 27-fight winning streak during the mid to late 2000s. The former PRIDE heavyweight title holder has a professional record of 40-7, which includes victories against Mark Coleman, Andrei Arlovski, Mirko Cro Cop and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. He retired in February 2023 after a first-round knockout loss to Ryan Bader. The APL has not confirmed which rules the bout would come under but it is highly likely to be boxing. Emelianenko, nicknamed 'The Last Emperor, has previously shown interest in fighting Tyson. Speaking on the Ariel Helwani in 2023, after his retirement from MMA, Emelianenko said: 'MMA is done 100 per cent, I am not going to go back to MMA. 'I want to try my hand at boxing, I think it will be interesting... 'I watched the fight between Roy Jones and Mike Tyson, I would like to fight him. He has a big name, and he is a legend.' While Tyson went the distance with Paul in his last bout, the Youtuber admitted easing up on him as the fight went on. 'After I'd seen him tired I didn't want to put too much hurt on him, but I wanted the fans to get a good experience,' he continued. 'But there was a point where my aggression and violence went away when I wasn't getting hit. I love Mike.' An average of 60 million households watched the main event live, with as many as 65 million watching at one time, according to MVP. The win took Paul to a professional boxing record of 11-1 - with the one defeat coming against Tommy Fury in February last year - and it is unclear what will come next for the 27-year-old. Many were surprised the fight was even sanctioned after it was initially delayed in June when Tyson suffered an ulcer flareup on a cross-country flight. Tyson claimed he nearly died on that plane and ultimately had eight blood transfusions as he recovered from the incident.
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Fedor Emelianenko to BKFC? Conor McGregor says 'Stay tuned, we might have an announcement'
Could all-time heavyweight great Fedor Emelianenko be headed to BKFC? Conor McGregor seems to think so, given his reaction when Emelanenko's name was mentioned in a question Sunday at a BKFC Italy news conference. After a reporter paid respect to McGregor and mentioned him in the same breath as Emelianenko, the Irish UFC star pleaded his case to the Russian legend – though it's unclear exactly what is on the table. 'Fedor Emelianenko?' McGregor said. 'Stay tuned, we might have an announcement with Fedor Emelianenko. Hey, Fedor. We're waiting. Some news might be coming with Fedor Emelianenko. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is signing and acquiring the best fighters of all time – the past, present, and future. Everyone wants to be a part of this. There is a saying in Italian, 'Il tempo è denaro.' Time is money.' Emelianenko, 48, has not competed since a February 2023 loss to Ryan Bader. Emelianenko retired from MMA after the bout, but has since been linked in Russian media to various boxing match discussions – though many previous reports suggested gloved boxing was on the table.
