M-1 Global are lining up New Year's Eve fight for Fedor Emelianenko in Japan or Russia
Posted on August 23, 2010, 08:34 AM by Anton GurevichAfter revealing exclusively to LowKick.com about the plans of arranging an intermediate bout for Fedor Emelianenko, M-1 Global boss Vadim Finkelstein stated to the Russian website Championat.ru that Fedor might fight again on the New Year's Eve in Japan or Russia. Fabricio Werdum will be sidelined from training after undergoing surgery on his elbow, forcing M-1 Global and Fedor Emelianenko to search for an "anti ring rust" solution.
Here's the best bits from Vadim Finkelstein interview to Championat.Ru's Konstantin Ustjantzev:
- So we can say that Fedor will begin preparations for his next fight withing the next days?
No, now he's currently doing only light training. There's currently no sense in working full force. He will travel to China during the next week with the Russian Sambo delegation, trying to convince the Olympic Commitee to include Sambo in the Olympic Games. The flight to China is pretty tough, so he's currently not overloading himself in training.
- As we all know, Fabricio Werdum is out for a long time due to an elbow injury. Can you reveal who will be Fedor's next opponent, and if it will be a co-promotional bout with Strikeforce?
We plan to organize an interim fight for Fedor. We are considering two options: Japan and Russia. We have a lucrative offer from the Japanese partners, who are interested in Fedor fighting on the New Year's Eve. This is the most interesting option for us. But we are also not exluding an option that Fedor Emelianenko will fight in Russia, sometime in December. We have to organize another fight for Fedor, as Fabricio Werdum is currently injured and no one knows when he will come back. Strikeforce have absolutely nothing against the rematch, that's exactly why we are planning the last fight on Fedor's contract to be against Werdum.
- What about the extension of the contract with Strikeforce, and what factors may influence the future relations with this organization?
I would like not to get ahead too much, but the chances to extend the contract with Strikeforce are quite high. At least now, we have resolved all the disputes between us and reached the state of normal co-operation. Another thing is what kind of terms they will offer us after Fedor's last fight. Television plays a major role in this issue. If Showtime will make us an offer we can't refuse, then we'll extend the contract and will continue our co-operation.
- Are there any alternatives other than Strikeforce?
There are some proposals. But I'll say it again, we are ready to organize co-promotion with any organization that is ready to meet our demands. We have repeatedly expressed our desire to organize a joint show, even with the same UFC, but all in vain. We are ready to fight with the strongest and to co-operate with the worthy.
- Can you name three fighters who are most interesting as opponents for Fedor?
Of course, this is Brock Lesnar. But this fight will never happen. UFC President Dana White will always delay the fight between Fedor and Lesnar, finding more and more excuses. They offered us a one-sided contract, under which all rights for Fedor will belong to the UFC. Of course, this turn of events did not suit us, so we tried to compromise by offering to organize a joint show. And you know how it ended. Now this fight can be only dream. Randy Couture is also a very interesting opponent - he's a living legend of MMA, as well as Josh Barnett. Well, of course, fight with Werdum, who, unlike all the above, will be required.
Vadim Finkelstein's plans leave only a few options for Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, who recently suggested that Fedor Emelianenko might square off against the Big Foot Antonio Silva. While the bout against Antonio Silva sees somehow unlikely for the New Year's Eve in Japan (not speaking about Russia), the fight against Alistair Overeem could be easily one of the biggest highlights of the recent time in MMA. Another option is the long anticipated bout against Josh Barnett, who also enjoys a huge popularity in the Japanese Mixed Martial Arts scene.
This way or another, organizing a fight for Fedor in Japan looks like a smart move from M-1 Global. Both Josh Barnett and Alistair Overeem are a much bigger draws in Japan than in the United States, which can provide the desired springboard for M-1 and Dream.
It will be exactly one year since Alistair Overeem called out Fedor Emelianenko at Dynamite!! 2009, and three years since Fedor's last appearance on the Japanese New Year's Eve card, where he defeated the giant Hong-Man Choi. Fedor Emelianenko appeared five consecutive times times on Pride FC's New Year events against Yuji Nagata (2003), Minotauro Nogueira (2004), Zuluzinho (2005), Mark Hunt (2006) and the "Techno Goliath" HMC (2007).
Comments
Yes, but he will not be fighting Overeem.... Thats guaranteed. If they were going to take that fight, I am sure they would prefer the Strikeforce Heavyweight title was on the line. Its funny how he says the UFC is the one making excuses, yet he says they are willing to work with anyone who will "meet their demands." What is this a hostage situation?
Fedor vs Overeem in Japan is much bigger than Fedor vs Overeem in USA. Both are a much much bigger stars in Japan than in the US. So if the fight is about to happen, it's better for both M-1 and Overeem to do it in Japan..... Strikeforce is the only loser :(
I agree, financially they will do much better in Japan. I guess I forgot momentarily that no one really cares about Strikeforce titles. As far as opponents, I do not care about the Lesnar-Fedor fight, it does nothing for me. I have become a huge Overeem fan tho and I am growing impatient. Its just the only fight that makes sense. I am disappointed that the Reem didn't get to be the first to beat him, but I still want to see it happen.
i don't see how this Overeem fight will happen now. I get the feeling the Werdum fight will be Fedor's last in Strikeforce then M1 will take Fedor back to Japan. Before the Werdum fight Fedor himself said he wanted to fight Antonio Silva now this fight doesn't seem to interest M1 anymore. I'm sick of M1 when are they gonna let Fedor fight who we actually wanna see him fight
Fedor has one fight left with SF if he fight Overeem i want to see it in SF. We have been dreaming of his fight since he joined SF. I dont want it to happen in Japan with the risk of it not being shown in the US or be on a funky time delay due to the time zone diffrences.
better yet show it on CBS so we dont have to watch it on a small computer screen
You can tell the comment about the UFC is complete BS. The amount of money the UFC threw their way was ****ing insane not to mention the massive perks in the contract.
Cmon, not with those 6 million again, it was NOT THE CASE! Dana never said about these figures, it was all just a rumor, that everyone hung on to for some reason and Fedor himself confirmed that they DID NOT offer 6 million! GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEADS, FEDOR WAS NEVER offer 6 million contract in the UFC.
DW never talks openly about contracts, and contract negoations, just because we didnt hear from the UFC side of the deal dosnt mean it didnt exist it may have not been the 6 mil per fight, but i gaurantee its more then Fedor will ever be offered anywhere else.
Dana said it was six figure contract which means it would have been anywhere from 100K to 999K. I've got no idea where the 6 millions came from but odds are his base salary would have been at least north of half a million. Combine it with the perks(advertise M1 as much as he likes aside from ring logo, freely compete in sambo tournaments, etc.)that's a pretty good ****ing deal. The thing that broke it down was the whole co-promotion issue.
I thought I heard that M-1 was offered 30 mil. I was sure dana said something to that effect.
sorry, it just seemed a few weeks ago everyone was on the 30 mil page and now it seems everyone knows it was a farce. I am behind.
As much as I wanted Fedor to fight in the UFC, "advertise M1 as he likes" is a major part co-promotion, which Dana never wanted in the first place. I looks like your were reading this contract, or you just believe everything what Dana says.
Did you really read the actual offer? There are two sides of one story: Dana White and M1. I don't believe neither of the parties.
Exactly Conan. Dana has been known to talk out of his ass at times and you never know with M-1.
Vadim Filkenstein is talking crap again! What interim fight? Werdum was his interim fight. But now, the world is rolling around Werdum. Forget about Werdum for now. Fedor needs to fight Overeem. Beat Overeem and come back to Werdum. I am Fedor's fan, but this is becoming a joke.
Vadim mentioned Randy Couture! Was he joking? Couture is not even in to 10 LHW. Maybe, he was talking about Couture's son, or he was judging Couture by watching "The Expendiables".
their probably waiting til overeem gets off the roids, so if he does beat fedor there can be no excuses :@)
i still would like to see the fedor vs barnett fight
me too, it is better than nothing.
"we are ready to organize co-promotion with any organization that is ready to meet our demands."
Zzzzzz....
Stop using this Fedor junk on your main page. Your love for Fedor is just plain embarrassing and takes away any credibility Lowkick has/had. Fedor wont be taken seriously until he stops ducking serious competition. He already lost to a journeyman for crying out loud.
You obviously only like UFC. Fedor has been called the best by 3 current UFC champions as well as many ex champions and other top fighters. I respect their opinions alot more than that of the hate anything non UFC brigade that hype up UFC fighters way past true ability and put down fighters like Fedor who is a living legend.
Losing to Werdum is no disgrace, he is world class Jiu Jitsu exponent and a worthy opponent.
If you don't like reading about fedor then don't do it as it obviously annoys you., Seems like a pretty mentally inept action IMO.
I guess, you are in the wrong site. I did not see UFC.com here
M1, still playing games, it's one big joke, they don't even mention overeem, because they don't want that fight, then naming two fighters from the ufc which we all know is never gonna happen, so that only leaves werdum, LOL once again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really sense that Finkledork wants no part of Overeem at this point. He is such a snake.
Well if they going to make Fedor's last contracted Strikeforce fight be against Werdum again.....they can at least also have Fedor vs Overeem at DREAM for that promotions vacant HW title, wasnt Fedor supposed to have a few fights under that promotion?
finkel****
Maybe, you are not that far away from the reality. I just read that Fedor gave an interview and said that he want to fight Overeem in Nov/Dec 2010.
I really hope that this fight happen in Nov/Dec 2010. I don't care wheather it is SF or Dream.
Ridiculous fights if you ask me. Werdum? Josh Barnet...? WTF! This is so ridiculous that im insulted. Fedor his a great fighter why put him against Barnet? What does he have to gain by it? And who wants to see a rematch with Werdum, a fight that shouldnt had happened in the first place? Thats the reason Fedor his losing credibility in the 1st place, because anyone can see they pick thei opponents Fedor is fighting... Maybe he could fight Sylvia again, or even Buentello, im sure M-1 would like that...
IMO, M-1 Global is a ridiculous promotion company and I can see why the UFC doesn't want anything to do with this muppets. The pages have turned, its Fedor that has to prove something now. He can retire tomorrow and be a legend of times passed or he can man up, fight Overrem and prove he's still a legend today...