"The Last Emperor" is back.
Fedor Emelianenko will headline a New Year's Eve card in Japan that will air in the U.S. on Spike TV, it was announced Saturday night during Bellator: Dynamite 1. The announcement was made by former PRIDE head Nobuyuki Sakakibara, who is also now back in MMA and will promote the event. No opponent was announced.
Emelianenko, 38, was announced and came down to the Bellator cage for an interview with color commentator Jimmy Smith. The former PRIDE and Strikeforce star has not fought since 2012.
"I'm a fighter and I am ready," Emelianenko said. "I will see you on New Year's Eve on Spike TV."
Sources told MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani that Emelianenko has a two-fight deal with Sakakibara. Emelianenko is not signed with Bellator, though Bellator will have some involvement in the New Year's Eve show.