What Would Fedor Mean For EliteXC?

by Michael Rome on Mar 25, 2008 7:05 PM EDT in News Comment 14 comments

The big news story today is the possibility of Fedor joining Elite XC. The news is slightly surprising considering Kim Couture's recent remarks disparaging EliteXC and suggesting that a Randy/Fedor fight would not take place there.

Many have suggested that this would be absolutely huge for EliteXC, but realistically it does nothing for them in terms of meeting the business goals they need to meet on their first show. Fedor will not draw a TV rating for them, though he might sell some seats. If anything he would be an additional high-price fighter for a company already losing money at an astounding rate. Frankly, given their needs right now, name value is what they need, not internet icons that made their name in Japan.

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Re: What Would Fedor Mean For Elite XC?

I'm not sure I entirely agree with you here. While many still haven't seen him fight, most casual MMA or fight fans know who the man is. I've had multiple people I know who aren't that into it and maybe catch an episode or two of TUF or a PPV at a bar say "Yo dude.... I saw a clip of this guy and he's the best fighter in the world. You gotta check him out. His names Fidor or something like that." They tout him as the best heavyweight on the planet and simply say he destroyed the current UFC champ not once but twice. Unless they pull in Tito then there's really no one bigger. I love Arlovski but at this point anyone who knows Andrei Arlovski knows Fedor Emelianenko. Plus, the potential for a Couture-Fedor matchup would be huge. Plain and simple. I'd take Kim Couture's comments with a grain of salt; if Fedor were to sign with EliteXC, you bet your ass Randy would be pushing hard to be able to sign that fight. As much as he says he'll do the fight anywhere but the UFC, I bet that if Dana and co. are able to lock in Fedor then it will only be a matter of a few weeks before Couture comes to terms with the UFC.

by dropkick101 on Mar 25, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For Elite XC?

None of the casual fans I know have any idea who Fedor is. Hell, I know guys who train that don't know who Fedor is and I doubt they'll order Showtime or a PPV to see him fight.

by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For Elite XC?

You know guys who train in mixed martial arts and don't know who Fedor Emelianenko is? Guys that actually sought out a place to go to train in MMA and don't know one of the biggest fighters in the history of the sport? Does no one talk MMA at the school in which you train at? Has the internet made it's way to wherever you live? I'm sorry if this is coming off rather awkward but I just can't believe that. That's crazy to me.

by dropkick101 on Mar 25, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For Elite XC?

You obviously don't train......

there got that out of the way..... I'm with you dropkick...wherever that place is they must be so self absorbed they can see past their own guard...

regarding what Mike posted

"Many have suggested that this would be absolutely huge for Elite XC, but realistically it does nothing for them in terms of meeting the business goals they need to meet on their first show."

Who's to even say he would fight on the fist show....I would use the first show to hype him up, show some of the ESPN sportscenter clips with Dana discussing him (ooh the irony) and Randy calling him the number one heavyweight....say he's the name on everyone's lips. Have the official contract signing live ....show him ringside.....entering the arena...give it big feel hype...

"Fedor will not draw a TV rating for them, though he might sell some seats."

Will fedor draw a rating for them initially? No, i think the spectacle of mma on CBS will draw something of a rating number, the challenge will be to take that spotlight and build on it. Having a guy you can hype as the # 1 heavyweight and top 3 pfp is a good building block.

"If anything he would be an additional high-price fighter for a company already losing money at an astounding rate."

Who are their high dollar fighters? Frank Shamrock maybe....Kimbo made 125k... If they can get Fedor to take a reasonable sum for the CBS fights (200 to 300k) with the ability for him to make much more on the PPV's then the financials could be worked out

"Frankly, given their needs right now, name value is what they need, not internet icons that made their name in Japan."

You're right... they need internet icons who made their name in miami boatyards and backyards, ala Kimbo lol. Ken Shamrock would have name value, for sure, but throwing him in there based on his latest performances would have the nation wondering about your legitimacy if he put on another take a dive-ish performance like he did against buzz berry.

by robnashville on Mar 25, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For Elite XC?

My wuss ass certainly doesn't train. I'm a runner/swimmer/cyclist type. But I have friends who train and they don't know who the hell Fedor is. Hell, some of them don't recognize a fair chunk of the guys in televised UFC bouts.

by Richard Wade on Mar 26, 2008 3:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For Elite XC?

It might be counterintuitive but it's true. When you're in the gym training, chances are you're not on the Internet reading about Fedor's behavior.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 25, 2008 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For Elite XC?

Most casual MMA fans I know would better be classified by being called UFC fans.

If it doesn't happen in the UFC, they have no clue about it.

by Tonley on Mar 26, 2008 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For EliteXC?

While I'm sure spending more time training means less time to idly surf the 'net - I think it borders on preposterousness to think someone that's training in mma has "no idea" who (arguably) best mma fighter ever is?

Even if you're a person that got into training b/c of the TUF generation, there's like a 98% chance you've heard of them b/c you're a UFC mark who has heard about him via Dana's love-hate relationship with him in the media.

Not to mention if the guys who train hadn't heard of him, you can bet your ass the guys training them have.

by The Gaijin on Mar 26, 2008 12:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For EliteXC?

Most people who train that I've encountered have heard of Fedor, but it wouldn't shock me if some hadn't. I can name GOOD purple belts who a) didn't know PRIDE was gone and b) that DREAM existed.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 26, 2008 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For EliteXC?

"Hell, I know guys who train that don't know who Fedor is and I doubt they'll order Showtime or a PPV to see him fight."

Well, the beauty of this rumor is that you'd get to show Fedor to your training partners for free on CBS.

by MikeyPatriot on Mar 26, 2008 1:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For EliteXC?

Elite will not be signing Fedor IMO.

by Tha Realness on Mar 26, 2008 7:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For EliteXC?

The problem with Fedor is that he isn't the most "exciting" guy for the casual crowd. He doesn't really have a personality (I know...the whole "terminator" thing gets some people excited) and he is very much a "get your business done and go home" kind of guy.

American crowds love showmen. I think he'd be a guy that is respected by everyone but never a huge drawing power unless it was against someone who could do the fight selling for him.

by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 26, 2008 9:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: What Would Fedor Mean For EliteXC?

EXC would be better off not signing Fedor and signing Tito once his contract expires after the Machida fight.

Simple fact is Fedor isn't even a Top 10 Draw for MMA in North America. Kimbo draws in more fans fighting cans than Fedor does as of right now.

Win or Lose that fight Tito is still a bigger name to casual MMA fans than Fedor simply due to his previous run in the UFC.

EXC needs fighters that draw more than fighters that are considered best in the world. EXC should focus on picking off unhappy UFC fighters. Start it with Tito and hopefully maybe get a fighter like Sylvia and the ball is rolling for them.

What good would Fedor do in EXC anyways? He would have no legit competition there and people would rag on Fedor for not signing with the UFC and fighting the legit HW compeition over there. He has two fights of any interest in EXC and they are Bigfoot Silva and Kimbo? Pretty weak.

by SilentMajority on Mar 26, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs