Goodbye Fedor

[soo2bhuge]

FEDOR COMMITS TO M-1


PRIDE Heavyweight Champion To Headline First Show Under New Ownership


By Loretta Hunt ([email protected])

PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko has committed exclusively to the new ownership of M-1 Mix-Fight Championship, which has been purchased outright by an undisclosed American entertainment-related company, according to a source close to the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Established in 1997, the St. Petersburg-based M-1 held over 30 events under the ownership of Russian businessman Vadim Finkelstein, also the long-time manager of the much-sought-after Emelianenko. Finkelstein is also the proprietor of the Red Devil Sports Club, a facility and team that houses numerous Russian fighters, including PRIDE veteran Roman Zentsov and former UFC middleweight Andrei Semenov.

The source confirmed the new ownership has infused a substantial amount of capital into the organization. Finkelstein and others will stay on to assist in running the company, which will continue to promote under a variation of the M-1 name. The new M-1 will take more of a global stance, and Emelianenko (26-1) will headline its inaugural event as early as January or February, possibly in the U.S., the source said.
On March 27, Ultimate Fighting Championship majority owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta bought the assets of PRIDE, only to discover Emelianenko had previously signed a non-exclusive, non-transferable contract with its former owners, Dream Stage Entertainment.

As late as September, UFC president Dana White had insisted a deal with Emelianenko was imminent, though repeated negotiations between Finkelstein, colleague Apy Echteld and the Las Vegas outlet could not produce an agreement to bring the Stary Oskol resident to the famed Octagon. A major point of contention was White’s insistence Emelianenko sign an exclusive contract with the American promotion, which would exclude Emelianenko’s participation in Sambo competitions. Emelianenko is a three-time World Combat Sambo champion and ambassador for the sport in his homeland.

Undefeated in 24 fights (including one no contest), Emelianenko is widely received as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter. The 31-year-old former Army firefighter rose to the top of PRIDE’s ranks by besting standouts like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (30-4-1) and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (22-6-2). Emelianenko submitted 2000 Olympic Greco-Roman silver medallist Matt Lindland (20-5) at Bodog Fight “Clash of the Nations” on April 14 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has not competed since.

A formal announcement of the purchase, as well as plans for the new organization’s first event, is expected by the end of this month.

[Odpierdol_sie!]

That really sucks, i hate the politics behind stuff like this. let the best fight the best!!! imagien the pay day for Coture V Fedor
Sucks Balls Big time!!!!!

[$$TML 4 LIFE$$]

Well Fedor has 1 worthy opponent to fight, Barnett..... after that hes gonna fight a bunch of bums. Bad decision by Fedor IMO

[Lexed]

wow im pissed. kind like a kick in the face to his fans. the one and only person who would meet his expectation would be Coutre. im gonna go cry now :'(

[soo2bhuge]

I wonder if this is all due to Dana White not letting him fight in Sambo. That would be a shame. I'd like to hear the reasons for this because I'll lose all respect for Fedor if it was due to money or anything else.
I hope this is not true, because he will definitely lose his #1 standing if he doesn't come to UFC>

[J-Dogg]

To be honest, I think he is over rated.

Fedor is just strong and hits hard. I mean that probably does make him the best fighter in the HW. But he really just grounds you, and punches what ever he can until he see's an opening, weather it's and arm or a leg, then he locks the joint.

[soo2bhuge]

To be honest, I think he is over rated.

Fedor is just strong and hits hard. I mean that probably does make him the best fighter in the HW. But he really just grounds you, and punches what ever he can until he see's an opening, weather it's and arm or a leg, then he locks the joint.

I agree but I think Fedor's biggest strength is coming into a fight with an excellent gameplan. The fact that he sticks to his gameplan and doesn't get flustered or emotional is what gets him the wins. I think someone like Couture would be a perfect candidate to beat him.

[Pooks]

Go figure!... MMA Fractured again..
Dana had a nice plan.. try to make UFC International by hosting events in London, and ireland etc.. plus purchasing pride..

but apparently still not enough appeal in UFC for a lot of good non-UFC foreign (outside of North and South America) fighters to commit to it..

[sphincter]

frm what I read I ca't see Fedor doing this because of the money.. I'm sure any top-level fighter has plenty of that. Plus Fedor is Russian and over there (from what I understand) heis quite the superstar an no door is closed t ohim so mone ca nnot be the problem.. However, he is really dedicated to his fi***ng sport and I could see that as being a major point of contentn for someone like him...Let him fight Sambo.. SHEeesh!! just get him over here!!