Fedor possibly signing with UFC this week

[Rob]

Apparently there will be an announcement either at the UFC press conference on Friday or Fedor's one before then where they could announce he is going to the UFC.

About fucking time.

[The Mask]

if this comes true i will never doubt you again + <3 you :'(

[Hanso Amore]

Fuck


YEs

[Indifferent Clox]

Fuck


YEs

[Funky Fly]

I am jerking off to this news rn

[Reavant]

Ben Rothwell and Chase Gormley just got picked up by the UFC and are going to be on the 104 card

[Loose Cannon]

just read that. awesome news.

[The Mask]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spor...zing-deal.html
This is from the LA Times so hopefully its true

A long-awaited agreement between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the man considered the world's best mixed martial arts fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, is expected to be announced by UFC President Dana White on Friday, a source with information about the negotiations told The Times today.

The source, who asked not to be identified because he's not authorized to speak publicly about the dealings, called negotiations between the UFC and Fedor "very civil" just days after Fedor's scheduled Affliction Trilogy fight Saturday against Josh Barnett was canceled.

Affliction wound up folding its MMA promotion activities and announced an apparel deal to sponsor UFC.

Now, Fedor, who has previously fought in organizations including PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan, Bodog Fight and Affliction, is crossing over to the world's most successful MMA fighting organization, as well.

With a 30-1 record that includes victories over former UFC heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Emelianenko would likely get an immediate shot at reigning UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar.

The source said officials were discussing details on the public announcement of the deal, which in the past has been complicated by Emelianenko's resistance to accept UFC's standard six-fight contract and his unwillingness to surrender some merchandising and marketing revenues.

But this month White said he was optimistic he could bring Emelianenko aboard, and his confidence was well-placed. The UFC declined to elaborate on Friday's scheduled announcement.

-- Lance Pugmire

[Mr. Monday Morning]

He must have heard what the guys on the internets were saying about him

[Dave Youell]

So, would Brock/Fedor be the biggest drawing UFC show ever?

[Loose Cannon]

the question is do you run Brock/Fedor right away or do you wait a couple fights and hope Brock is still champ? It's kind of a tough call because if you wait, what if Fedor somehow gets knocked out by "x" guy and there goes everything out the door. Or do you want to build him up for 1 or 2 fights so the fans who don't know him get to see him before Brock.

I think you do it right away

[Innovator]

So, would Brock/Fedor be the biggest drawing UFC show ever?
biggest fight in the history of the UFC.....

[Reavant]

haha randy said that part of what brought him back to the UFC was the stipulation that he fight Fedor first should the UFC ever get him

[Dave Youell]

haha randy said that part of what brought him back to the UFC was the stipulation that he fight Fedor first should the UFC ever get him

Hmmmm,

What do you think the chances of Randy doing that fight are though.

That would be good business. And regardless, the winner could take on Brock, either way you have a high drawing re-match for Brock, or a super dream match.

You'd either have the guy who just beat Randy, or the guy who just beat Fedor, to take on the heavyweight champ, I see that as a win/win

Of course there's the issue that Randy isn't involved right now is he?

Now I'm a MMA novice, I don't think that they need to build up Fedor, I know who he is just by youtube, I know he's a name and one of the biggest threats to Brock's title's run. So I don't think that Fedor needs that much build up

[Reavant]

If it goes Lesnar/fedor right away, Randy will leave

[Loose Cannon]

didn't know that about Randy. so yea, they'll have to go that route

[Reavant]

I wish I could find the video where I saw him say that specifically

[Reavant]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/mma/07/28/Emelianenko.Octagon/

Denying a published report Tuesday by the Los Angeles Times, M-1 Global officials told SI.com that Fedor Emelianenko and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are not close to finalizing a deal that would bring mixed martial arts' top heavyweight in the Octagon.

"I can give you a guarantee it's not accurate," said Apy Echteld of M-1 Global, a St. Petersburg, Russia-based promotion and management company of which Emelianenko is an equity stakeholder.

According to the Times' report -- which referenced an unnamed source unaffiliated with the UFC and "with information about the negotiations" -- UFC president Dana White was set to announce the signing of Emelianenko on Friday. The source also said negotiations between the top MMA promoter and the Russian champion's camp were "very civil," and that both groups were discussing details on the pending public announcement.

Echteld declined to comment on negotiations between M-1 Global and the UFC, which are rumored to be taking place Tuesday in Los Angeles. He pointed to a press conference Wednesday in Anaheim, Calif., for "important" news on Emelianenko's fate.

[Dave Youell]

From Dana's point of view, I don't see a problem

Regardless, he's got 2 money matches right out of the block. And his champion would either be Randy,Brock or Fedor. This seems like a wonderful posisition to be in from a promoters point of view surely?

[Loose Cannon]

oh jesus christ, come on

[Reavant]

http://mmajunkie.com/news/15663/report-of-fedor-emelianenko-finalizing-a-deal-with-the-ufc-not-true-says-source.mma

A recent report that top-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianeko and the Ultimate Championship are "finalizing a deal" and that the fighter will be introduced on Friday as the organization's newest signee is "untrue," a source close to M-1 today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Emelianenko had been slated to fight on Aug. 1 against Josh Barnett, whose failed drug test (due to alleged anabolic-steroid use) triggered a series of events leading to the cancellation of "Affliction: Trilogy" and eventually the demise of Affliction's entire promotional arm.

The cancellation was followed by a report from the L.A. Times stating that Emelianenko will sign with the UFC, but a source speaking on the condition of anonymity said no such deal is likely.

(Additionally, SI.com's Josh Gross spoke to M-1 Global executive Apy Echteld, who also said the report is "not accurate.")

Emelianenko and M-1 officials have a media call and press conference in Los Angeles planned for today. The Russian fighter and former PRIDE champion is expected to update the press on what the future may hold for him. (MMAjunkie.com will have a full recap from the meeting posted at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET today.)

The UFC may be an option, though multiple sources have told MMAjunkie.com that Emelianenko is unlikely to have his next fight under the UFC umbrella.

The UFC also has a press conference planned for this week. On Friday company president Dana White will "break all the latest news and developments in UFC," according to a UFC release. White is expected to announce some Affliction fighters, including Ben Rothwell and Chase Gormley, have been added to the UFC roster.

But for now, Emelianenko doesn't appear to be one of them.

Emelianenko (30-1), who's unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate a contract with the UFC on multiple occasions, has also reportedly drawn interest from Strikeforce. M-1's new "premium fight series," which debuts Aug. 28 in Los Angeles with "King" Mo Lawal vs. Don Frye, is also an option for the fighter. (M-1 President Vadim Finkelchtein is also Emelianenko's manager.)

[Hanso Amore]

Who cared if Randy leaves...if he loses to Nog his career is done anyways, no sense in wasting a big fight on his diminished draw

[Reavant]

Ha! found it! at about 4:40 Randy says it was a stipulation.

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[Rob]

Doesn't matter. Couture didn't respect his own contract enough the first time to honour it. Under no circumstances should they put Fedor in against anyone but the UFC Champion on his first fight. If he loses to Couture, that's money pissed down the drain. Couture needs to worry about Noguiera before anyone else first.

[Dave Youell]

Ok so...

The winner of Courture/Nog takes on the winner of Lesnar/Fedor

Still win-win no?

[Reavant]

not if nog and fedor win

[Reavant]

http://sherdog.com/news/news/m-1-no-fedor-in-ufc-without-co-promoting-18792

Wednesday, July 29, 2009
by Loretta Hunt (lhunt@sherdog.com)


18792
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Fedor Emelianenko, the top-ranked heavyweight in the world, will not fight in the UFC unless Dana White and company agree to co-promote with Emelianenko’s partners at M-1 Global.

M-1 Global CEO Vadim Finkelstein made that clear Wednesday at a news conference. Finkelstein confirmed that M-1 Global had negotiated with UFC officials as recently as Tuesday.

“We are open,” Finkelstein said. “We do want to work with the UFC. We do want to work with other promotions.”

Finkelstein said the UFC made a new offer to Emelianenko, and M-1 Global made a counteroffer. However, Finkelstein said Emeliananko would not proceed without a co-promotional effort between M-1 and the UFC where they shared expenses and profits.

Finkelstein also communicated that the UFC's representation in the media of his negotiations with the organization has not been accurate. He said Emelianenko has been made completely aware of any deals, past and present, that have been offered.

“I have 100 percent faith in Vadim and M-1 Global," Emelianenko said.

M-1 Global also pressured the UFC by saying they are in talks with other shows, including Strikeforce.

“We're not going to wait,” Finkelstein said. “We have to move forward. It might be that very soon we will be able to announce a deal with another promotion. I'm going to tell you that we're only going to work under co-promotion conditions.”

[Reavant]

Fedor Emelianenko to "headline" EA Sports videogame, currently "negotiating" with UFC
by Dann Stupp on Jul 29, 2009 at 4:35 pm ET
Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 officials today held a coinciding press conference and media call to discuss the latest news with the Russian fighter.

Unfortunately, no definitive news was released regarding the fighter's future, other than that Emelianenko and his manager, M-1 boss Vadim Finkelchtein, are currently in negotiations with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Officials, though, did announce that Emelianenko will "headline" EA Sports' new videogame, EA Sports MMA, which will compete with THQ's and the UFC's hugely successful "UFC Undisputed" videogame franchise that debuted with a 2009 edition earlier this year. "EA Sports MMA" will also feature Gegard Mousasi and Renato "Babalu" Sobral, officials announced.

Emelianenko, a longtime PRIDE champion who's widely regarded as the sport's No. 1 ranked heavyweight, was slated to fight Josh Barnett on Aug. 1. However, after the California State Athletic Commission denied Barnett a license due to a failed drug test (anabolic steroid), Affliction briefly sought a replacement but first canceled its "Trilogy" event and then announced it would cease promotional operations altogether and return to the UFC as a sponsor.

Emelianenko had one fight remaining on his Affliction deal. It's unclear what that deal means or could mean for the fighter.

"We're exploring all options at the time, legally with regard to Affliction and what we perceived took place," Steve Bash, M-1 USA vice president of legal affairs, said. "I can promise you and promise Affliction, if something was done wrong, someone will be held responsible."

In the mean time, Finkelchtein confirmed that in addition to the UFC, Emelianenko is negotiating with multiple organizations, including Strikeforce.

Emelianenko and the UFC have negotiated in the past, but no deal ever came to fruition. One sticking point has been that Finkelchtein wants any UFC event featuring Emelianenko to be co-promoted with the M-1 brand. Finkelchtein said that remains one of their demands.

As we mentioned earlier today, the L.A. Times recently reported that the UFC and Emelianenko were finalizing a deal that would be announced at a UFC media call scheduled for Friday. Although a source close to M-1 told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the report was "untrue," we've since updated the story to include information from a source close to the UFC who said the organization is devoting all its resources to getting a deal done with Emelianenko by Friday. It's not known if the UFC would be willing to co-promote with M-1, which is something UFC president Dana White has often said he's unwilling to do.

White has also stated that any fighters who sign on with the EA Sports videogame would be barred from competing in the UFC.

Again, it's unknown if an exception would be made for Emelianenko.

For complete coverage of the story, stay tuned to the Fedor Emelianenko section of MMAjunkie.com

[Reavant]

so basically he wants ufc to copromote with another company and he is headlining EA's new game.

Dana would be throwing away everything hes worked for if he signs fedor.

[Rob]

I totally agree. He can't be the best fighter in the world if he doesn't fight the top guys either.

[Reavant]

II think for once im completely on danas side on this one

[Mr. JL]

Considering how great the UFC is doing right now, they should tell Fedor to stick his 'conditions' up his Russian ass. It makes no sense for them to bend over and take it up the ass, (at this moment given their status in the Mixed Martial Arts world) for one fighter.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

Talks with Bobby Lashley have stalled, because the UFC bosses refuse to co-promote with TNA.

[Loose Cannon]

nah, fuck him and that bullshit. not worth it at all. Dana is probably falling over laughing at all this crap right now

[Funky Fly]

Talks with Bobby Lashley have stalled, because the UFC bosses refuse to co-promote with TNA.

Why would you want to be associated with TNA when you are an MMA guy anyway? It just feeds the mma purist hate machine and makes you look bad being associated with TNA.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

lol I feel like this is pretty much Fedor's management.

[Rob]

It's very much his management. No one person would be this stupid.

[RP]

Way to call this one Rob. Your inside info is so elite. You should make a run at Metzlers job.

[Rob]

I'll leave that to you.

[Stickman]

I don't even care anymore. Screw the russians.

[RP]

no

I think it will happen still. I cant believe the best fighter in the world wont ever fight the best competition in the world. Its just not imaginable right now. Unless his management is the Russian Mafia.

[The Mask]

the whole M1-UFC partnership is a fucking joke.

[RP]

Dana would be a fool to do it to be honest. 75/25 maybe. But not 50/50.

[Rob]

99/1 would be foolish. Do McDonald's sell burgers from Burger King?

Fedor needs the UFC a hell of a lot more than the UFC needs him. He has already run out of guys to fight. Strikeforce can't afford him unless Showtime pays for him and even then, there is maybe only 3 fights out there for him and none of them are big (Lashley, Rodgers and Overeem perhaps). There is nobody he can fight in Dream. He is out of options.

[RP]

I agree. And i doubt Lashley would take the fight too. But if Fedor has no choice in the matter, then its just a bad situation all together.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

It sounds like his management could be Russian manage the way things have gone and the choices he's made.

[The Mask]

i think he's starting to tarnish his legacy a bit now. he's a great fighter but the disparity in skill in heavyweights between the ufc and other mma organizations is fucking huge. you can't feed possibly the best pound for pound fighter to ever live nobodies like lashley, nor midcarders like overeem.

mma is taking off in a huge way lately and for him not to be involved is a travesty. the politics involved in bringing him to the ufc are staggering, which is a shame because now is a prime opportunity for him to be earning legend status in the minds of people other than pride fans.

[Reavant]

This video defends rob's source considering the source for this guy was in fact dana white


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[Rob]

Dana White also saying he offered Fedor the deal of a lifetime too probably backs me up. Let's not worry about that eh RP?