The 50-year-old Russian said he would like to box again and could compete in the Russian combat sambo championships if his health allows.
Fedor Emelianenko said he would like to box former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, describing a possible matchup as a personal dream. The Russian fighter said Ngannou interests him as an opponent. His comments were reported by Championat and TASS.
Emelianenko, 50, said he still considers himself a fighter and would like to have two or three more boxing bouts. He acknowledged that age and health can bring difficulties, and said he hopes to enter the Russian combat sambo championships if his condition permits.
He retired from mixed martial arts in February 2023 after losing by technical knockout to American Ryan Bader at Bellator 290. Emelianenko finished his professional MMA career with 40 wins and seven losses.
A former PRIDE champion, he also won world and Russian combat sambo titles multiple times. Emelianenko spoke of the Ngannou contest as a wish. He did not announce a date or say that negotiations were under way.