Wanderlei Silva Wants Next Fight To Be Against Fedor Emelianenko As UFC Lifts His Ban

If everything goes according to plan, Fedor Emelianenko's next fight has the making to become one of the biggest events in mixed martial arts history. The other half who can make it happen is come backing Wanderlei Silva.

Returning Wanderlei Silva said he wants to fight "The Last Emperor" for his comeback fight.

"There's a possibility of fighting Fedor, who is an opponent I would really like to fight. I'm not just talking, but can't be the first one, right?" the Brazilian known as "The Axe Murderer" told MMA Fighting.

"Now that I haven't fought in two years, I can't get him right away. I need to do some fights first, get my rhythm back, and when the promotion thinks it's time and I feel I'm in a good rhythm, I would really want to test myself against him, for sure."

Silva hasn't fought in two years. He received a lifetime ban in 2014 from the Nevada Athletics Commission for refusing a drug test. He announced his retirement from the game due to a misunderstanding with UFC on Sept. 19, 2014. The ban was then reduced to three years and he is now eyeing a comeback.

He now wants to return and hopes his next fight will be a big one. Thus, he chooses Fedor Emelianenko who he regards as one of the best in the business.

"I've fought the best in the world but him," he added. "I would really like to test myself against him. I don't have anything against Fedor, but I would like to test myself and see how it goes."

Choosing Fedor Emelianenko for his next fight is said to be a good move for Silva. Both are the same age and have built a legacy in the sport. The Russian fighter has fought 40 times in his career and only lost four. Silva, on the other hand, played more fights with 49, 12 of which resulted in a loss.

Wanderlei Silva's next UFC fight has no date yet.