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What Is M-1?

by Michael Rome on Feb 9, 2008 6:16 PM EST in News Comment 16 comments

The news of Tim Sylvia talking of going to M-1 got me thinking again about M-1 Global's future. Last October they signed Fedor, and started talking about potential TV deals. After the smoke has settled, four months later, they seem to be no closer to doing a show, getting on TV, or signing any fighters besides Fedor.

Financially, M-1 needs to be willing to take some major hits to even survive a show. Fedor commands 2 million dollars alone. Add in cost of venue, the salary for the rest of the roster, cost of advertising, flying guys in, and all of the other smaller costs, and it's hard to imagine how M-1 can do an event without losing at least 1.5 million dollars. If they pay a lot for a guy like Barnett or Sylvia, even more.

I would not be surprised if we never see a M-1 show. It appears to be little more than a front company dedicated to promoting Fedor. From speaking with some fighters that were initially interested, they've also come to the conclusion that this thing is a sham. Financially I can't see how they have a shot, even if they get small TV or run a couple of shows. That Fedor contract is utterly crippling for a new company. I just hope no fighters get caught up in all of this.

0 recs | Comment 16 comments

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Re: What Is M-1?

>signing any fighters besides Fedor.
Wrong.
http://russianmma.com/2008/01/antonio-mendes-samuray-signing-m-1.html
http://russianmma.com/2008/01/eddie-alvarez.html

I wonder if you have read the article with plenty of details about M-1 Global's future (this year):
http://russianmma.com/2008/01/fedor-emelianenko-m-1-global-future.html

- mixed, not shaken
Editor-in-Chief: All About Russian Mixed Martial Arts (Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksander, M-1 Global,etc)

by mikser on Feb 9, 2008 8:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

3 fighters doesn't make you a promoter, it makes you a manager.

by jemaleddin on Feb 10, 2008 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

So your point is?..

We didn't talk about promoter/manager titles. I only commented that M-1 Global has more than fighters than only Fedor.

- mixed, not shaken
Editor-in-Chief: All About Russian Mixed Martial Arts (Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksander, M-1 Global,etc)

by mikser on Feb 10, 2008 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

I should have clarified the signing any fighters. I am talking about names that will actually mean something when they debut in the US, the kind of names Monte Cox talked on and on about.

That article is full of details that doesn't answer the question of how they can do this without completely losing their ass and everyone pulling out after one show. I was listening to Monte Cox on Sherdog radio, and it sounded to me like they have no idea what's going on.

by Michael Rome on Feb 9, 2008 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

I haven't heard it (no paid account) :(

Well, they have $300 (or was it 200 after all?) millions for this venture. I think they can make it through this year. :))

- mixed, not shaken
Editor-in-Chief: All About Russian Mixed Martial Arts (Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksander, M-1 Global,etc)

by mikser on Feb 9, 2008 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

I think you nailed it on the head when you said a front. I think they're using Fedor to shop for co promotions M1 can use the other promoters roster to fill out the undercard and the co promoter can use Fedor and any other marquee names they sign to headline the event. Theyre essentially hoping to just rent Fedor and grab a chunk of the profits.

Dana would be stupid to leave anyone for Fedor to fight IE Barnett, AA, Sylvia. If they lock down these guys they'll strangle M1 with Fedors huge guarantee.

by RT on Feb 9, 2008 9:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

Actually, Eddie Alvarez isn't signed to M-1 Global. He's signed to Elite XC. His contract allows him to fight in M-1 Global on a separate basis, but there's been no indication that he has ever signed a contract with them. But would you have really expected the guy running the Fedor/M-1 Global...oops, 'Russian MMA' blog to point that out?

by ilostmydog on Feb 9, 2008 9:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

Your nick should be ilostmysense. "As a part his agreement with EliteXC, Alvarez will also be allowed to compete for the M-1 Global promotion." The agreement doesn't say that he can fight in any organization. It only says about M-1 Global. So there are quite a good chances that Alvarez will be in M-1 Global. We just don't officially know it yet.

Are you implying that I am somehow affiliated with M-1?

- mixed, not shaken
Editor-in-Chief: All About Russian Mixed Martial Arts (Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksander, M-1 Global,etc)

by mikser on Feb 9, 2008 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

Saying that there is a 'good chance' Alvarez will fight in M-1 Global is considerably different than saying that he IS signed to M-1 Global, which is what you were trying to say.

And I'm not implying you are affiliated with M-1, although you are a total shill for them and have never said anything that didn't portray in them in the most positive light. I am, however, implying that the Russian MMA scene must be absolutely sluggish, because judging by your blog the vast majority of 'Russian MMA news' somehow involves Fedor, M-1 Global, Randy Couture, and the UFC.

by ilostmydog on Feb 9, 2008 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

>Saying that there is a 'good chance' Alvarez will
>fight in M-1 Global is considerably different than
>saying that he IS signed to M-1 Global, which is
>what you were trying to say.
I think that he has signed a contract, judging from the mention of M-1 Global in his Elite XC contract. It just hasn't been officially announced yet. Although I can see your point in saying "if it's not official - it doesn't exists". As an excuse I can note that only the header was linking M-1 and contract, and the news itself was 100% valid.

>And I'm not implying you are affiliated with M-1,
Good. Because I'm not.

>although you are a total shill for them and
>have never said anything that didn't portray
>in them in the most positive light.
That's not true. Agree, I have said much more good things about them than bad. But that's because I am an optimist and still believe in their success. The whole idea of my site started because I saw an a great opportunity to make it big (counting on Fedor's and M-1's success). Counting on them, but not affiliating. There were only few things I didn't like about M-1 Global. One is their lie about Fedor's NY fight. Another is their failure to deliver the information they promised to deliver during the first press-conference. Or yeah, and about the constant delays as well. I reported about all of them.

>I am, however, implying that the Russian MMA
>scene must be absolutely sluggish, because
>judging by your blog the vast majority of
>'Russian MMA news' somehow involves Fedor,
>M-1 Global, Randy Couture, and the UFC.
That's true. There are some expected problems with it (I won't go into much details about the development strategy for the site). I can assure you that it will change pretty soon.

- mixed, not shaken
Editor-in-Chief: All About Russian Mixed Martial Arts (Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksander, M-1 Global,etc)

by mikser on Feb 9, 2008 10:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

Your response is refreshingly honest. Good luck on the blog.

by ilostmydog on Feb 9, 2008 11:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

Thanks!

- mixed, not shaken
Editor-in-Chief: All About Russian Mixed Martial Arts (Fedor Emelianenko, Aleksander, M-1 Global,etc)

by mikser on Feb 9, 2008 11:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

RT: Allowing Sylvia to go will only hurt M-1. They'll probably have to pay him another 250k to fight Fedor, for a fight that won't draw any better than Fedor v. Me. Even funnier would be if Sylvia beat him in a decision.

by Michael Rome on Feb 9, 2008 11:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

I think Sylvia vs Fedor would draw pretty good. Former UFC Heavy Weight Champion vs #1 HW in the world and last reigning Pride Champion. That fight sells it self. Its one of the only fights they could really have a chance on breaking even. Tito, Arlovski and Randy would be the other guys that could draw well against fedor, other then these fights there arnt any that would make enough to justify Fedors 2mil.

by RT on Feb 10, 2008 9:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

I think you are way overstating Sylvia's draw. He is just a guy, a face on a card. If anything, he hurts UFC draws. Take away Lesnar from Feb's card and that show probably does the lowest buyrate since 2005.

To break even, they'd need to do well over 100,000 buys on a 39.99 ppv. The Pride show did 30,000, and Bodog's show with Fedor/Lindland did 13,000. Fedor/Tim would not break 25, it would be a disaster of epic proportions. Fedor's name means absolutely zilch in the U.S. market.

by Michael Rome on Feb 11, 2008 2:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Is M-1?

M-1 incurring huge losses would be nice.

by Richard Wade on Feb 11, 2008 3:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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