Ariel Helwani tries to sell "million dollar idea" to Bellator president for grand farewell to Fedor Emelianenko
During a recent episode of The MMA Hour, Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker revealed to Ariel Helwani that numerous MMA legends would be coming together to bid farewell to Fedor Emelianenko as he steps inside the cage for one last time at Bellator 290 against heavyweight champion Ryan Bader.
As per Coker, 'The Last Emperor' will be honored with a special ceremony after his fight. The illustrious list of names taking part in the ceremony includes Royce Gracie, Randy Couture, Quinton Jackson, and Chuck Liddell, among others.
Interestingly, the veteran journalist has a million-dollar idea for 'The Last Emperor's farewell. He thinks the legends should honor the 46-year-old before his fight rather than after it.
Helwani suggested that since Emelianenko is one of the all-time greats of the now-defunct Pride FC, it's only fair that he gets a Pride-esque farewell. The MMA reporter told Coker:
"Here is the thing, who represents Pride better than anyone?... Who is the only man to have a chance to become the Bellator champion and the Pride champion? Who was the face of Pride for soo many years? It is the great Fedor Emelianenko. One of the things I love [about Pride is] you'd have the guys come out beforehand... on the stage."
He added:
"What if you start like... we're here at The Form in Inglewood, we're here to celebrate the life and career of Fedor Emelianenko... and they [all the legends] come out on the stage, each one: Renzo Gracie, Royce Gracie, Dan Henderson, Chuck Liddell, they all come out and then he comes out from in between them and everyone is clapping. Not only for him but all the legends as well... It's a million dollar idea."
Dear @cbs, @BellatorMMA, @ScottCoker:
Please make the correct call. One of the greatest moments in MMA history is right there waiting for you: https://t.co/6PvztUncEG
Although the Bellator CEO seemed impressed by the veteran journalist's idea, he suggested that the format is unlikely to change at this point.
Fedor Emelianenko doesn't regret not fighting in the UFC
While fighting in the UFC is the ultimate dream of most MMA fighters, former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko doesn't seem fazed by the fact that he never graced the famed octagon.
During a recent interview with The MMA Hour in the lead-up to his fight against Ryan Bader, 'The Last Emperor' stated that he is not bothered by not fighting in the UFC.
The Russian pointed out that he has defeated many a UFC champion during his career:
"I'm looking at this a little bit from different perspective. If it was supposed to happen, it [would’ve happened]. If it didn’t happen, then it didn’t have to happen...I fought many UFC champions [in my career] and I was beating them all, so it doesn’t really bother me that I didn’t fight there."
Catch Emelianenko's thoughts about not fighting in the UFC below: