49-year-old legend Fedor Emelianenko not ruling out MMA return three years after retiring: ‘Why not?’

The legendary career of Fedor Emelianenko may still have one last chapter.

In 2023, Emelianenko was stopped by Ryan Bader for the second time in what ended up being his retirement fight following 48 professional bouts.

‘The Last Emperor’ has stayed away from the cage for over three years, though Emelianenko has expressed interest in the Combat Sambo Championships.

However, the 49-year-old recently revealed that if the right offer lands on his table, he believes he can still compete in MMA.

On September 14, Scott Coker unveiled his new Ki MMA promotion that will launch next year.

Several MMA legends with ties to the former Bellator and Strikeforce boss were in attendance for the beginning of this new venture, including Fedor Emelianenko.

Dana White previously tried to sign Emelianenko but couldn’t come to terms with the man that many believe to be the best fighter to never compete inside the UFC Octagon.

Having already competed for a long list of promotions, the 49-year-old could add another to that list due to him not ruling out the chance of a comeback.

“I keep training,” he told MMA Junkie via a translator. “I keep training with my team. I’m coaching my team, so I keep training. Competition-wise, if it’s going to be a good offer, and it makes sense, why not (return)? I can compete still.”

Emelianenko was asked in a follow-up about two huge fights that he was linked with that never came together.

The prospect of seeing ‘The Last Emperor’ face off with Brock Lesnar or Randy Couture were dream bouts that couldn’t happen due to the Russian not being signed to the UFC.

While it seems highly unlikely that Couture would compete again at 63 years old, Emelianenko prefers this matchup, joking that he’d take the fight right now if it was offered.

“I believe Randy would be much more interesting as a fighter,” he said.