According to French website Fightsport.fr, undisputed WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko has revealed that his next opponent will be former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Apparently, Fedor's previous long layoff combined with his quick win over Tim Sylvia (36 seconds) has left him eager to get back in the ring as soon as possible. "I want to recover the lost time and fight more this year," Fedor supposedly informed the site. "The next Affliction event is scheduled for November, but we will try to move it to October so that I can prepare properly for my fight with Dream in December," he continued.
As far as his next opponent is concerned, while most fans are hoping that it will be estranged UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture, Fedor seemed more confident that it would likely be another former UFC heavyweight champion. "This will be Andrei Arlovski," he remarked when asked about his opponent at the next Affliction event. "I do not know the name of my opponent for Dream [most likely Mirko "Cro Cop"], but I expect to face Josh Barnett in March next," he continued.
No word yet from Affliction VP Tom Atencio as to whether or not there's any truth to what's been reported. Most likely, a final decision regarding Fedor's next opponent won't officially be made until Randy Couture's lawsuit with Zuffa is settled or his status with the UFC is known. If Arlvoski is indeed his next opponent, the fight could end up landing in The Pitbull's hometown of Chicago, IL.