At 49 years old, Fedor Emelianenko is not finished competing. The Russian MMA legend has confirmed plans to step onto the mat once more, this time at the 2027 Russian Combat Sambo Championship, where he intends to compete in the 50-and-over category.
In an interview with Russia’s Sport Express daily, Emelianenko outlined his plans:
“I’m thinking about competing in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship after I turn 50. I want to (compete) a little bit with our Sambo guys,” Emelianenko said.
The announcement marks a return to Emelianenko’s roots. Long before he became a celebrated name in MMA arenas around the world, his foundation was built on Sambo, the Soviet-era combat sport that blends techniques from judo, jujitsu, and various traditional national wrestling disciplines. Now, with a professional MMA career behind him that spanned 47 bouts and produced a record of 40 wins and 7 losses, he is returning to the discipline that originally shaped him.
Emelianenko formally retired from MMA in 2023 following a loss to American heavyweight Ryan Bader.
While the Sambo plan moves forward, Emelianenko finds himself navigating a more uncertain situation on another front. A potential boxing bout with longtime rival Mirko Filipović has been caught in a prolonged organizational limbo. The match, initially targeted for June, has yet to produce a signed contract or a formal proposal from the Serbian promoters behind it.
“I still don’t have any news,” he said. “We’re waiting. I plan to go to Serbia soon so we can speak directly with the organizers and understand exactly what stage the preparations for the match are at.”
He added:
“So far, we’ve sent an official letter asking for more time and information.”
His candor extended to his own feelings about the situation:
“There is definitely some anxiety. In the organizations I competed for before, things were handled a bit differently.”
With the proposed date drawing closer, the pressure to resolve the uncertainty is mounting.
“There were plans to hold this match in June,” he said. “Time is running short, and we need to bring clarity to the situation.”
He was equally direct about the current contractual reality:
“We haven’t signed any contract, and we haven’t received a concrete proposal yet.”
Other promoters have reached out with expressions of interest, but none of those conversations have moved beyond early inquiries. Emelianenko was clear about where his attention lies:
“Of course, my focus is on this matchup. There have been inquiries from others, they ask questions, and we respond. But nothing has moved forward to a real offer. We haven’t reached the stage of signing any contract.”
For now, the 2027 Sambo championship stands as the one confirmed item on Emelianenko’s competitive calendar. At 50, he will be stepping into a new bracket but carrying a legacy built over more than two decades at the top of combat sports.
