“Negotiations are underway, but not within the framework of Bellator,” Emelianenko told Sergei Lodyga in an interview. “The fight was planned to take place in Saudi Arabia, there were several rounds of negotiations with my representatives, and Tyson’s representatives. It was an intrigue when he announced that he would not fight me.”
“I’m preparing, I’m in shape, I’m training in Moscow in the CSKA team. I’m done with MMA – I already feel myself that my body is not pulling MMA. I can work, but there are aggravations, but in boxing everything is fine – I can train, prepare and fulfill all the loads. So I am preparing in full force”
“The fight will be according to the rules of boxing. I don’t think it will be 12 rounds, but the regulations will still be discussed. There is agreement from both sides, but there must be funding. Right now everything is bogged down in funding, but in the near future I think everything will be in place. I hope that everything will work out
Fedor Emelianenko, 47, made an unsuccessful attempt to take the Bellator heavyweight title from Ryan Bader last February, losing to the American by technical knockout in the first round, after which he announced his retirement.
Mike Tyson, 57, resumed his career in November 2020 after a fifteen-year hiatus, drawing an exhibition boxing match against 54-year-old Roy Jones, Jr.