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A source close to Fedor Emelianenko's camp has exclusively informed FiveKnuckles.com, that rumors stating UFC President Dana White will announce the signing of Emelianenko at a press conference scheduled for this Friday are accurate.
The information was first broken by the LA Times.
Our source tells us that a fight between Emelianenko and Brock Lesnar is in preliminary discussions for UFC 103, which is set for Dallas, TX on Sept. 19 and would be for Lesnar's UFC heavyweight title.
Emelianenko (30-1) is currently considered by most MMA insiders to be the world's greatest heavyweight fighter. The former PRIDE heavyweight champion is virtually unbeaten, his only loss coming via controversial TKO against Tsuyoshi Kohsaka in a fight that was later avenged in brutal fashion. He's defeated a who's who of MMA stars and champions including former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (2x), Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman. Emelianenko was originally scheduled to face his third former UFC heavyweight champion in a row at Affliction: "Trilogy", before opponent Josh Barnett tested positive for steroids which essentially canceled the fight, the show, and Affliction's promotion aspirations.
We'll have more word on the possible UFC 103 matchup as the situation progresses. Please keep in mind that the situation is fluid and fight contracts have yet to be signed.
In the mean time, click here to head over to our comprehensive events section for a peak at the entire UFC 103 fight card as it currently stands.
Update: Late last night a source out of Fedor Emelianenko's management team, speaking under the condition of anonymity, contacted FiveKnuckles.com to inform us that nothing has been signed by Emelianenko and that "no deal (between Emelianenko and the UFC) has been made yet." We should learn more about the situation when Emelianenko addresses the media later today.
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