When the news broke late last week that Fedor Emelianenko had been nominated as one of 58 candidates in a Russian internal election primary for the United Russia Party in the Belgorod region, media speculation immediately turned to the possible retirement of the fighter.

Amidst a frenzy of global media questions M-1 Global’s Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan, said Emelianenko was flattered by the nomination, which will in no way interfere with the fighter’s career.

If successful , Emelianenko wouldn’t be the only legendary combat sport athlete to hold a seat in Russian Parliament. Fedor would join 3 time Olympic Greco Roman wrestling gold medalist Alexander Karelin, a current member of parliament, and a man Emelianenko shares a lot in common with.

Aside from both men competing in the heavyweight division of their respective sports, both men compiled unheard-of winning streaks. Karelin went undefeated in international competition from 1987 until 2000. Emelianenko is widely regarded as undefeated over his 10 year career, with a lone blemish on his record the result of a cut stoppage due to an illegal elbow strike. Each man has the distinct honor of being universally recognized by their peers as the greatest of all time in their sport.

As a member of the United Russia party Karelin was first elected to the State Duma as a representative of the Novosibirsk Oblast in 1999, he currently serves as a representative of the Stavropol Krai as well as a member of Duma’s committee on international affairs.

Emelianenko’s first political test takes place June 25th , when primary elections are held. One day later a challenge of a different kind happens in San Jose California as Emelianenko is set to square off with Fabricio Werdum at M-1Global and STRIKEFORCE present Fedor vs. Werdum .