Fedor Emelianenko to Make Decision on Future Soon
By FCF Staff
Following his stoppage loss to Dan Henderson in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, last night, Fedor Emelianenko remained non-committal as to whether the decorated Russian heavyweight will continue to fight after recording three straight defeats.
According to a post-fight report from MMA Junkie, Emelianenko will sit down with his M-1 Global management team once he returns to Russia, to assess what opportunities there are at this juncture for the 34 year-old-veteran. Emelianenko reportedly added that although he continues to enjoy training and competing, his family is now his number one priority.
Following Emelianenko’s stoppage loss to Antonio Silva in February, the fighter appeared ready to retire, but after returning to Russia and speaking with his management he elected to return to competition.
As Emelianenko stated in his post-fight interview immediately following last night’s stoppage loss, he repeated to reporters afterwards that he believes the bout was stopped prematurely by referee Herb Dean.
After Emelianenko sent Henderson stumbling back with a series of punches late in the first round, the American hit Emelianenko with a short uppercut that completely flattened the heavyweight. Henderson proceeded to land a couple more punches before Dean intervened.
Although it appeared that Emelianenko may have been out for a second, the former Pride champion believes he could have continued.
Since signing with Strikeforce, Emelianenko has now gone 1-3, with his only win during that stretch coming in November, 2009, when he stopped Brett Rogers in the first round.
Prior to Strikeforce, Emelianenko went undefeated from 2001 through 2009, winning 27 fights during that time.
With the win, Henderson has now won three straight fights since he lost by unanimous decision to former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields last April, a run which also includes stoppage wins over Renato Sobral and Rafael Cavalcante.