BodogFight, the Brothers Emelianenko Make Mixed Martial Arts History

Russian Heavyweights Will Fight at Home for First Time During April 14 PPV

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- It's difficult to imagine the two toughest brothers on the planet have never fought professionally on their home soil. That situation will soon change. Fedor and Aleksander Emelianenko will make their BodogFight debuts when they headline the much-anticipated pay-per-view spectacle on April 14 at the ICE Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The two heavyweights are already household names in Japan, but have waited a long time to show off their considerable mixed martial arts skills to their own comrades and are thrilled to finally get the opportunity.

"I will try to do my best to show a fine fight for my Russian fans," says 30-year-old Fedor. The world's number-one ranked heavyweight is scheduled to take on American Olympic silver-medalist Matt "the Law" Lindland in BodogFight: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations.

"Our fans wished we could have fights in Russia a long time ago, so I hope they will cheer loudly for us at the ICE Palace," he adds.

While the 230-pound Fedor (24-1) is anxious to put on a good show, he admits he doesn't know a whole lot about his 185-pound opponent. Lindland has a 20-4 record, but will be fighting for the first time as a heavyweight.

"I do know Matt is a good fighter who makes a strong attack when he stands. He will also be putting on weight for this fight, so I am preparing myself seriously at an Olympic mountain training camp in Kislovodsk," Fedor says.

It was Fedor's commitment to training that helped usher his younger brother Aleksander into the sport of MMA. Instead of babysitting Aleks, who is five years his junior, Fedor would take him along to Sambo practice. Learning to imitate his brother's moves, Aleks soon went on to train with the legendary Vladimir Mihailovich Voronov. Eventually, he became a two-time Russian national Sambo champion, and a two-time world Sambo champion, and is now ranked among the top 10 heavyweights in the world.

Fittingly, the 253-pound Aleksander (9-3) will precede his older brother and fellow Red Devil Sport Club member into the ring as he squares off against 340-pound American Eric "Big" Pele (10-2) in a super-hot heavyweight matchup that promises to melt the walls of the ICE Palace.

"We are thrilled to have the Emelianenko brothers fighting for BodogFight in Russia," Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre says. "They are true superstars of the sport and their participation in this one-of-a-kind event makes it an absolute must-see for all fans of MMA."

Don't miss the chance to watch these "Sons of Sambo" in action, as they attempt to add to their already impressive MMA legacy in their beloved Russia.

Presented by BodogFight and M-1, Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations will be available via satellite in more than 44 million households in the United States exclusively on the Dish Network and In Demand, and to more than 3 million households in Canada via Viewers Choice, Shaw and Bell ExpressVu. Details available at http://www.BodogFight.com/ppv/.

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Bodog Entertainment offers a host of entertainment services, including: an international television production division, which produces reality television series, such as BodogFight (BodogFight.com) and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker Bodog.TV); an international record label (BodogMusic.com); a million-dollar band search competition (BodogBattleoftheBands.com); a publishing division (with an online magazine, BodogNation.com, and news service, BodogBeat.com); and an events department renowned for producing parties that are stunning, chic and celebrity-filled. Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. For more
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