That’s in line with Bellator President Scott Coker, who prompt journalists Emelianenko has lobbied to make Bader his final opponent with the Paramount Global-owned fight promotion.

“I’ll will let you know that’s a fight Fedor actually wishes,” Coker discussed after Bellator 283 this earlier Friday. “We’ve had that conversation.

“This is his final fight on his contract. He prompt me he must retire, and I haven’t talked to Bader about it. Nevertheless it unquestionably’s something, that, you already know, it’s laborious to say no to Fedor – let’s put it that approach. We’ll for sure imagine it, on the other hand it’s for sure now not inked or something that’s drawing near. Then again for sure, we’ll have that conversation.”

Emelianenko, a former PRIDE champ who’s widely thought to be the best heavyweight of all time, began his “retirement tour” this earlier year with a knockout of Tim Johnson at Bellator 269 in Moscow. It was once his second straight away win since a knockout loss to Bader dashed his hopes of a success the promotion’s title and heavyweight grand prix.

Coker has discussed Russia might simply host Emelianenko’s final fight, on the other hand he discussed plans don’t have any longer been finalized as of however.

In January, Bader prompt MMA Junkie he is open to a rematch with Emelianenko previous than taking on the ex-champ’s protege, Valentin Moldavsky, at Bellator 273.

“I can see how he wouldn’t need to transfer out like that and want a rematch,” Bader discussed. “I’m open to it, on the other hand I haven’t actually thought to be it a substantial amount of.”

Bader ended up defeating Moldavsky by the use of unanimous solution and then went immediately to give protection to the heavyweight belt yet again with a decision over Cheick Kongo in May. Shortly, he known as for a rematch with Linton Vassell, whom he beat in 2017 as a steady heavyweight.