Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Mitrione to co-headline Bellator 180 in New York

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Mitrione is getting a do-over at The World’s Most Famous Arena.

The two heavyweights will meet in the co-main event of Bellator 180 on June 24 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, MMA Fighting has confirmed after it was first reported by the New York Post’s Joseph Staszewski on Monday.

Emelianenko and Mitrione were supposed to meet in the main event of Bellator 172 last month in San Jose, but Mitrione had to be hospitalized the morning of the event due to kidney stones. The bout was called off.

Emelianenko (36-4, 1 NC) will be making his Bellator debut in the bout at MSG. He is 2-0 since coming out of retirement. “The Last Emperor,” now 40 years old, is regarded as the best heavyweight of all time in MMA, and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters, too. The Russia native once went a decade without losing.

Mitrione (11-5) has won two straight since coming over to Bellator from the UFC. In total, the former NFL player has won five of seven. Mitrione, 38, is an alum of The Ultimate Fighter 10.

The Bellator 180 main event, first reported Monday by the Associated Press, will be a grudge match between rivals Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva. It is Bellator’s first card in New York City and only second pay-per-view card ever.