Fedor Tells Couture He's Ready For Long-Delayed Superfight

Fedor Emelianenko has opened the door to finally facing Randy Couture under the new Ki MMA banner, nearly 20 years after their original superfight fell apart in contract litigation.

The Russian heavyweight legend appeared alongside Couture at Monday's Ki MMA press event in New York, where he told MMA Junkie that a matchup with the UFC Hall of Famer still interests him more than other names from his era. "I believe Randy would be much more interesting as a fighter," Emelianenko said. "I'm ready if he's ready."

What Killed The Original Fedor-Couture Fight

The bout was first proposed in 2007, when Couture attempted to vacate his UFC heavyweight title and sign with a rival promotion to chase Emelianenko, then widely considered the top heavyweight on the planet. UFC sued to enforce Couture's existing contract, forcing his return and scuttling any chance of the fight happening in both men's primes.

Emelianenko, now 50, said he continues to train with his team in Russia and remains open to competition if the offer and opponent make sense. The bigger obstacle may be Couture's age — at 63, he would be roughly 13 years older than Emelianenko and unlikely to receive a license from most North American commissions.

Ki MMA, launched by former Strikeforce president Scott Coker, is expected to run events in Japan, where regulatory standards are looser. The promotion's debut card is scheduled for early 2027.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Fedor attempts to resurrect Randy Couture super fight under Ki MMA banner — ‘I’m ready if he’s ready’