Bellator 172: Fedor vs. Mitrion

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edor Emelianenko's debut fight in Bellator was scrapped at the eleventh hour here in San Jose's SAP Center after illness forced Matt Mitrione out this morning. The American, who was due to face the MMA legend from Russia, known as 'The Last Emperor', had acute pain from kidney stones, the Telegraph understands. Mitrione was hospitalised this morning. Mitrione (11-5) is unable to compete at Bellator 172, on the advise of physicians, and as a result, his highly-anticipated matchup with Emelianenko (36-4, 1 NC) was been scratched from tonight’s event. Bellator officials will look to reschedule the fight at a later date. The lightweight bout pitting former STRIKEFORCE champion Josh Thomson (22-8, 1 NC) against former Bellator world title challenger Patricky “Pitbull” (16-8) will now serve as the card’s main event. The fight organisation was offering refunds at the original point of purchase. It was to be one the most highly anticipated heavyweight battles in Bellator MMA history between the legendary Russian fighter Emelianenko (36 wins, 4 loses, 1 no contest), making his debut on the Viacom-owned mixed martial arts franchise, facing Mitrione (record 11 wins, 5 losses). 'The Last Emperor', Fedor, went 28 fights unbeaten between 2001 and 2009 beating a succession of great rivals is the longest reigning heavyweight lineal champion in MMA history, and has a mystique and modesty replaced by a ferocious fighting style once in the combat sports arena. His legacy in the sport and his impact in MMA and been compared to the likes of Muhammad Ali in boxing, Pele in football and Wayne Gretzky in ice hockey. President Putin is a friend and fan, and US President Donald Trump has followed the fighter during his son's promotion of MMA. Fans will have to wait a few months to see him in action. The Telegraph spoke to heavyweight 'King' Mo Lawal at the SAP Center and he said that he would have stepped up to fight Emelianenko.