Vadim Finkelstein: We are ready to have Fedor fighting in the UFC
Posted on March 29, 2012, 10:17 AM by Anton Gurevich
Speaking exclusively to one of the biggest news websites in Russia, Gazeta.ru, M-1 Global boss Vadim Finkelstein spoke about the future of Fedor Emelianenko's Mixed Martial Arts career, and Dana White's recent comments about having no interest in signing "The Last Emperor". According to Finkelstein, Emelianenko's next fight will take place in Russia, most likely in St. Petersburg, with sights on fighting again this year somewhere abroad. "The demand for Fedor Emelianenko is still high," says Finkelstein, who once again declared that M-1 Global are completely open for dialogue with the UFC.
Fedor Emelianenko is currently 33-4-1 in his MMA career, 2-0 since losing to Dan Henderson back in July, 2011.
Here's the full translation of Vadim Finkelstein's interview with Gazeta.ru:
M-1 Global Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan, mentioned on Twitter than Fedor’s next fight may be held in Rio de Janeiro?
Brazil really wants to see Fedor. There the largest media company in the country is involved there. But, again, we have plenty of offers, and not only from Rio. There’s a huge demand for Fedor as a fighter.
Who else is interested in Fedor?
Singapore. We are sending our representative to Singapore for negotiations. I heard about certain interest from the Indian organization Super Fight League. However, we are yet to discuss anything with them. But in general we have another very serious contact. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose this information. But the negotiations are already underway.
Who will be Fedor’s next opponent?
Not yet. We'll see. We have to agree on date and place of his next fight. And then, and we’ll see who’s worthy of fighting Fedor Emelianenko. But as you know, many good fighters are tied on the contract with the UFC.
UFC President Dana White recently said that he has zero interest in signing Fedor...
You need to know Dana. If he says he has no interest in signing Fedor, then in fact, he really wants to. He says one thing, and doing another. How can you not want a fighter who can bring millions? Any fight with Fedor could break all the rating records in the UFC.
Maybe you should make the first step?
We are open for dialogue. It’s just that Dana White thinks that we will come to him, kneel down and say: "We are ready for any conditions to sign a contract." Of course, this will never happen. Fedor deserves nothing but respect. But like I said, there’s still a high demand for Fedor. We are ready to have Fedor fighting in the UFC, it’s just that we need a normal offer. And the fact that White is always saying that he offered us everything “on a silver platter” is a lie.
Comments
oh hesus let the gates of comments open
whos fedor again?
M1 Global kicks ass ! But I admit that they should let Fedor fight in the UFC with no co promotion
lol. yeah no kidding huh? truth is though at this point, fedor has to kind of suck up what might be a less intriguing contract BECAUSE of his decline lately..he should sign a 1 or 2 fight deal, with re-neg depending on his wins, i think that's the most fair way, he'll be getting recognition for what he does in the ufc, as well as, not getting too much for what he has done outside the ufc.
He fights for him family, god, his school and country, so don't expect the BIG bucks, and fight for all those things instead? I'm sure the big bucks will come, but PLEASE dont be a bunch of nit pickers M1, or it'll never happen. UFC has the power now, whether they like it or not. Driving a hard bargain won't get them anywhere, much better off to PROVE that he deserves the respect and $ via performance and not 'history'... ugh, i dont see it happening as much as i'd like it to. He should also cut to 205, imagine how bad he'd ko 205ers? ID LOVE TO SEE HIM FIGHT JON JONES
oh and DROP THE CO-PROMOTION CRAP, it's not necessary, wear the ****ing m1 tshirt going into the cage, tattoo it on your ass if you like, but don't expect the ufc to ever be like ' and now UFC on FOX 3, brought to you by UFC and M1 Global'.. cause you're just being ridiculous
Does everyone understand Fedor is by far the highest paid MMA fighter in the world....ever? He has made more money fighting outside of the ufc than any ufc fighter. Because of M1 and co promotion.
Sure I wish he would have and still would fight in the ufc but let's get real. He has made more money than any other fighter by far because of his business tactics. So before you all get keyboard tough just recognize this fact. It's also the reason Dana White hates him.
@movescamp prove that please
sure look it up. It's easy. For instance he was paid over $800,000 purse to fight Henderson. Every fights promotion he also gets 25 percent as an owner of M1. He owns the rights to every European fight he has ever been in. Do the math. He makes an outstanding amount of money and it's him that doesn't need the ufc.
I personally don't think Fedor is the best or anything like that I just think he is way smarter than most his armchair critics even understand. He has made over 1 million dollars for nearly every fight for the past ten years through M1 worth, his purse, sponsors, and "co-promotion".
So weak me all you want google fedors fight purses than look up m1 worth (which he owns a part of) then think about all the broadcast rights he has. The man is the ray Charles of MMA. He owns his promotion and gets his purse.
*M1 set up Fedor vs Tim Sylvia- Fedor got payed 300k flat fee. - surely he made more
*M1 set up Fedor Vs Arlovski- fedor got payed 300k flat fee- surely he made more
*M1 got Co promotion with Fedor vs Tim Sylvia
*M1 got co promotion with Fedor Vs Arlovski
*M1 allows or Fedor is a part owner of m1 and owns a % of the company
*M1 got fedor 3 fights vs 3 former UFC HW champions on American soil (arlovski, coleman, sylvia)
*M1 global got fedor at least 1.5 million for every fight he had in SF with other bonuses and promotion.
*M1 global got fedor 400k just to show up against werdum and i assume he got payed 400k just to show up not counting whatever behind scene money he gets.
*M1 got co promotion with SF which makes them more money
*M1 got there name out there with co promotion
*M1 global got a showtime deal for m1 fights and promotion within the USA
*M1 global co promotion with SF, (fedor vs rogers) got 5.6 million viewers on CBS and 25 million viewers world wide.
* Fedor vs werdum got 450k viewers on showtime % of that profit goes to m1 and fedor. Peaked with 749k viewers
* Fedor vs Big Foot silva got 1.1 million viewers.
* Fedor vs henderson got 650k viewers
Fedor Vs Monson- got 7.8 million viewers In russia and drew 22k people in attendance and the russian president a friend of fedor's was there.
Fedor vs ishi- In japan surely got fedor a lot of money and he fought in front of 24k people.
I appreciate all these stats, but nothing is concrete proof to back up your claim that he is the highest paid fighter, Fedor owns 7% of M1 just to clarify. Tito Ortiz got 2.5 mil for his last 2 fights, and he is far from the biggest thing in MMA. We dont know if there where bonus's behind the scenes of SF. The amount of views has nothing to do with contracted amounts that fighters have been agreed to been paid. TUF Brazil got over 8 million views, and they didnt get paid shit, and owning right to his European fights might mean something monetary wise assuming there were people who wanted to pay for the rights to broadcast, and distribute them. ZUFFA owns all of his PRIDE, and SF fights, in their library.
When you own part of the company you get payperview buys. If I use your logic fador got 1.5 million per fight for strikeforce. So that's far more than tito. You basically just said I only agree with ufc stats, which judging by your picture has something to do with your opinion. Fedor is very very rich and his m1 friends have not been "screwing" him. He is M1 at least in part. You have to use your logical mind and expierance to understand why he makes so much money and why his Career moves got him that money. I can't spell it out for you. There are enough facts out there to draw a logical conclusion.
I never said Fedor made 1.5 mil, that was your number. I just asked you to prove your claim that Fedor "is by far the highest paid MMA fighter in the world"
I am just trying to figure out how a guy who doesn't speak English and is worth $20 million dollars after the Jeff monson fight, and has never fought in the largest promotion for MMA is criticized for his business moves. Sure you can argue his fighting legacy was severely limited at the end but guess what? He made a fortune. As far as net worth only bj Penn surpasses him. Bj was very wealthy before he started fighting however (which to me shows how much a bad ass BJ is).
Zuffa does not own any strikeforce fights that Fedor was in on European soil. And I am not sure they own any of his fights that m1 was part of unless they paid for them. Dude if you understand anything about business or care at all about fighters you must understand why Fedor is smarter than your average bear.
You need to separate your desire to see him fight from intelligent business. The man is filthy rich because of M1.
His "official net worth is about half of fedors, Brock lesnar's, or even Tito Ortiz. Have no idea what you are talking about.
Dana will never co-promote. M-1 needs UFC, UFC doesnt need Fedor or M1. This is about the 20th time Ive seen Finkle beg for co-promotion. Screw Finkle. Fedor, grow some balls and fire this clown.
The UFC is in a good spot, I try to live by the saying patients saves you money, and if they UFC is patient, they usually always win the battle of signing the fighter, as they have no other choice but to cave in to the only promotion that allows so many to make a coumfy living within the sport of MMA
Before he got with M1 he was managed by the Yakuza, who put a gun to his old managers head and forced him to sign over Fedor to him back in the Pride days. He has since "upgraded" to M1
Lmao. Poor Fedor man, he's such a good guy. A humble champion and a fighter with a unique style and demeanor. It's a shame a lot of new fans to the sport will never recognize what a legend and special fighter he is/was. He really has nothing to lose as this point though, and I think it's finally time for him to fight in the UFC. His legacy is already cemented, but if he got a few W's in the UFC he'd be held in even higher regard.
He is an owner of M1. You guys need to fact check. David aren't you a writer? Fedor is doing quite well and it's very easy to look this stuff up.
I could care less how much Fedor makes, hes irrelevant in the HW division almost everywhere. If he wants to be more relevant he'll have to make a change and plan block Finkle for a change. Personally I dont think M1 makes as much as everyone thinks. Ask Dana it costs a small fortune to promote an entire event and pay fighters (inflated amounts as you say) Wheres the profit when its done?
M1 is hurting, its obvious since their cash cow has been dethroned.
Once again M-1 Global brings our hopes up about bringing Fedor in the UFC. It's not going to happen.
You are correct sir!
He says Dana wants him but I seriously do not think he does. he wanted him before he got beat by everyone. But not now because any true MMA fan knows he will lose horribly. Just a few names to mention JDS, Overeem, Cain, Mir, oh and lets noit mention HEndo could move up and KO him AGAIN!!! LOL Fedor talk is to funny.
Despite being a martial artist since the 1970's I was not aware of pride until it was ending. I did not see most of Fedor's reign except later on video. When I became aware of the UFC in its early days I regretted not being able to see Fedor fight. Despite that, now, I have little interest in seeing him fight. It feels like M1 Global has used him up and discarded him as having little use left.
I will be able to see him fight in the UFC like I did with Cro Cop. Good but not Fantastic. It's too bad. I'm sorry I missed him in his prime. I'm sorry he didn't come to the UFC after prime.
Oops, "after Pride"
its funny how you say that, did you not follow the sport? did you not see this guy beat everything they put against him for 10 years? doing what fedor did is unheard of nowadays i rank him second best all time to anderson silva, i do agree with one thing you said m-1 global is a joke and did more damage to his career then good. but all i have to say is i hope fedor does come to the ufc then all these people who just started watching the sport a year ago and thought brock lesnar was invincible will see what fedor is capable of, these new heavyweights are honestly waaay to hyped up with the exception of jds who is a monster fedor will light a fire under the division and bring in HUUUUGE numbers get it done dana for everyone whos been waiting for this for waaaay too long
I have been a fan of MMA for many years and even have fought myself. And I am telling you Fedor will be a kicking can in the UFC. I honestly do not think he could beat any top ten or even 20 guy in the UFC. I was not impressed with him in his prime and definitely not now. I think it would be best if he keep fighting bums over seas. If he comes to the UFC everyone will truly see just how overated this guy is. He wouldnt even have a prayer at lhw Jones would make him a joke.
Jones is the joke, not Fedor.
then you obviously dont know what your talking about hes defeated past champs and was seconds away from putting away hendo who is considered top 10 before he got reckless, maybe time has caught up to fedor a bit but if you think that your underestimating one of the best fighters to ever fight, like i said hopefully he does come to the ufc to show everyone hes still one of the best
Optimuspride? 8))
Agreed. I think he will come to the UFC eventually. But he'll only be a shadow of what he was in Pride.
But I'd still pay to see him fight someone like Shogun or Rampage or even Bones. I think he could beat all those guys even though he's well past his prime.
Well past his prime?? He's only in his mid thirty's. Younger than Ander Silva, quite a bit younger than Hendo, who killed him..
And even though he is well past his prime, he can still beat the best 9 out of 10 guys they feed him. Mid-thirties is old in this sport. There are some exceptions to this, but not many. As much as I hate to say it, the younger generation has all but taken over.
Thanks Oh Great One Finkelstein......for bestowing the great Fedor upon the UFC, for they have been waiting patiently for your blessing in this matter for many moons now.......
Now let the Fedor beatings begin. Which HW wants a piece of his over-rated, washed up ass first?
I know I am about to get a bunch of coments from Fedor fans but oh well. I have never been or will be a Fedor fan. Come on Greatest Heavyweight SERIOUSLY!!!! The guy got smashed by a small lhw and Hendo cant even win a belt in the mw division in the ufc. Fedor will get his butt smashed in the UFC. His fight with BigFoot was not even competitive and I do not see Big Foot having much success in the UFC. The guys there are Beast and the best in the world. DOes anyone honestly think Fedor would have the record he does if he even fought half his fights in the UFC and not any bumm they could give him? He has only beat has beens once he came to the states he got his butt handed to him. PLEASE!!! every one stop talking about this irrelevant fighter!!! AGAIN PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You really want to get the UFC don't you? Kiss Dana's ass some more. I disagree. I think he fights and not try to get by and win a decision. I am a Fedor fan cause I love it when some actually fights and throws punches and shoots every now and then. Not sit there and be on the defensive as a fighter. People like him because he does this.
Now, here's where I agree with you. He has quit weightraining and has become a fat cat. His training methods are old and not good anymore. Does M-1 need to get over the Co-Promotion thing? YES.
M-1 needs to let the man fight.
One question? Dana thinks Brock was a great fighter. Do you? I disagree because Fedor fought Heath Herring and made his face look like it wen't through a meat grinder. Fedor has fought really good fighters in their prime. Brock got beat by good fighters. His wins were against Cans. YES cans. Couture was 100 yrs old and Carwin has never beat anyone except Mir.
Fedor does fight to win and not to lose because there is a difference. No I do not think Brock is a good fighter I think he was an incredible amauter wrestler and had amazing strength and speed for his size. But once he start fighting people that were actually tough he started getting beat down. I persoanlly do not think he could have beat Couture say 30 years ago.LOL Lesnar got really lucky in the Carwin fight but you can not call Carwin a can. He would beat Fedor in devastating fashion.
If Finkle was only a manager and not vested in M1. This entire situation would be very different. Finkle is all fine with it, if he gets rich, but if he personally cant cash in, he doesnt give a crap. I agree Finkle is the worst thing to ever happen to Fedor. If Fedor wont make the change, then its his own silly fault. Looking forward to Dana's reply about this video lol...scathing Im sure.
Fedor is an owner of M1. So this makes no sense.
Fedor can stay an owner and fight somewhere else. You make no sense.
Taken from wikipedia but there is plenty of other sources try google.
"MMA-1 (Mixed Martial Art) is the mixed martial arts promotion based in Amsterdam - The Netherlands which organizes between 100 and 200 competitions per year. The public faces of M-1 Global are President, Vadim Finkelstein[1] and part-owner Fedor Emelianenko.[2]
The REAL question that everyone seems to be avoiding is whether or not Fedor's entourage of mountain men with three foot beards will be present to help him obtain UFC gold. Unless this issue is resolved, it seems doubtful that Fedor will ever enter the octagon.
Cool...its like TUF meets the Sopranos...
The only way Fedor will ever fight in UFC is that he will have to fire his agents or they will need to agree with UFC on all negotiations. Fedors reps have been nothing but a pain in ass trying to bully and hog the financial proceedes...
Vadim is delusional. I love Fedor, but he is past his prime and what's left of his legacy would be abolished
Dude, first off gsp does not make 5 million per fight unless he is playing Vegas and picking which round he beats guys. I am talking fight purses,
Published information. You are saying he makes as much as a boxing champ which isn't close to true. Gsp doesn't event make as much as Tito Ortiz. Why? Because Tito is married to a seasoned business woman and is fairly smart for an ape.
Fedor is a part owner of M1 look it up. Look up fighters net worths while you are at it. The man doesn't need to fight for money anymore. It should be obvious by his negotiations.
Yeaaaahhh!!!!!!Wanna FEDOR in the UFC , that would be great , win or lose doesn´t matter . Fedor always will be Fedor , for me:
Fedor fighting = no boring fight
Refer to post number one on this page.
Dana White: Im totally laughing my ass off so much that I that sharted my pants! plus and Im grinning! did I mentioned that like Charlie Im also winning? =D
i dont think any1 wants to see fedor in the ufc not at heavyweight anyway every1 is far too big for him and if he cant even deal with dan henderson then imagine what mir, cain, jds, carwin and the likes would do to him
Федор всего лишь хочет биться с хорошими бойцами. И ничего другого. Да и просто так, ради боя ему не следует подписывать контракт с UFC. При любых сделках должны выигрывать обе стороны, а не только одна. Так что просто нужно Дане и Вадиму идти на компромисс.
Vadim is right only about one thing and that is Fedor could make the UFC a Shit load of money....Can you imagine the ratings if Fedor fought Randy Couture? Nougiera? Cro Cop? Dana would have to be really damn stubborn or stupid not to sign Fedor to at least those fights.