Fedor Emelianenko is one of 58 candidates named in a Russian internal election primary for the United Russian Party in the Belgorod region, according to M-1 Global officials. The June 25 primary elections are a first step to identifying one candidate to represent the party later in national elections against other party nominees for a seat in the country's regional Parliament.

The 33-year-old Emelianenko was nominated along with other notable politicians, including Belgorod Region Governor Yevgeny Savchenko and Belgorod Senator and State Duma Deputy Andrei Scotch. The worldā€™s No. 1 heavyweight is among 24 new candidates added to the partyā€™s primary ballot in that region this year.

Evgeni Kogan, M-1 Globalā€™s Director of Operations, said Emelianenko was flattered by the nomination, which will in no way interfere with his fight career.

ā€œHe will easily be able to do both,ā€ said Kogan via e-mail. ā€œThere has never been talk of one replacing the other.ā€

Emelianenko faces former top five UFC heavyweight Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce ā€œFedor vs. Werdumā€ on June 26 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Three-time Olympic wrestling gold medalist Alexander Karelin, also nominated by the United Russian Party, is currently a member of Russiaā€™s Parliament.

Editor's Note: This article was corrected at 3:30 p.m. EST to reflect that Emelianenko has been nominated for Parliament and not a Senate position.