Júnior Cigano opens the door to fight Fedor Emelianenko and does not rule out moving to boxing

J. Cigano wants to face F. Emelianenko in Russia. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Former UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg), junior gypsy want to face the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in your next presentation. In an interview with 'Combate', the Brazilian recalled the 'Last Emperor' rivalry with Minotauro, reveals that he is a fan and wants to face him in Russia.

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“This fight is something that interests me a lot. The people who are responsible for my career are talking to Scott Coker. (…). I am an admirer of Fedor's work and history, with all that feud that existed between him and Minotauro, in a magical era of our sport. Being able to have this fight with him would be spectacular, especially having a victory against a legend. This motivates me a lot, it gives me a special boost (…). (Fighting) in Russia would be something very different, with a lot of energy, but I think I would know how to focus on what I need to do”, said Cigano.

Despite expressing his desire to face Fedor, Cigano says he could be another one to switch to boxing in the near future. The Santa Catarina native does not rule out that his next fight will take place in the 'noble art'.

“One thing that has caught my attention and that I am extremely passionate about, and that I think would be a very important and different next step for my career, is a boxing fight. We have had some conversations about this, but, once again, nothing with a definition”, concluded the fighter.

UFC champion between 2011 and 2012, the Santa Catarina native made history in the company as one of Brazil's greatest heavyweight representatives. In recent years, however, Júnior has not had a good time. The athlete's dismissal came after a sequence of four consecutive defeats – all by knockout. At 37 years old, Cigano turned professional in MMA in 2006. In 30 commitments in the sport, the Santa Catarina native currently has 21 wins and nine losses.

PRIDE icon, Emelianenko has 46 appearances in mixed martial arts. The veteran boasts a record with 39 triumphs, six setbacks and one 'no result' fight. Throughout his career, the Russian beat names like Quinton jackson, Pedro Rizzo, Chael Sonnen, Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Hunt, Rodrigo Minotauro e Ricardo arona.