It seems it’s far from the last hurrah for The Last Emperor.
<bFresh off a one-sided decision win over the weekend, legendary Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (32-4-1) is tentatively scheduled to fight on Dream’s New Year’s Eve show in Saitama, Japan.
The 35-year-old Emelianenko, who faced potential retirement questions after being knocked out by Dan Henderson for his third straight defeat in Strikeforce in July, took all three rounds against Jeff Monson (43-13) at an M-1 Global show in his home country Sunday.
At their meeting in Moscow, Emelianenko was dominant in the striking department over Monson, outhitting his American opponent 65 to 5 and stuffing all 14 of the two-time submission wrestling world champion’s takedown attempts.
It was the second loss in three fights for Monson following eight consecutive victories. He had fought just over a month earlier, submitting Paul Taylor at an event in England.
On Monday’s episode of HDNet’s Inside MMA, it was announced Emelianenko is expected to compete on the overseas promotion’s "Fight for Japan: How are you! New Year! 2011" show on Dec. 31 at the Saitama Super Arena. While no opponent was mentioned, it is rumoured to be 2008 Olympic judo gold medallist Satoshi Ishii.
Emelianenko, who prior to his skid had won 27 straight contests, has never appeared on a Dream card before but competed many times in Saitama and other Japanese cities for Pride and other organizations.
Also announced to be on the card is Japanese lightweight star Shinya Aoki. According to MMAweekly.com, his opponent will likely be an ex-teammate, former Sengoku 155-pound title-holder Satoru Kitaoka. Sources told the website that the two have agreed to face each other.
Aoki (29-5) is currently on a six-fight win streak since losing to Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez in April 2010.
The event will be broadcast live in North America on HDNet.
NOTES: In another event that will air on HDNet, former UFC fighter Wilson Gouveia will take on Canadian Dwayne Lewis in the co-main event of MFC 32: Bitter Rivals in Edmonton on Jan. 27. Gouveia lost to current light-heavyweight champion Ryan Jimmo in May 2010 but has been sidelined with a back injury. Lewis hasn’t fought since a title-fight loss to Jimmo in February.
