Fabio Maldonado suffers injury, still plans on fighting Fedor Emelianenko

Fabio Maldonado will face Fedor Emelianenko on June 17, but he’s not at his best just yet.

The UFC veteran, who takes on "The Last Emperor" in St. Petersburg, Russia, at Fight Nights 50, has suffered a cervical spine injury. Maldonado told MMA Fighting that he’s not cleared to spar or train any type of fighting at the moment, but expects to be able to box in a few days.

Maldonado, who pulled out of two UFC fights in the past due to cervical spine injuries, plans on recovering and entering the ring to fight Emelianenko on June 17, but was forced to cancel a 240-pound catchweight bout with Felipe Dantas Saturday in Brazil. Dantas will now face Caio Alencar.