Emelianenko Signs!

Sorry, you thought I meant the one they call Fedor? Nope, Aleksander (Fedor's younger brother) inked a deal with Canadian upstart HCF and his brothah will be his corner man.

Still waiting on word about the Great One...

From the Fight Network:
LIL’ EMEL PICKS “CABBAGE”


Heavyweights Invade Canadian Soil Oct. 19

By Mike Russell (gfn@thefightnetwork.com)

Hardcore Championship Fighting promoter Keith Crawford took his Canadian upstart organization up a notch Monday with the signing of Aleksander Emelianenko (11-3-0) to his October 19 HCF 5 show in Calgary, Alberta.

The younger brother of highly coveted free agent and PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksander will face steel-skulled Hawaiian journeyman and Team BJ Penn fighter Wesley “Cabbage” Correira (18-13-0). Both foreigners have faced top heavyweight competition in the past with appearances in PRIDE and the UFC. Number-one world ranked fighter Emelianenko is expected to corner his younger brother, said the promoter.

26-year-old Aleksander, a member of the Russian Red Devil Sports Team, impressed an unexpected first round submission victory over Jessie Gibson in M1’s “Russia vs. Europe” event July in St. Petersburg, Russia. Correira, 29, who has only one win in his last six fights, will be looking to break new ground on Canadian soil with the upset over the heavily favored Russian.

The main card will also feature title bouts between Victoria, BC’s Sarah Kaufman (5-0-0) and Kit Cope-trained Ginele Marquez (5-6-1), vying for the HCF 135-pound women’s title. An HCF lightweight championship bout will feature Albuquerque native Thomas Schulte (14-7) and undefeated Costa Rican Ariel Sexton (4-0, 1 NC).

“The Ultimate Fighter 4 – The Comeback” reality TV series veteran Edwin Dewees (34-10-0) will meet Brazilian-born Marcus Vinicios (4-3-0).

A province known predominantly for its oil and cattle export, Alberta has quietly become yet another epicenter for Canadian MMA, fueled by the growth of Crawford’s HCF and Mark Pavelich’s Maximum Fighting Championship.

HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTING 5
Oct. 19
Calgary, Alberta

MAIN EVENT
Aleksander Emelianenko vs. Wesley "Cabbage" Correira

MAIN CARD
Gegard Mousasi vs. TBA

HCF World Middleweight Women's Title (135 lbs)
Sarah Kaufman vs. Ginele Marquez

HCF World Lightweight Title (155 lbs)
Thomas Schulte vs. Ariel Sexton

Marcus Vinicios vs. Edwin DeWees
Len Tam vs. Gerald Lovato
Ben Greer vs. TBA
Myles Merola vs.Juan Barrantes
Andrew Buckland vs. TBA
Garrett Davis vs. Toby Johnson
Tim Smith vs. Mike Rowbotham