In the warm yet windy climes of an Auckland spring, the man rumored to be stepping into a cage with Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures), arguably the best MMA fighter at present, on a M-1 Global card come next February; melted to the reception he received on New Zealand soil.

The "Snowman" Jeff Monson (Pictures), full of praise during in an interview with Roguemag.com, cited the "very good possibility of fighting the Russian" and also said he is "in the process of working through things with M-1."

Monson, visiting Auckland as the special guest for Hextreme events promotion "Carnage in the Cage," sounded excited about the prospect of having a crack at a fighter he called "the best guy in the world."

Hextreme, which will have taken a major step in promoting MMA in New Zealand -- its most notable product being Mark Hunt (Pictures), who is presently in training for a return to the ring -- have indicated that Monson will be back next year, possibly to do battle in the hexagon.

Being the legendary special guest, the Snowman will hold several seminars and impart crucial Octagon experience to some of the local MMA coaches and trainers. He was very humbled at the hospitality and friendly nature of the New Zealand community and the media as a whole. "It's been really great to be here in New Zealand and the people are great. I would love to be back no doubt," he said.

The clean shaven and soft spoken Snowman has indeed brought an early Christmas to Kiwi martial arts fans, and even though there is no snow or a white Christmas in Auckland, Monson's presence will make it feel otherwise.