Vadim Finkelstein: Zuffa-Strikeforce deal was done behind M-1's back
Posted on March 28, 2011, 07:13 AM by Anton GurevichFor the first time since Dana White's announcement of the deal between ZUFFA and Strikeforce, M-1 Global CEO Vadim Finkelstein gave his reaction on the surprising turn of events. In an interview to Championat.ru, disappointed Finkelstein revealed that the deal was done behind M-1's back, but still promised "business as usual" for M-1 Global:
Date: 17.3.2011
All I can say is that everybody handles their business in their own way. This deal was a total surprise to me, since it was done behind our back. I didn't know anything about the course of any negotiation [between ZUFFA and Strikeforce].
Nevertheless, it wouldn't have any sort of effect on M-1 as a company, and on Fedor Emelianenko as a fighter. We will continue to operate in the same way we did before.
- Did you speak to Scott Coker about the issue? What did he tell you?
No, I didn't speak to Scott Coker about it. And to tell you the truth, I don't think the topic will surface up when we meet. If he ever wanted to discuss this deal, he would tell me about it a while ago, at its early stage.
- Is there a new possibility of co-promoting with the UFC?
It's not something that is up to us. If the UFC would like to work with us, we are ready to consider their offer. I said not once that we are interested in working with this company, so we'll see.
Finkelstein also related to the positive aspect of the deal. M-1 boss stated that he believes fans will get to see new exciting match-ups, something that was impossible with Strikeforce and the UFC as completely separate companies.
As for Fedor Emelianenko, according to recent reports "The Last Emperor" will fight sometime this summer, against a yet unknown opponent. It will be Fedor's fourth fight as part of the co-promotional deal between Strikeforce, Showtime and M-1 Global.
Last Saturday M-1 Global celebrated their first event on Showtime, which was labelled by company's representatives, fans and critics alike as "successful". The next M-1 show will take place on 28 April, at The Ice Palace in St.Petersburg, Russia. The event will be headlined by M-1 Challenge Welterweight bout between Shamil Zaruv and the reigning Champion Rashid Magomedov. M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Title fight between Vinny Magalhaes and Viktor Nemkov will serve as a co-headliner.
Comments
Why would the ufc co-promotte with M1? Now its all zuffa. M1 should co-promote with bellator in the future. They do have some good russian fighters to share.
why ...? because white want s ufc too be the 1 and only brand ! even if smaller brands can help dana does not want too return the favour !
All jokes aside, last M1 event so good i heard, I saw the main event fight on youtube, was a good fight.
that wasnt even the best fight, youtube mogaman
for some reason my comment was cut short ,his nick name is white wolf is was an awesome ass beating
ok will check it out :)
sr Vlad the deal was done behind everybodies back dont feel all alone
From Fink's tone and comments, I strongly doubt any M-1 fighter will fight in the UFC when Strikeforce folds. There is no way the UFC will co-promote.
The guy is crazy if he thinks before Strikeforce sold the company they would notify him or ask his permission? Such deals are always top secret until they are closed.
Zuffa does not need M-1 or Fedor.
Sorry, why should we care? He is notoriously awkward to deal with. If Fedor's legacy suffers in the future it is arguably his mismanagement the cause.
I don't know if I should "Weak" or "Cool" this article, but either way those filthy, conniving Russians finally got a bit of just deserts. Those bastards are one of the main reasons Pride failed (everyone read into the story about how Red Devil Fight Club broke away from Russian Top Team so avoid contract responsibilities and allow Fedor to fight for Inoki) not to mention the control/ruination of Fedor's career and legacy. Suck it you whiny ****s, finally got a bit of what was coming to them. Dirty backroom dealings and abuse of power should never be tolerated, and the Universe finally gave them a litte Come-uppance.
DW doesnt negotiate with terrorists.
Yes, he only negotiates with other Bald headed men.
Btw. Finkelstein, Kogan these names dont look russian to me at all...
Don't you dare man, slippery slope because I know what you're hinting at and you're gonna end up banned LOL
George, I know you are an informant for the KGB...Your days of hiding are over!
Hahaha I was more thinking of his comment on the names... Culturally, what kind of name is "Finkelstein"?....
drink fink
all i think is the guy from beerfest
Who is Jewish. He was hinting that (they don't sound like Russian names so..) they sound like Jewish names. He just did a very subtle job of making a racist joke about Jewish people and their ties to money, corruption, etc.
Who cares?
They should change their name to M-Done.
Excellent turn of the phrase
@ Bruce
Thank you Mr. Lee, but the "turn" was a tad obvious.
poor guy...things just have not been the same for the russians since Stallone beat Lundgren in the 80s....although i gotta admit, that fight looked a little rigged to me. ;-)
Interesting....This could sour the M-1 / Strikeforce relationship a bit.
Dana White & Zuffa really put it to M-1 this time. They pretty much stole the cow from M-1.
M-1 shows are still awesome to watch and Fedor made Strikeforce, before him it wasn't much. Showtime will simply switch to focus on M-1 instead of Strikeforce down the line, like they switched from EliteEX to Strikeforce before that.
I disagree StrikeForce was doing very well b4 the got M-1, and Fedor
They were okay, but they didn't get a big name until after Fedor.
M1 has to realize that they are a management team that is behaving differently than all the other management teams. The need to get in line with the rest or wither on the vine.
By bowing down to zuffa?
why would ufc consider co-promoting with a half-criminal organization like m-1 ?
Может УФК преступная организация? Что за бред несешь недоумок.
Right, and you have allthis proof right? Just because dana calls them crazy russians doesn't mean everything. All these zuffa shill websies bash M-1 because they are in bed with zuffa, and everything they report ends up being false. Who are the real criminals?
Yeah there ya go, coward, the hundredth guy to acknowledge that M-1 are criminals and filthy ****s and you can't even respond with words anyone here will understand? WEAK
Ненадо ругатся, М-1 по моему полный калл во всех аспектах шоу, тоесть м1 это лажа как шоу(хоть и бойцы и бои бывают очень хорошие) что касается этой организации в плане бизнеса то такое ощущение будто они нарочно пытаются затормозить развитие мма в России, своими ходами особенно когда это косается взоимотношений с уфк.
Oh great, now Dana has annoyed the Russians......this can't go well.
Good 1 Dana!
Эти вонючие rusians пытались сильной рукой нас американцы в сделки, которые не имеют никакого смысла. M1 кучу террористических трусы, которые только ищут свой кусок пирога в мире ММА. Если они действительно хотят, чтобы их собственное продвижение, зачем пытаться и работать вместе для продвижения? Они просто пытаются Лич изображения других, более заметных брендов. Глупые русские с неприятным запахом тела!
some things are just as simple as they appear to be, the moneyman backed out and someone else with money stepped in, get over it, save the conspiracy theories for 9/11
:'( You ok muffin?