Newly crowned WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko who will not be competing at Affliction: Day of Reckoning in October due to a hand injury says that he will look to make his return by New Year's Eve. In an interview with SI.com this is what he had to say on Arlovski vs. Barnett and his future return to the ring:“I think definitely by New Year’s Eve I’ll be ready to go,” the 31-year-old Russian told SI.com Sunday.“My desire at this point is to meet with the winner of the fight,” said Emelianenko, the only current WAMMA champ. “But I still have a desire to fight with whomever loses as well."
Although it would be great to see Fedor fight either Arlovski or Barnett as planned it might however not happen so fast. Fedor might not even fight Mirko Cro Cop in Japan like he would have liked with Cro Cop also nursing injuries.
"Early speculation centered on a rematch of Emelianenko’s tremendous points win in 2005 over Mirko Filipovic. However, a representative for the No. 1-ranked heavyweight said it’s doubtful the fight would take place at this time. In a bout intended for Japanese fight fans, Emelianenko will likely meet a “judo legend or sumo wrestler.”
The last thing fight fans want to see is the number 1 heavyweight in the world fight someone like a Hong Man Choi type fighter again. So let's hope we do see him face the Arlovski/Barnett winner once and for all.
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