Fedor Emelianenko to Return to MMA Competition for New Year's Eve Card in Japan

Spike TV President Kevin Kay dropped a bomb on MMA fans watching Bellator Dynamite on Saturday night by announcing the network's next major MMA show: a New Years' Eve card in Japan, headlined by the return of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko and promoted by Pride Fighting Championships executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara. The event will not be part of Bellator, and will not necessarily have a major Bellator presence on the card.

"

Just to be clear: this promotion isn't Bellator. Some Bellator fighters *might appear on the debut card but that's TBD.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 20, 2015"

Both parts of the announcement are surprising but not unexpected. Earlier this year, Sakakibara announced that he was planning to return to the MMA business through Bellator President Scott Coker and asked for help in doing so, according to Steven Marrocco of MMAjunkie.com.

Emelianenko, meanwhile, has been spotted at Bellator functions throughout the year and was plugged by Bellator ahead of Saturday's card.

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How awesome does this guy look in Bellator gear. #fedor pic.twitter.com/1JkFuymbzM

— Danny Brener (@DannyBrener) September 18, 2015"

It remains unknown who Emelianenko may fight, and it is unclear what the relationship is between Emelianenko, Bellator and Sakakibara. Officially, he did not sign with Bellator and there is very little information out there on Sakakibara's promotion, which means it is anyone's guess as to where he may end up fighting on a long-term basis.

While it seemed for a time as though Fedor was destined for a run in the UFC, things evidently unraveled between the two parties. It is unclear what exactly led to the Last Emperor once again landing outside the world's largest MMA promotion, but there are a multitude of potential hangups, ranging from the UFC's exclusive uniform policy with Reebok to news that Emelianenko's camp was seeking an "unrestricted offer." 

"

Being told that Fedor has not signed with the UFC...not yet at least. Wants unrestricted offer. Still looking at options. Anything possible.

— Karim Zidan (@ZidanSports) September 9, 2015"

Either way, Emelianenko seemed pleased to be back in the cage. "I'm a fighter and I am ready," he said. "I will see you on New Year’s Eve on Spike TV."

It is, of course, disappointing that Emelianenko will once again elude the UFC, but it is hard not to be excited for this card. Blockbuster combat sports events that include MMA, professional wrestling and kickboxing are a tradition for New Year's Eve in Japan, with major promotions like K-1 and Pride putting on the original Dynamite shows. It will be interesting to see what, and who, ends up on this card.

Keep an eye on Bleacher Report for more details on the event, and Emelianenko's signing, as it becomes available.