Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

by Kid Nate on Dec 20, 2007 8:40 AM EST in MMA News

Anytime soon at least. Steve Sievert of the Houston Chronicle got the scoop from Randy in a post he headlined "UFC turns down Couture vs. Fedor." Here's what Randy told him:

We got an official offer from M-1 to the UFC to do a co-promotion for the Couture-Emelianenko fight, and they (UFC) rejected that offer. Really, the only thing standing in the way for that fight right now is Dana and the UFC. Obviously, M-1 is happy to do a co-promotion like that. It only serves to help them. I think the UFC is looking at it the other way, and it's like why do we want to help out another organization? The fans want to see that fight. At some point, you have to put that first.

It was probably expecting a bit much for the UFC to cross-promote with any organization, especially one that stole both Fedor and now Randy Couture away from them. But all I know is, as a fan, I really really want to see this fight. This year, before Randy gets too old to be competitive.

It seems most likely to me that M-1 won't even get a TV deal of any kind and if this match does happen it will be a whimper, not a bang due to lack of promotion, little mainstream interest and no no no marketing to speak of.

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Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

I'll also throw out that these kind of stories always lead to a lot of "oh! The UFC is robbing the fans of a good fight!" noise.

The truth is...we don't know what M-1's terms were. Sure they were "willing to co-promote" the fight...but were they thinking they should get an even cut of the gate when it would be the UFC's marketing that drives the revenue? Were they wanting too much control of the undercard? There is a lot that goes into these deals and it's never as simple as "okay...we'll co-promote! No strings attached!"

If I were running the UFC there isn't any way I would help out an upstart that is hoping to be the next titan in the game...and that is before any sort of those other details even come into play.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 20, 2007 9:51 AM EST reply actions

Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

No doubt. I understand why they're doing it. I just want to see Randy vs Fedor.

by Kid Nate on Dec 20, 2007 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

Agreed. If the fight were to happen in the USA it is very possible that I will fly to wherever to make sure I am there live.

I've just already seen all kinds of UFC bashing for not just throwing aside their own best interests to make the fight happen. Sometimes Santa just can't give you that Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle...

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 20, 2007 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

Good comment Brent. I'm glad you actually looked past the whole "Anti-UFC/Dana's a bitch" concept. This is the only site that I read comments. The UFC is lookin at it from business perspective and not a please the fans perspective. If all a business does is try to please the fans all the time then your business will be fucked. I'm actually starting to care less if the fight happens at all. There has already been too much bullshit trying to get this fight to happen.

by marco054 on Dec 20, 2007 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

I'm not sure where I read it (I read too many mma blogs/sites) but I'm certain Randy has previously stated this fight will hopefully be happening in October or November of the next year. Perhaps it will be saved for a year-ending card, which would make sense. Having this fight on a Yarrenoka! caliber show would be monstrous.

by Simco on Dec 20, 2007 10:46 AM EST reply actions

Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

I don't know that it would really be that huge. If you don't have the marketing it isn't going to do anything for a promotion in the American market. Could it be huge in Japan if put on there? Sure...

But would it be huge for a promotion (m-1) to hold it in Japan and not get anything out of the fight from the American market? Not really.

I guess what I'm saying is: Huge for us hardcore fans? Yeah. Huge for the casual (read: majority of the market) MMA fan? Nah...not really.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 20, 2007 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

"It seems most likely to me that M-1 won't even get a TV deal of any kind"

Isn't the M-1/former Pride Yarrenoka card being aired on HDNet? Isn't it likely that HDNet would continue doing M-1 shows if they were interested?

by MikeyPatriot on Dec 20, 2007 12:37 PM EST reply actions

Re: Randy vs Fedor: It Ain't Happening

I'm really kind of over this fight happening. The more I think about it, the more I see Couture hitting Emelianenko with an elbow, Emelianenko bleeding like a stuck pig, and the fight ending in a doctor's stoppage due to cut.

by Richard Wade on Dec 21, 2007 12:52 AM EST reply actions