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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike Bohn

Fabricio Werdum wants Fedor Emelianenko rematch in Russia: ‘Fedor was never the GOAT’

Fabricio Werdum is pushing hard to win the Fedor Emelianenko sweepstakes.

Bellator recently announced Emelianenko (39-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) is set to compete in MMA for the first time since 2019 when he headlines the promotion’s debut in Russia on Oct. 23. An opponent has not been named, but company president Scott Coker said there are multiple candidates in the running.

Werdum (24-9-1), who beat Emelianenko in a stunning upset in 2010, wants to be that guy, and he made it known on social media. The Brazilian not only said he’d be happy to travel to Moscow, but he also took a shot at Emelianenko’s status as the greatest heavyweight of all-time (via Twitter):

IF fedor The 🐐 do you need revenge from me HEY I’m ready to go to Russia

Fedor was never the goat because I killed the 🐐 @ScottCoker let’s go

Werdum, 43, is not currently under Bellator contract. In fact, he’s signed with the PFL. But as MMA Junkie’s John Morgan recently reported, the organization would be willing to allow Werdum the opportunity to fight Emelianenko, if offered.

The potential rematch would give Emelianenko the chance to redeem the first true loss of his career. After putting together a 28-fight unbeaten streak, Emelianenko suffered a 69-second submission loss to Werdum under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner.

A rematch between Emelianenko, who is coming off a first-round TKO of Quinton Jackson at Bellator 237 in December 2019, and Werdum has been discussed in the more than decade since the first fight, but the stars have never aligned.

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