One can safely say days are strange these days in Mixed Martial Arts when Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC hall of Famer Randy Couture is not allowed entry into the arena of the Zuffa Inc. held organization but Vadim Finkelchtein is warmly welcomed. The man who is widely known as ‘Finky’ was spotted during the promotion’s UFC on FUEL TV 9: Mousasi v/s Latifi event where he was spreading the joy, shaking hands with audience and kissing babies.

And yes, if anyone needs a reminder, this is that very same ‘Vadummy’ who cost former PRIDE FC Heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko big money by balking at a potential super fight between The Last Emperor and the then reigning UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Many would wonder that the big Russian is now retired so his agent showing up at a UFC event is no big deal.

But to think that Dana White, the president of the promotion has already unveiled plans to take his band of fighters to Russia later this year couple with the fact that Fedor Emelianenko has recently admitted he would love the chance to fight under the banner of the UFC in front of a jam packed crowd at home means his return is still on the cards.

With Lesnar now active in the World Wrestling Entertainment or the WWE, and Emelianenko retired after the death of his father, there was a very slim chance of the match happening even a couple of months back.

And although Lesnar’s return is still not clear, the fact that Fedor Emelianenko might fight under the UFC banner against any fighter that the UFC places in front of him is enough for the fans of the promotion to get excited and that

As each day passes, the reality starts to sink in that Fedor Emelianenko will no longer step inside the octagon for a brawl, that he has called time on his career actually and is not taking a prolonged break from the sport. And with various Mixed Martial Arts promotions waiting eagerly like a thirsty bird, waiting to pounce if The Last Emperor does indeed announce plans of a return to the ring, his last media conference becomes even more significant in that respect.

Speaking to a local media outlet, the Russian politician stated that he definitely won’t be strapping up the gloves again outside the confines of his gym and that only God could make him step back into the sport – literally. The 36 year old stated that he is not thinking about a return to action before adding that there is only one way that he will return to action and that is if he is directed by God. With a professional record of 34-4, Fedor Emelianenko is widely regarded as the greatest Heavyweight fighter the sport has ever seen.

The Russian was the most dominant figure in the sport for almost a decade from the start of the new millennium when he was almost untouchable inside the ring, and that achieved him almost cult status with the fans of Mixed Martial Arts. He is also one of the most loved fighters in all of the sport. What makes him even more enigmatic is that he never turned out for the Ultimate Fighting Championship or the UFC despite best efforts of the promotion.

Fedor Emelianenko called time on his career after beating Pedro Rizzo in June 2012, the third straight victory he has had, and in all probability, his last ever match and victory in the sport, barring a miracle.

It is better if a fair warning is given to the readers to not get their hopes up after reading this, but according to the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship or the UFC, they were very close to pulling off a super fight between Brock Lesnar and Fedor Emelianenko. According to White, the UFC came very close to pulling off a mega deal for this fight between two of the best Heavyweights but the deal fell through after the death of the Russian fighter’s father.

White went on to state that they were targeting the fight for the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas. And the news comes as extremely surprising for the fans of the promotion, especially considering the rocky relationship while negotiating deals with the legendary Russian fighter. The UFC could agree upon a deal with Fedor Emelianenko a few years back that led him to join Strike Force, where he lost his first three matches before bouncing back quite sensationally to take his next three matches and then go into retirement.

Speaking to the assembled media at the conclusion of UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago, White stated that the UFC were involved in deep talks with the Russian, adding that they were very close to signing him on. But he added that after his dad died, Fedor didn’t want to fight again and wanted to spend the rest of his time with his friends and family.

Fedor Emelianenko lost his father back in August 2012, just a few months after his last fight in June. When Lesnar learned about what Emelianenko had to say, he also decided that he didn’t want to make a comeback to the UFC and the match fell apart. He also added that the chapter is now closed and they won’t negotiate further.