Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva likely for Jan. 29 in Strikeforce

While negotiations with Strikeforce and M-1 Global are continuing to become more arduous day by day, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

While proposed match-ups with both Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum have failed to materialize for the immediate future, it looks “The Last Emperor” may next take on top heavyweight contender Antonio Silva in his return to the cage.

Fedor was last seen in action this past June when he was shockingly upset by the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion in Werdum, whom submitted Emelianenko with a swift triangle choke in just 69 seconds of the opening round. The loss was Fedor’s first and only legitimate loss as a professional mixed martial artist.

MMAWeekly.com first reported the validity of the proposed match up with sources close to the negotiation proceedings, and if everything goes as planned, Emelianenko can return as soon as January 29 for a Strikeforce event which is rumored to take place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Cali.

While Emelianenko remains one of the worlds top heavyweight superstars, much of his allure as a seemingly unbeatable fighter was quickly evaporated with the loss to Werdum, who in his tenure with the UFC went a meager 2-2 inside the octagon with losses to Andrei Arlovski and Junior dos Santos.

The Russian fighter now has a chance to redeem himself when he meets with former EliteXC heavyweight champion, Antonio Silva.

The Brazilian was last seen in action when he defeated Strikeforce light heavyweight contender, who stepped up as a last minute replacement for an injured Valentijn Overeem in the heavyweight contest.

Early on Kyle was able to dictate the pace of the fight with his quick punches, and eventually connected on a strong right hand that floored the Brazilian in the opening moments of the first round. After a scary first frame turned in that Mike totally dominated from start to finish, Silva was able to regroup and come back stronger for the second round. An early takedown helped Antonio bring the fight to his realm, where he was able to mount Kyle and eventually TKO the American Kickboxing Academy product for the win.

Silva has now won two-in-a-row with the win over Kyle since a decision loss to Werdum in November of 2009.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the possible heavyweight clash? Will Fedor return to top form, or will Silva rattle off his third victory and clinch a possible title shot? Sound off in the comment section below.