MOSCOW, February 1. /TASS/. Russian mixed martial arts star Fedor Emelianenko plans to spend more time with his family after retiring and will not continue to fight, as he himself said in an interview with TASS on Wednesday.

When asked to comment on the possibility of fighting again, Emelianenko said: "I doubt that." "I would like to retire and return to my family. My home is full of joy, my family is waiting for me. My little girl Anechka’s birthday is coming up, she was born four years ago. My team has a lot to do, there are a lot of family matters to attend to and I want to stop, finally," he added.

Emelianenko will face Ryan Bader of the United States in Los Angeles on the night of February 5 in what will be the last fight of his career. The two will compete for the Bellator Heavyweight Title.

Emelianenko, 46, boasts an official record of 40 wins and six defeats, with one fight declared invalid. In his latest fight in October 2021, Emelianenko knocked out American Timothy Johnson in the first round. He also won titles at Pride Fighting Championships, the Fighting Network RINGS and WAMMA events. Emelianenko is a four-time world combat sambo champion and nine-time champion in Russia. Emelianenko is currently President of Russia’s MMA Union.