MMA Legend Fedor Emelianenko Trains for Combat Sambo Bout at 50

The Russian fighter plans to compete in the 50-and-over Combat Sambo Championship in 2027.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:35pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and intense physicality of a Sambo match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in muted earth tones punctuated by flashes of bright color.A legendary Russian fighter's return to the combat sport of his youth signals the enduring appeal of traditional martial arts in his homeland.Los Angeles Today

Fedor Emelianenko, a legendary Russian heavyweight mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, has announced plans to compete in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship under the 50-year-old category in 2027. The 49-year-old Emelianenko, who retired from MMA in 2023 after a loss to American fighter Ryan Bader, said he wants to 'fight a little bit with our Sambo guys' in the upcoming competition.

Why it matters

Emelianenko is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, with a professional record of 40 wins and 7 losses. His decision to return to competition in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship at age 50 is a testament to his enduring passion for combat sports and the continued popularity of Sambo, a Russian martial art, in his home country.

The details

In an interview with Russia's Sport Express daily, Emelianenko said he is currently training for the 2027 Russian Combat Sambo Championship, where he plans to compete in the 50-and-over category. Sambo is a Soviet martial art and combat sport that combines elements of judo, jujitsu, and various national wrestling styles. Emelianenko, who has a background in Sambo, is looking to return to the sport after retiring from MMA in 2023.

  • Emelianenko retired from MMA in February 2023 after a loss to Ryan Bader.
  • He plans to compete in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship in 2027, when he will be 50 years old.

The players

Fedor Emelianenko

A legendary Russian heavyweight mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter with a professional record of 40 wins and 7 losses. He is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and has a background in the Russian martial art of Sambo.

Ryan Bader

An American MMA fighter who defeated Emelianenko in the final bout of his MMA career in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“I ponder competitions in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship under the 50-year-old category. I want to fight a little bit with our Sambo guys.”

— Fedor Emelianenko

The takeaway

Emelianenko's decision to return to competition in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship at age 50 demonstrates his enduring passion for combat sports and the continued popularity of Sambo in his home country. His legacy as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time will only be further cemented by his foray into the 50-and-over Sambo competition.