USA Today Interview About Fedor With M-1's Joost Raimond

by Blackout612 on Sep 4, 2008 6:02 PM EDT

Fronted by Luke Thomas.

Something about Fedor's relationship with M1 just doesn't sit right with me. They use Fedor as a major gambling chip to further themselves as a promotional entity. I do wonder if at some point Fedor could leave them, or if he has some iron-clad prisoner contract that ties down for the rest of his fighting days.

Regardless of all that, this interview contains a lot of critical information regarding how real the possibilities of Fedor fighting Couture in the UFC are. Turns out it's possible internationally and domestically, as Joost implies that Fedor's contract with Affliction contains clauses that would allow him to pursue the fight with Couture:

Q: From what UFC says, it's still trying to work things out with you guys. How much of a possibility is that at this point?

Raimond: Who knows? What that will do for a possible bout between Fedor and Randy, that's very difficult to say at this point in time. The only thing I can say from our side is that we are open and willing to work with any organization to make that fight happen, and we've also expressed that to the UFC. Irrespective of who the organizaton is, we're willing to work with anybody to do that.
The contracts that Fedor has at this point in time would allow for such a fight to take place, and specifically the Randy fight, so we're free to make that happen if the opportunity presents itself.

USA Today Interview with Joost Raimond

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According to Kim Couture:

“When Fedor signed the contract (with Affliction) it was cut out in the contract that they get him for a certain number of fights not including the Randy Couture fight. He’s free to fight Randy wherever, whenever.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/mma_experts/post/Couture-s-better-half-says-she-feels-sorry-for-L;_ylt=AhNE.VdWRkhFhrmX79vpfd49Eo14?urn=mma,105158

by smoogy on Sep 4, 2008 6:54 PM EDT 0 recs

That link got messed

Here we go.

by smoogy on Sep 4, 2008 6:54 PM EDT 0 recs

The kind of deal Finkie has on Fedor would make zuffa orgasm.

Now about this Fedor Couture thing…

You heard it here first:

Zuffa will never co-promote.

Fedor will never fight in the UFC unless he is locked into a contract with Zuffa.

This whole thing started a scheme cooked up by finkie, atencio and company to use Couture as a Trojan horse to try to get them to co-promote…

Little did they know The Dana had his own plans and pretty much convinced Randy to let go this pipe dream.

For some reason people think Zuffa will one day wake up and become stupid.

by mmalogic on Sep 4, 2008 6:58 PM EDT 0 recs

Here is a very telling quote in that article from the M-1 guy:

When asked weather Fedor might sign an exclusive contract with zuffa once his contracts with m-1 and affliction are up he said:

"At that point in time, just like everybody else, I’m not able to look into a crystal ball, but if there are no further contractual obligations, and our partnership with Affliction would allow it, and Fedor would still be fighting — I’m already calling out a lot of ifs — yeah, we’ll entertain anything, including a deal with the UFC.

And who knows, By that time, there might be other organizations who are very interesting to talk to. "

That last line is code for “once we bleed this puppy dry (affliction) we will look for the next one to bankrupt”.

by mmalogic on Sep 4, 2008 7:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Something about Fedor’s relationship with M1 just doesn’t sit right with me. They use Fedor as a major gambling chip to further themselves as a promotional entity. I do wonder if at some point Fedor could leave them, or if he has some iron-clad prisoner contract that ties down for the rest of his fighting days.

What I don’t understand is that people can’t understand loyalty and respect. How dare this millionaire live in a small town in an apartment! How dare he stay loyal to his manager! How dare he care more about his country and sport than the bottom dollar! I can go on in on.

American’s seem so blinded by all the sensational conjecture and promises, I’m going with the bland facts and time tested patterns.

1. I’ve never heard any instance where Fedor stated he wasn’t 100% committed to Fink’s management.

2. I’ve never heard anybody that had an agreement with Fedor upset with the outcome of such agreement. (Pride, M1-Global, Affliction) I have heard the opposite quite a bit. (Bodog might have had something to say but I don’t remember it, M-1certainly had some choice words about Bodog)

3. What I have heard is that Fink/Fedor both don’t like contracts and try to get by word and a handshake. This includes between themselves.

4. What I have heard is that for at least the last 3 fights with Pride no contracts were signed.

Sorry people as much as you want me to believe that Fedor is the corporate go-getter that sees his self worth green (are rubles green?) tinted glasses I fail to believe it. Go watch the Pride video that documents his training regime. His grappling facilities are like a 10×10 room, his weights kettlebells, his track a dirt road. Sure he has a really nice MMA gym available to cater to his every need in the Red Devil team, but does he use it?

Let the man enjoy his simple life. Just respect the man for beating all comers at his job of MMA. Just respect the man for promoting Sambo, the sport and hobby he loves in his downtime. Just respect the man for enjoying his family in a way out of the way small town in his small home.

by natyong on Sep 5, 2008 12:29 AM EDT 0 recs

Umm.. Not sure of your point

If there was even one in there.. Are you defending Fedor? Because I didn’t really say anything about Fedor. Or are you defending M1? Because you’re a hypocrite if you’re coming to all of these wild conclusions about me based on that one open-ended comment while dually defending the simplicity of their arrangement. I didn’t jump to any conclusions, I merely conjectured— but hey, you sound like you clink vodka glasses with Fedor from time to time. You’re telling me you can look at Fedor’s face and know what kind of life he leads? I don’t even know why you’re arguing that, I didn’t say anything about Fedor’s lifestyle. He could rip lines of coke off of Putin’s back in a crystal cave in Chechnya and I couldn’t care less. But maybe I don’t understand where you’re coming from because I’m a blind American (?). Or maybe you just don’t know what you were arguing to begin with.

Some people just like to argue, I guess..

by Blackout612 on Sep 5, 2008 12:43 AM EDT up 0 recs

The criticism is against his management not fedor…

Please read up on the back story of why pride went under. Everyone thinks it was the Yakuza ties that came out which undid the promotion but not many understand why and how those ties actually came about.

In the story you will also see the birth of finklestien and his mindset in terms of how he negotiates fedor.

Fedor not only beats all comers but leaves a trail of destruction of bankrupt promotions in his path.

by mmalogic on Sep 5, 2008 1:49 AM EDT up 0 recs

attributing Fedor’s management to any of this just seems a little far fetched to me. I’ll be willing to read most anything credible that you can link me to. I won’t pretend to know where those “ties” came about.

Fedor’s fought for Rings and Affliction which are still going, he’s fought for PRIDE FC which I’ll wait for your links, and he’s fought for Bodog which had way to many problems before Fedor’s one fight. Really Fedor vs Lindland was supposed to save the company? I haven’t heard any co-promoter or non female fighters have anything good to say about Bodog.

by natyong on Sep 5, 2008 2:46 AM EDT up 0 recs

Sorry, didn’t mean most of it to you. I didn’t expect it to turn into a rant with the meriads of people that continually doubt Fedor and his motives. You did somewhat in both of your conjectures, mmalogic did in this statement “The kind of deal Finkie has on Fedor would make zuffa orgasm.” To tell the truth it was even a little to myself (I’m American and didn’t even know you were) cause I’m still reading these thing regarding Fedor and his camp/promotion/manager that all say pretty much the same thing. If for some reason your still reading this then I’ll try and clear up why I included some of the things I did.

Yes, Fedor could leave Fink or M-1 almost anytime he wanted since I’m pretty sure there aren’t “iron-clad” contracts and am quite doubtful of true-written contracts. I’m sure it would be really messy as I believe a substantial chunk of both their net-worths is tied up in this business entity. $300,000 to Tim’s $800,000 when most believe Fedor’s the big draw? I don’t know anybody that doesn’t believe there was other compensation, but channels did compensation travel?

I don’t know that much about Fedor, I’m sure the majority of BE contributers know more than me. I do know a bit of the life he leads from news stories I read, interviews I watch, and his peers and business partners opinion of him. Who some one is and the life they lead to me is the biggest indicator of what future and present choices someone will make. His life choices are very relevant.

by natyong on Sep 5, 2008 2:16 AM EDT 0 recs

Fedor and Co. should keep playing hardball...

If Fedor and M1 don’t like the terms UFC/Dana is dictating, then they shouldn’t sign. Fedor is in a position where he can holdout because he doesn’t really have anything to prove. He’s already proven he can fight and he’s a draw.

From a business standpoint it doesn’t make sense for Fedor to sign a multi-fight deal if Dana/UFC is trying to treat him like other fighters. UFC didn’t make Fedor so why should he sign if the deal isn’t right? UFC created Randy and Tito. At the end of the day its in the best interest of both Fedor and UFC/Dana to get the best deal possible for each side. I bet alot of fighter currently signed to UFC wish they could do what Fedor is doing, but they can’t.

Forget fighting the best. When you have money involved its up to which match/fighters will make the most money. Dana wants Fedor bad because he can make more money. He’s just not going to give in too much because then it will affect how he negotiates with other fighters. I don’t blame him. He doesn’t want to give up leverage. I believe they will come to an agreement because its a win-win situation for both of them.

by Akorn on Sep 5, 2008 2:18 AM EDT 0 recs

Fedor isn't a legit draw

I believe to be a legit draw you have to justify your cost. We still haven’t seen numbers for Affliction, but touching 100k isn’t shit when you’re making millions. Not even close.

PS; I heart Fedor as a fighter. But I don’t care for his management. They seem really schemey to me, incase I haven’t already made that clear..

by Blackout612 on Sep 5, 2008 2:56 AM EDT up 0 recs

Just to emphasize what Blackout said: Fedor is NOT a draw. Like, not, not, not a draw. He doesn’t justify his paycheck to any organization other than an attempt to grab legitimacy. However, if the organization can’t draw people, the legitimacy is useless. The UFC doesn’t need legitimacy, so his main worth to them is that they can have him fight Randy and everyone will shut up. Of course, he’s a great fighter so over time they could build his image up. But he ain’t a draw right now in North America, not in any shape or form the way the UFC measures draws.

by Michaelthebox on Sep 5, 2008 3:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

I Fedor isn’t a draw I don’t know what is. Before the Randy incident I would say Fedor had no North American appeal, but since then and the Tim Sylvia fight he certainly does. I might be simple minded in thinking that a draw is getting a substantial paying crowd to pay watch you.

On the other hand the UFC namebrand is way bigger draw than anyone fighter. Fedor had a bigger draw then every fighter that joined the UFC from another organization and every fighter outside of the UFC (other than maybe Tito and Kimbo[apples and oranges]).

On a Legit draw I can kinda see Blackout’s point and might be inclined to somewhat agree with you, BUT there is a big picture when it comes to sports and specifically MMA. On sports in general NBC has been willing to take substantial losses to broadcast the Olympics because the prestige of the games translates into such goodwill to the company. Recently I came in contact with Dana comments on the failure with HBO and UFC to do a deal. Dana’s point was his PPV make tons of money and HBO’s didn’t. There point of few was there box broadcasts won multiple Emmy’s. The Goodwill to the HBO name of these awards and broadcast is were they found “legitimacy” to the financial draw of these shows. It’s like this for almost any major sports league and their TV deals/sponsorships.

No way Afflictions last show was expected to make money. If it was that easy to put on the a profitable show someone would have done it years ago as everybody wants to be a sports promoter. I doubt Affliction expected to make any money in from the events directly for it’s first 3 shows. The good will it gets for being the sponsor/promoter is where they will have to decide their payday is at. It’s the people that exposed to the Affliction brand in bars across the nation where the deciding factor lies. Today’s new TV Commercials are the Lenovo laptops on the desk with Bob Costas during the olympics or the Coca-Cola cups of the American Idol judges.

I’m not saying Affliction in the fight promotion business is going to survive, but I seriously doubt they expected this to be a very quick payoff for them.

by natyong on Sep 5, 2008 4:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

affliction expected more than 250k buys… they got less than 100k.

by mmalogic on Sep 5, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up 0 recs

Imagine for a second if fedor destroyed tim in the UFC… what do you think that would have done for him?

by mmalogic on Sep 5, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up 0 recs

My point failed again I guess. I think any good entertaining fighter would be a huge draw in the UFC, BUT it isn’t that fighter that is the true draw its the UFC and the UFC hype machine that is the draw.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard how long the UFC hemorrhaged money before it became profitable. Only other promotion operation that I’ve even heard of that’s consistently profitable is Strikeforce and I’m pretty sure that didn’t happen overnight either.

Fighters make promotions, BUT promoters make them profitable.

Rampage and Silva where nobody before the UFC, Crocop, Wandy, and Hendo are still nobodies, although Wandy is a nobody that Chuck beat in an interesting fight.

I’m not going to compare any fighter outside of the UFC with a fighter in the UFC. I seriously doubt any fighter that has left the UFC or will in the near future will do half (being very generous) the PPV buys they did in UFC.

The thing with Fedor is that UFC has hyped Fedor. He wasn’t anybody in the North American market, but then Randy leaving to fight him and the UFC with all the litigation did hype Fedor and he and Affliction benefited greatly.

I’m sorry I don’t understand what you want to happen here. You want Fedor to leave Finkelstein and then sell his image and career over to Dana, just like 95% of the fighters do just so we can see him fight Lesnar, Frank Mir, Big Nog, and Couture? or do we throw him to Cain(real deal in my book) and the other no names? Sorry I’ll take Fedor vs. Sylvia and Fedor vs. Barnett/Arlovski any day over any two of these fighters anyday. The majority will probably disagree with me, but that’s the current semi-realistic option want. I also want Fedor to be happy to be happy with where he’s at and I seriously doubt he would be happy in the UFC in the long run.

by natyong on Sep 5, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Are you saying they are nobodies b/c the casual fans don’t know them?

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on Sep 5, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Exactly

In turn, when prescribing to that logic, Fedor is a nobody. The casual MMA fan can name Wanderlei over Fedor— I’d stake anything on that.

by Blackout612 on Sep 5, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Especially after the mauling of Keith Jardine, people know who Wanderlei Silva is.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard on Sep 5, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Okay Wanderlei is a somebody. My flawed logic was casual fans know who he is, but don’t know his name. But they might know Silva since there’s so many of them in the UFC and they are all pretty good. It’s like the new Gracie name without the hype and damn good records to back them up.

by natyong on Sep 5, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Again, your point is lost

So you’re implying that Fedor is a draw…. but fighters aren’t really draws?

And where is the quantifiable benefit for Fedor and Affliction of Fedor being discussed by Randy and Dana (and never once on actual UFC programming)?

Lastly, I don’t see anyone calling for Fedor to leave Fink. I merely speculated that if he decided to move on in the future, for any reason whatsoever, could he? You’ve certainly taken plenty of liberties with that, to then feel misunderstood yourself..

by Blackout612 on Sep 5, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

In order:

Yes,Fedor is a draw as far as fighters go, We define draw differently though. MichaeltheBox defined it as, “He doesn’t justify his paycheck to any organization other than an attempt to grab legitimacy.” I do think though that in today’s MMA marketplace a vast majority of that drawing power is in the promotion of UFC. Comparing numbers of a first time promotion with a stalwart like UFC and then giving those number directly to the fighter is wrong. UFC could put on a PPV of only first time fighters and I bet could get better numbers of 90% of promotions out there.

Fedor benefiting from Randy/UFC hype: Randy was on ESPN saying he has one fight left and want to fight the man Fedor. That’s Hype. Dana suing Randy’s pants off to keep him from this fight is hype. Dana calling press conferences in regards to it is hype. Brock Lesnar’s recent blow up regarding Press asking about Fedor is Hype.

In Regards to someone wanting Fedor to leave Fink: (mmalogic is who I quoted)
mmalogic said:

The criticism is against his management not fedor…

Please read up on the back story of why pride went under. Everyone thinks it was the Yakuza ties that came out which undid the promotion but not many understand why and how those ties actually came about.

In the story you will also see the birth of finklestien and his mindset in terms of how he negotiates fedor.

Fedor not only beats all comers but leaves a trail of destruction of bankrupt promotions in his path.

If that isn’t anti Fink I don’t know what is. I read it as Fink very responsible for the end of PRIDE. I just made the jump that he really doesn’t like Fink so he might want Fedor to leave him. All that being said I wasn’t sure if that was a valid conclusion to draw on mmalogic’s part SO I prefaced it with confusion and punctuated with a question mark.

by natyong on Sep 6, 2008 12:29 AM EDT up 0 recs

And even still

You danced around the Fedor being a draw subject. How is he a draw, then? You’re discussing a seperate topic when indicating that the UFC is good at marketing. The question is, how is Fedor a draw?

by Blackout612 on Sep 6, 2008 12:36 AM EDT up 0 recs

I’m pretty sure I’ve qualified all my “draw” statements and if your just going to ignore them I don’t know what to say.

We are never going to agree. I’ll put it this way if people are interested in something then they want to know what the best in that something is. This is marketable (a draw). Fedor at 28-1-0 and unbeaten in 8 years is that. If marketed/promoted right, how isn’t he a draw? I’m sure if Dana signed him he could make his second fight the biggest ever by far,if not his first fight.

If Affliction marketed him like UFC would: billboards beat UFC “interm Heavyweight champion” TWICE decisively. 90% of UFC fighters polled believe he is the best eva even Baroni.

Is that enough DRAW/hype/marketability? I’ve spent to much time on this. Contrary to what you may believe I didn’t do all this to argumentative. I just disagree. I DID start this with my rant which I did immediately apologize for and try to explain at your request. I’m done explaining as any response I have seems to make you doubt my motives more and I’ll just hunker down and this hole I’ve dug and hopefully the MMA world of BE will forget I’m down here.

by natyong on Sep 6, 2008 1:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

Fedor isn't a draw for the casual fan, but...

I agree he isn’t a main draw for the average person buying PPV. That’s only because people in North America aren’t familiar with him, yet. If Fedor wins his next few fights I guarantee the average fan will know him. Everybody likes a winner. As long as he keeps beating people, his mystic only grows. You don’t think the average fan didn’t hear about how quickly he beat Tim Sylvia? If he beats the winner of Arvolski/Barnett and somehow fought Couture and wins that one, who’s left? Brock? We’ll see just how good he is when him and Randy fight.

I bet money UFC/Dana and Fedor/M-1 figure out a way to come to an agreement. There’s too much money on the table for them not to.

by Akorn on Sep 5, 2008 10:12 AM EDT 0 recs

I might agree with everyone you said

But he’s still not a proven draw in North America. He could be come one, sure. Should, some might say. And his straightest path to that notoriety is to piggyback Dana. But I’d venture to say those 100k buys for Affliction had more to do with Arlovski than Fedor. Arlovski, after all, is a proven draw.

by Blackout612 on Sep 5, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up 0 recs