MOSCOW, Russia – Alex Emelianenko, the three-time World and European Combat Sambo Champion and one of the most respected heavyweight mixed martial arts fighters in the world, will return to the ring on April 23 to fight Sweden’s Eddy Bengston in Moscow.

The fight will take place at the Sports Center CSKA and will be for the PROFC Heavyweight Championship. ProMMAnow.com was notified of the fight by Emelianenko’s camp on Thursday.

Bengston has a Greco-Roman wrestling background and currently holds a pro MMA record of 4-1.  His most recent bout (on record) was back in November, where he faced Alexey Oleinik at the IAFC Mayor’s Cup in Russia. Bengston tapped out due to strikes in the second round.

Prior to that, Bengston was on a three-fight win streak and finished each opponent in the first round, two by knockout and one by submission.

Emelianenko’s fans have eagerly awaited his return to action, and his countrymen will get a special treat as this will be his first time fighting in Moscow.

Emelianenko commented on his opponent,

“A man who devoted his life to such hard kind of sport, at the minimum, he does deserve a respect. It will be interesting for me fighting him and I think he is worthy contender.”

Although Emelianenko has not fought in MMA in over a year, the PRIDE veteran is currently riding a six fight win streak, and defeated all six opponents in the first round. His last bout was in March 2009, and it took him just 51 seconds to knock out Ibragim Magomedov (22-7-1).

In addition to Alex’s match, his fight team, AE Team will also be competing. AE Team has looked great in the qualifying rounds and has reached the final round in the Union Nations Cup, where they will take on Peresvet Team from Rostov-on-the-Don.

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