Bellator MMA heads to Japan this December, and the promotion has announced a marquee fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. There were reports for a couple of months that Bellator MMA was targeting a fight with Fedor in Japan in late 2019, and “The Last Emperor” will now take on “Rampage” on December 29th, inside the Saitama Super Arena.

“For Bellator’s debut in Japan, we wanted to bring a massive event and fighters that the Japanese fans really connect with”, said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Given the vast history of martial arts and MMA in Japan, and especially at Saitama Super Arena, this will be a very special show that no one will want to miss. This will, unquestionably, be a monumental event for Bellator and I am looking forward to the moment that Fedor and ‘Rampage’ walk out to a crowd that has known them since their careers began. I would also like to thank RIZIN for their help in making this event a possibility and we look forward to working together in the near future to showcase the best talent each organization has to offer.”

Fighting out of Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast, Russia, Fedor Emelianenko returns to Japan following a successful run in the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix earlier this year, where he earned consecutive first-round knockouts over Chael Sonnen and Frank Mir. A former PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion and PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight World Grand Prix Champion, “The Last Emperor” returns to where his career started. Fedor has an impressive career resume, which stands as one of the most impressive in the history of the sport with victories over Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Hunt, Mark Coleman and Andrei Arlovski, to name a few. With 29 career victories ending via finish, the punching power and world-class Sambo of the stoic Russian could result in yet another defining moment in his illustrious career.

An eight-fight veteran of Bellator, “Rampage” Jackson’s legendary career has seen him compete against some of the top names in the sport. The former PRIDE and UFC champion is the proud owner of many epic highlight reel slams and knockouts that he has racked up throughout his epic battles with the likes of Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, “King Mo” Lawal, Kevin Randleman and, perhaps most-notably, his four-fight series with Wanderlei Silva. Rampage previously expressed his desire to face Fedor in front of a Japanese crowd before his career comes to an end. Both the legends will collide on December 29 inside the Saitama Super Arena.

Updated Bellator Japan: Fedor vs. Rampage Fight Card:

Heavyweight Main Event: Fedor Emelianenko (38-6, 1 NC) vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (38-13)

*Card subject to change.

Also Read:

Mike Tyson Talks Seeing A Younger Version Of Himself In Conor McGregor

Updated Card For This Weekend’s Bellator Milan/230 Event