It has been reported that mixed martial arts legend Fedor Emelianenko received a visit from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ahead of his main event match up for Bellator 198. Now “The Last Emperor” has come forward with a statement on the matter.
Emelianenko earned a swift knockout victory over two-time former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir at Bellator 198 on Saturday. However, days ahead of the match, “The Last Emperor” had FBI agents knock on his hotel room door.
Emelianenko’s Americna agent Jerry Millen later confirmed the incident to The Washington Post.
“The FBI came to the hotel looking to talk to Fedor and they were very nice. Came in to speak with Fedor for a few minutes, spoke to me, very cool guys, and that’s all I can really say about it. Again, the FBI did come to the hotel, they found us, knocked on the door. Hundred percent, kind of surprised. They were very nice, very professional.”
The FBI’s interest in “The Last Emperor” is speculated to possibly being related to the fighter’s relation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump was a co-promoter for an Affliction MMA event, in which Emelianenko earned another stunning knockout victory.
With the FBI having recently raided the New York offices and hotel apartment of Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen, fight fans have begun to speculate that Emelianenko connection to the U.S. President may have warranted the interaction. However, the reason behind the FBI’s recent visit has yet to be revealed.
Speaking in a Bellator 198 post-fight media scrum, Emelianenko offered his own thoughts on the matter.
“Not at all,” Emelianenko said, claiming the FBI’s presence wa not a distraction. “Everything was great. Everything was OK. Everything was good.”
