Fact, Fiction, And Fedor (Update)

[Warchief]

By now we’ve all read the ESPN.com article that claimed Fedor Emelianenko is on the verge of severing ties with M-1 Global.

After talking to numerous people this past week, I’ve learned that is indeed the case.

I was somewhat skeptical when I first read the article because it was for ESPN the Magazine, and having written for various print publications over the years, I can tell you that there is sometimes as much as a 2-3 month lag time when it comes to the time in which an article is finished and is actually published.

The rumors pertaining to Fedor’s potential departure have been swirling for several months and I had even spoken to several promotions that had claimed Emelianenko’s management team was soliciting proposals from them. However, in light of my recent CBSSports.com interview with M-1 Global CEO Monte Cox in which Cox said progress had been made between the two sides, I wasn’t sure if the ESPN article was using old quotes from when times were bad or if there had been a setback in talks.

Furthermore, in knowing that some in M-1 Global have blamed Apy Echteld as the primary reason for communication problems between the promotion and Fedor’s management, I was even more skeptical since he was quoted for the story.

However, after talking to sources connected to both sides, it’s pretty clear that there are still many issues that need to be worked out. One unnamed source even told me that they wouldn’t be surprised if Vadim Finkelstein, Fedor’s manager, even ended up trying to re-acquire the M-1 brand from Sibling Sports.

It’s still essential not to jump to conclusions. I’m reading a lot of sites that are already referring to Fedor as a free agent. He is not. In fact, a source also indicated that while unlikely, it’s still not impossible that an agreement is worked out and M-1 Global still ends up holding a show in the States this coming June that features Fedor.

So while a lot of people think they know what’s going to happen, nothing is for certain. One thing that I do believe is certain — and I don’t care how many people say it’s not out of the question — is that you will not see Fedor’s management suddenly come to an agreement with the UFC should Fedor become available again. If Fedor becomes available the real players for his services will be DREAM, Mark Cuban, and Golden Boy Promotions.

Source

[mauladala]

Didn't I just read a thread yesterday (or the day before) stating that Fedor's management was caught off guard by the fact Dana and the UFC would like to enter talks with them again and that they said they WOULD? I hate all this BS.

[Squeako]

God, what a clusterfuck.

[twankydawg]

So what the fuck. Is Fedor going to continue to sign with companies that offer him everything he wants yet haven't signed any other fighters and/or have not even held a fightcard yet? This is getting really fucking retarded, I'm starting to believe his management team are a bunch of fucking naive morons who have no clue what the fuck they are doing.

[mmasince91]

I really think Fedor is going to sign with the UFC. But I also seeing dream as a possilbilty. I wonder were this leaves Randys contract with HDnet.

[Bran]

did he just put golden boy promotions up there with HDNet and DREAM? that's a fucking stretch

[POINDEXTER]

Wake me up when it's over.

[GODKING7]

it will be between ufc and dream verybody else is out of the question!!

[MasterShake]

Fact or fiction I say neither Its just a bad case of the Fedor's. This is turning into a Ripley's Believe it or Not.

[knappman]

This is a clusterfuck and the mess is not going to be cleaned up anytime soon. If FE does sign with the UFC, Dana White would have probally gained one of the most questionable fighters in the world. When looking at what has happened to the all so dominant fighter Cro Cop when he entered the cage all he had was lackluster fights and werent that exciting... except the fight with Gongzaga where he droped him like a snack of potatoes.
Now we all half to look at what Randy Couture will do if FE signs with the UFC. With all the heat comming out between Dana White and Randy Coture I dont think we could see Randy fight in the UFC for a long time. If the fight does take place the UFC has to get Randy to fight Minotaro to get rid of the interm title. Then we would have to wait for FE to get some fights in the UFC and climb up the heavyweight ladder. The wait for the fight will be a long ways away between the two.
But we will have to wait and see how everything plays out and see if Dana could make the greatest heavyweight match ever made.