We’ve known since Bellator — I legitimately began typing Strikeforce, and had to correct myself — 142 that Fedor Emelianenko would be making his return to MMA at the end of the year in Japan. He’ll be the centerpiece to former PRIDE president Nobuyuki Sakakibara’s first foray back into the sport in many years. However we had only wild speculation as to whom Fedor may end up fighting on that card. Given the state of heavyweight MMA outside of the UFC (and even in it, at times), there weren’t many options that immediately stuck out. That said, professional kickboxer Jaideep Singh had to be below even a Hong Man Choi rematch on the list of potential opponents. It does appear that the Indian kickboxer will be that first test for Emelianenko despite the massive gap in experience between the two. Singh is an accomplished striker though, with a 2009 K-1 World Grand Prix regional title to his name, and 40 career wins in the sport. MMA will be a huge change for Singh, and facing off with perhaps the greatest heavyweight we’ve ever seen will not make it any easier. Singh has competed once in MMA before, picking up a TKO win at a Super Fight League event in 2013. Any time Singh spends on the mat in this bout will likely be the end for him, but on the feet his technical prowess and extreme length could give Emelianenko some serious problems. Another big piece of news from the past 24 hours was T.J. Dillahaw’s announcement that he’ll be leaving his longtime MMA home, Team Alpha Male. Dillashaw will be moving to Colorado to continue training with Duane Ludwig and will be joining Elevation Fight Team for the remainder of his training. With Ludwig playing such an integral part of his rise to the top of the bantamweight division over the past couple of years, the move makes sense. There were also a pair of fights announced over the past 24 hours. Chidi Njokuani will make his Bellator debut at Bellator 146 against Ricky Rainey in the welterweight division. At strawweight, Seo Hee Ham and Cortney Casey will attempt to pick up their first wins in the UFC, as they square off at UFC Fight Night 79.
