By FCF Staff
Since Fedor Emelianenko’s stunning defeat to Antonio Silva in East Rutherford, Saturday night, the internet has been riddled with speculation, as to whether or not the legendary fighter will retire. Following the second round, stoppage loss, the former Pride champion apparently stated in his post-fight interview that it may be time to hang up the gloves. Now, with Fedor back home in his native Russia, reports are surfacing suggesting that the heavyweight may fight again.
According to a Twitter account that has been attributed to Emelianenko, recent posts (which are in Russian), state that Fedor “would have liked to continue to fight”, in respect to the doctor’s decision to bring Saturday’s bout to a halt. Emelianenko’s right eye was heavily bruised and swollen shut after the second round, and there has been conflicting reports since, as to whether or not the 34 year-old-fighter wanted to continue.
In respect to retirement, a more recent ‘’tweet’ states that Fedor’s decision regarding his fighting career “will be resolved in the near future.”
LifeSports.ru was on hand to meet Fedor when he returned to Russia, and is reporting (in Russian) that the fighter has backed off earlier statements that he might retire. Fedor reportedly stated that he's "sure" he has “a few more fights" and that he may have rushed declaring retirement was a possibility.
Quoting his coaches Alexander Michov, the story also states that Emelianenko could return to the grand-prix, if the opportunity arose.
Emelianenko (31-3) has now lost back-to-back bouts to Fabricio Werdum and the aforementioned Silva, after going undefeated from 2001 through 2010. The Russian star’s last win came in November, 2009, when he stopped current grand-prix competitor, Brett Rogers.
Fedor recently signed a contract extension with Strikeforce and has three bouts remaining on the agreement.
