A July 30 matchup pitting MMA legends Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko is close to final and may be announced within 24-72 hours, sources with knowledge of situation told MMA Fighting.

On Tuesday, SBNation.com reported that the fight is finalized, but though it's close, sources tell MMA Fighting that a few outstanding details remain, and bout agreements have yet to be signed.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker declined comment on the situation.

Still, sources with knowledge of the situation told MMA Fighting that both sides verbally agreed to the basic framework of the fight. One of them said he is "99.99 percent sure" that the fight will happen.

Once signed, the bout is expected to take place at July 30 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and air on Showtime. It will be contested at heavyweight, though the two sides have a gentlemen's agreement in place which would make it a 220-pound catch weight. That would be no problem for Henderson, who naturally walks around at less than 210 pounds, and would only have to weigh in between 205 and 220.

Emelianenko, though, would be cutting for the first time in his career. In his last fight, Emelianenko weighed 230 pounds in facing Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

Henderson (27-8) is the reigning Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion, but he has long admitted interest in a fight with Emelianenko (31-3, 1 no contest), a former PRIDE heavyweight champion who has lost two straight.

A July 23 date was once considered for the fight, but now it appears that July 30 will be the date announced when the fight is made official, likely within the next few days.