Not a story, but a question: Will Fedor sign with the UFC? If not, why and what next?
by mightyhokie on Jun 17, 2009 11:22 PM EDT
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PrintI'm just wondering if he will shut the critics (and fans) up and jump to the UFC and win the title. I'm sure he is not afraid or anyone in the UFC, but then again, there are a few guys that could perhaps beat him, staining his sparkling reputation as the greatest of all time. Pretty much all of the big boys (or at least those left) are in the UFC. I just don't know why he wouldn't go there, honestly, unless he is worried about the competition (well, he probably isn't but his management might be).
What do you think?
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He has no reason to fight in the UFC so why would he give away what apparently matters a large amount to him (non-exclusivity, rights to his likeness, etc.)? He could fight in DREAM against cans for the rest of his career without risking his legacy and make just as much money, while keeping his dignity.
The exclusivity bit alway made me wonder, when in Fedor’s career has he not been exclusive to one org? Heck even now when he is supposibly free to fight anywhere he is still only fighting on Affliction cards. As far as the likeness rights, I’m sure he wouldn’t be signining a standard UFC deal, they aren’t going to just lock him on that stuff like they do the lower level guys, he would be closer to a Randy Couture deal than a Jon Fitch “sign it or hit the road” type deal.
I’m more inclined to think the real issue here is that you just don’t sign Fedor you sign M-1 because Fedor is already contracted to them. The UFC just isn’t going to become any kind of partners with M-1 or even work with them just to get Fedor and they aren’t going to give them the kind of leverage or control that they would want.
by who me on Jun 16, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think he won’t go to the UFC because he wants a short term deal for lots of money and has all sorts of contract demands the UFC doesn’t grant to even its biggest stars. My guess would be Fedor will stay in Japan, make a lot of money, and retire. His management and Zuffa are far apart in contract negotiations. Somebody would have to give up a lot to get a deal done.
It’s up to Fedor. If he wants to add to his already sweet legacy and go for the most important and hard to attain strap in the sport, Dana will make him the most well compensated fighter in the history of the sport. If not, there are a few more heavyweights that he can tear through – but by the time he’s done, if Lesnar or Mir can defend a couple of times, there will be genuine intrigue as to whether Fedor could take the belt from them in the cage.
I’m done holding my breath on it.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 16, 2009 5:14 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t expect he’ll ever fight in the UFC. When you get Fedor you get a lot of other baggage along with him (Finkie and the other M1 cronies) so I doubt White will ever want to deal with them in a way that works for both sides favor.
And as it was said, he can probably fight overseas, keep his untarnished record and make boatloads of money in the process keeping the shadow M1 company afloat and his fans happy.
Fedor will fight in the UFC before he is done. Unfortunately, I think it will be when he is past his prime and has less outside influences. His management is as hard or harder to deal with than Dana is, so that is a bad combo. I expect most of his remaining fights to be in Japan against the likes of CroCop or perhaps a Bobby Lashley type, which is a far cry from Lesner, Mir, etc… I would love to see Fedor/Overeem.
Just FEI (for everyones information, lol), if you go to Showtime’s website and go sports, mma, fighters, guess whose picture is up and listed as a Showtime fighter.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
Actually...
I have a theory that Showtime is really the only other person in power besides the UFC, and Strikeforce and Affliction are just promotions that Showtime is using to build up their MMA content. Showtime has a lot more power than people realize. If you guys want to read up on it, let me know.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 16, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I know for sure, that Showtime is wielding a lot of power in the StrikeForce world. Even so much as affecting contract/salary of potential fighters for reasons outside the business realm. I can’t go into detail, but ego isn’t all relegated to the UFC when it comes to business dealings. I think you may be on to something with the Showtime lurking in the shadows theory.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
People probably haven’t made the connection of Arlovski fighting for CBS (EliteXC), Showtime PPV (Affliction), and Showtime (Strikeforce). I will leave it at that. =D
Guess what else may be tied to Showtime, the EA Sports MMA video game.
Showtime has a lot of power in MMA right now and no one is aware of it.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 16, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
You put those three rosters together and it still can’t sneeze at the UFC/WEC alliance.
by Derek Suboticki on Jun 16, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL...
at the UFC WEC alliance comment.
Subo aka “Mr. Me Too”…LOL.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 16, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Finally, someone asks the question: will Fedor sign with the UFC?
Keep firing Assholes!
Out out, you demons of stupidity!
by Ubernoober on Jun 16, 2009 6:50 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
^ lol… i cant believe im still reading these
by xbuckeyex05 on Jun 17, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, sorry...
…was a slow day at work and I was just curious what other fans thought. =)
by mightyhokie on Jun 17, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
No worries, these are a recurring theme I like to point out such as “Is X Bad for MMA?”
Keep firing Assholes!
Out out, you demons of stupidity!
His biggest problem with UFC isn’t losing but winning. He’d like to ask for a raise if he keeps winning. If he holds the title he’s not allowed to leave the organization for a better pay day or opportunity. See Randy Couture.
That was never a issue with Randy Couture, heck what he got sued over by the UFC was his on air personality contract (with a no compete clause). The Championship clause didn’t come up because Randy wasn’t at the end of a contract, he was in the middle of one. It’s not a infinite contract extender anyway it’ just adds three fights or a year to the end of a contract(whichever comes first), heck it’s never even been actually used because they always try to keep the champions and challengers signed to multiple fights before the championship matches. That line of thinking is a big red herring, if Fedor held a belt and his contract was even close to being up then the UFC would want to get him re-signed before it even came down to that last fight and if he doesn’t want to stay even with the Championship clause the contract will eventually run out.
Then the whole"he’s a unbeatable fighter so he would have to fight in the UFC forever" reasoning is a bit on the funny side too. It sounds like a Anime storyline.
HMMM
Why doesn’t fedor just go try to capture all the other belts like in Dream, Stikeforce, he could get 3 other world titles on his shoulders .If he cant come to a contract with the UFC
that would be my goal, all the gold in mma but the UFC because they cant reach a deal. I could live with that .
And THIS is why...
…I asked that question. This is a very, very good answer. Also, nice Sylar icon. =)
by mightyhokie on Jun 17, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Fedor is unmarketable in the U.S
Fedor headlining a card together with Arlovski , Belfort etc is 100 Ks PPVs …it shows he does have a fanbase but it’s just not that big . Nothing the UFC will kill for anyway . He’s like Anderson Silva – doesn’t speak a word english . I think the UFC has very little to gain from singing Fedor (other than making us happy , but we’re not that important compared to the millions of UFC-only fans). So yeah , Fedor probably really didn’t get the best contract possible , even compared to Affliction where he still gets a cool million a fight. It’s a lose lose for both parties , and Fedor being my favorite fighter and all but still , cares more about his contract than fighting the best (which is totally normal , I think most fighters are like that . They are human aren’t they).
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