(The pudgy Russian scamp during happier and more certain times.)

When rumors began circulating that Fedor Emelianenko was considering a drop to light heavyweight to face Strikeforce 205-pound kingpin Dan Henderson, representatives from M-1 were quick to quash them.

“At this time it is all rumor with no truth. It’s not anything M-1 has considered at all,” M-1′s head of PR Eric Nicholls told MiddleEasy last month. “Should it be decided that Fedor would consider dropping to 205, M-1 would make an official announcement.”

Well, it looks like Nicholls was just pretending that things were business as usual at M-1 as Fedor has now admitted that he is considering dropping down a weight class.

In an interview with the Dutch website MixFight.NL, “The Last Emperor” says that Strikeforce has not made an offer of a light heavyweight bout, but that hasn’t stopped him from discussing the idea with his management.

“Yes, I have talked about [dropping to 205] with my manager, Vadim Finklestein,but as far as I know there has been no offer made by Strike Force for me to fight as a light heavyweight,” Emelianenko explained. “It was not the size or weight advantage that caused my loss [to Silva]. Its just a fight and anything can happen. The game plan did not work out the way I wanted it to, but the weight was definitely not the reason.”

The Russian fighter also talked about why he decided to continue fighting after he seemed ready to step away from the sport following his loss to Antonio Silva.

“For me it was a moment of disappointment when I lost the fight against Antonio Silva. It was not a moment of weakness, but at that particular time it was the way I felt,” he said. “Back in Russia I talked about it with my management and my spiritual father and my decision now is to continue fighting.”

When asked whom he would like to rematch if given the opportunity, Fedor was quick to reply.

“It Would be Antonio Silva and Fabricio Werdum.”