Bellator 290: Anatoly Tokov Admits He’s “A Little Bit Nervous” For Fedor’s Last Fight

Los Angeles, CA — Russian Anatoly Tokov is in the other title fight at Bellator 290 this weekend. That one that doesn’t involve the retirement of heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko.

Tokov (31-3), a teammate of the legendary “Last Emperor,” finds himself in the co-main event on Saturday, challenging Johnny Eblen for middleweight gold. The Russian rides in on a seven-fight win streak with a record impressive enough to make even Chael Sonnen swoon during Wednesday’s Bellator 290 press conference.

After the presser, Tokov spoke to Cageside Press about fighting on the same card as his mentor.

“Yeah, obviously any time I fight with Fedor on the same card, I’m always very excited,” the middleweight title hopeful told us. “And the fight is very important, it’s a title fight, so it’s a very exciting fight, and I’m a little bit nervous. But I’m ready.”

Nervous for his mentor’s fight, no mention of nerves for his own. That should tell fight fans something.

When it comes to Emelianenko, who has outwardly always portrayed something of a stoic character, yes, he does show more emotion in private, Tokov admitted. “In the gym, in the training, he’s more open, more emotional towards us.”

“And when we mess up, he’ll always let us know that we did,” Tokov added.

As for his own fight, Anatoly Tokov had no prediction. He’s just looking to get the W that will allow him to claim his first major title. “I’m hoping my hand’s going to be raised at the end of the fight.”