On perhaps the biggest night for mixed martial arts (MMA) in the relative short history of the sport -- the debut of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on FOX Sports -- one of its all-time great heavyweight fighters will take on a journeyman half a world away.
Former number one UFC heavyweight contender Jeff Monson just "confirmed" that he will headline an M-1-promoted event that is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2011, in Russia opposite MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.
No exact location or venue is known at this time.
Emelianenko was recently released from his contract with Strikeforce after a first round technical knockout loss to Dan Henderson in late July. It marked the third consecutive defeat for "The Last Emperor," who amassed one of the most impressive career resumes in the history of organized fighting under the Pride FC banner prior to the slump.
The Russian cyborg, who has called five different promotions home during his decade-long career, refused to hang up the gloves after his most recent loss to Henderson, which he felt was perhaps stopped too soon.
He'll get his chance for redemption when he takes on the "Snowman," a 54-fight veteran, who has won eight of his last nine bouts against no one really that noteworthy.
Monson most recently dropped a unanimous decision to Daniel Cormier at Strikeforce: "Overeem vs. Werdum" on June 18, 2011. The American Top Team (ATT)-trained fighter looked every one of his 40 years, getting battered and bruised by the much quicker, and younger, heavyweight prospect.
Despite his lackluster performance, Monson, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and a two-time ADCC champion, remains a significant threat to submit anyone if he can get the fight to the floor. Emelianenko, however, has been tapped just once (Antonio Silva) in 36 career fights.
It's unclear at this time if the event will air on Showtime, which still has a contract for Emelianenko's services under the M-1 brand.
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