Fedor Emelianenko, Pedro Rizzo Cleared for M-1 Global 'Fedor vs. Rizzo' in Russia

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Both Fedor Emelianenko and Pedro Rizzo made weight at the M-1 Global “Fedor vs. Rizzo” weigh-ins on Wednesday. Emelianenko checked in at 235.9 pounds, while Rizzo tipped the scales at 244 ahead of their titular heavyweight headliner, which takes place Thursday at the Ice Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

An additional pair of heavyweight confrontations will also go down at the event, as interim champion Kenny Garner (258.8) tries to unify his title against returning M-1 Global champion Guram Gugenishvili (252.6), while ex-UFC title challenger Jeff Monson (234.8) faces nine-year pro Denis Komkin (249.1). Lightweight champion Daniel Weichel (155) will also be in action, as the German defends his title against Russian talent Musa Khamanaev (155).

Once regarded as the sport's top heavyweight, Emelianenko has stumbled in recent times, suffering a trio of consecutive losses inside the Strikeforce cage prior to receiving his promotional walking papers. The former longtime Pride Fighting Championships ruler rebounded with a pair of victories to close out 2011, however, outpointing Monson in November before dispatching Satoshi Ishii just over five weeks later on New Year's Eve in Japan.

Rizzo, 38, returns to the ring after nearly two years on the shelf. “The Rock” last competed in July 2010, knocking out UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock. The win marked the third straight triumph for the former three-time UFC heavyweight title challenger, as Rizzo previously bested Gary Goodridge and Monson before taking out the 48-year-old pioneer.

M-1 Global “Fedor vs. Rizzo” Weigh-In Results:

Fedor Emelianenko (235.9) vs. Pedro Rizzo (244)
Kenny Garner (258.8) vs. Guram Gugenishvili (252.6)
Musa Khamanaev (155) vs. Daniel Weichel (155)
Jeff Monson (234.8) vs. Denis Komkin (249.1)
Mairbek Taisumov (155.2) vs. Marat Gaifurov (155.6)
Mikhail Malyutin (144.8) vs. Renat Gasanov (151.9)
Albert Duraev (185.2) vs. Ramzan Emeev (185)
Vugar Bahshiev (144.6) vs. Jerome Bouisson (144.8)
Pavel Vitruk (142.2) vs. Radoslav Pehnik (144.8)
Dennis Pinnacles (228.6) vs. Akhmed Sultanov (230.6)
Davrbek Isakov (181.4) vs. Abdulmazhid Magomedov (185.2)