Fedor Emelianenko - "UFC Doesn't Treat Fighters Like People"
"Look, if we would come to an agreement that is reasonable and two sided, then it's very simple. I'd fight in the UFC, there would be no problem fighting for the UFC. We were able to come to an agreement with Affliction; we were able to come to an agreement with M-1 global, it's not that difficult."
"But their terms, and what they wanted were too one sided and they don't treat fighters like people. If it was reasonable and two sided, then there would be no problem, I'd be fighting there tomorrow."
-- at the Affliction: Trilogy NYC presser, a month and a half ago.
over 2 years ago
Nick Thomas
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“They don’t treat fighters like people”
Brock Lesnar made $3 million last weekend Fedro, STFU.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 10:17 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
If you think this is about anything more than money you’re clueless about the entire situation. It’s all about Finkie and M-1 trying to squeeze everything they can out of the UFC.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 4:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And what exactly is it that you know about the situation, other than what you read on the internet? And after taking away Danas biased opinion on them, how much do you really know about M-1?
Now I’m not saying M-1 or Fedor are saints. But money isn’t everything in life, especially when you are already handsomely paid on a regular enough basis. Your comment was in response to Fedor, not M-1, so tell me what evidence do you have to support your inference that Fedor is holding out for more money? The guy that reportedly still drives an old toyota, and is still lives and trains in his old town
Therre was a company I worked for once, where people would leave investment banks and go with a lot less in salary to work there although still a satisfactory amount, because it was really nice play to work, great people and not a lot of pressure. Money isnt everything in life. Funnily enough though, I would still say that M-1 holding out for money sounds plausible enough to me, but the quote that you responded to and the commented that you responded to it with was just silly.
Every promotion that has worked with Finkie/M-1 to get Fedro to fight for them is dead.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Every major promotion that Minotauro has fought for has died too. Does that mean that the UFC is gonna die? Post hoc ergo propter hoc, bitches.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 18, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Translation for the laymen.
“Post hoc ergo propter hoc, bitches” = “I’d like some gravy on my potatoes, ladies.”
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
You see right through me.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 19, 2009 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions
How many of them took it up the rear from Nog’s manager just to be able to sign Nog?
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Neither PRIDE nor RINGS died because of Fedor and to suggest it is really disingenuous. If Affliction dies, you can probably safely say that Fedor’s contract was one of the key problems, but until then Fedor hasn’t had a hand in killing any promotion.
Don’t get me wrong, I too wish Affliction would fold and Fedor/Vitor/et al. could just go into the UFC, but I can’t agree with your above statement.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 19, 2009 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions
The Fedor PPV that Bodog did was one of the reasons they went under. Not sure you would lay that on Fedor’s plate as much as Bodog and M-1’s collective plates but that show did lose so much money it all but killed Bodog Fight.
Good catch
Touche, I had completely forgot about Bodog. However, I still think that me overall point stands.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 19, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions
You still don’t get it. M-1 IS Fedor, without him they are nothing. Everything they have and everything they do is tied to Fedor. They are the ones negotiating the contract and making all these demands. Do you think Dana just pulled the idea of them wanting UFC to help build a stadium in Russia out of thin air? Come on, the guy might lie sometimes but I don’t think he would just make up something as ridiculous as that.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 4:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Given some of the rubbish that comes out of his mouth when he is trying to make a point, I wouldnt put that past Dana at all.
Again, I ask you, what evidence do you have of these demands past Dana’s rantings? Your whole viewpoint on M-1 seems to be just an extension of Dana’s. Dana disparages and discredits his opposition when it is in his best interests, so forgive me if I dont take everything he says as gospel. But, M-1 are agents, and like I said before its perfectly plausible that they are asking for more than what the UFc value Fedor at. But to say what M-1 wants is the same as what Fedor wants is simplistic. From the interviews that he gives and everything you can find out about him, Fedor doesnt strike me as a greedy little so and so, but thatsjust an opinion and not one that I can back up with evidence. But hey, I cant make a case for the opposite either.
Vadim Finkelstein is Fedro’s agent. Finkie has a promotion called M-1 Global. Finkie requires that anyone who wants to sign Fedro has to co-promote with M-1 Global, among other things. Affliction is paying Finkie in the neighborhood of 1 million per fight just to be able to sign Fedro.
This last bit was posted on the UG and I cannot find the exact post, and it being Saturday, I don’t wanna waste my time right now finding it.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
M-1 isn’t agents they are a separate organization that hold Fedor’s contract. Fedor’s manager also runs M-1 (which means that Fedor’s manager apparantly negotiated Fedor’s contract with himself). Signing Fedor requires you to go through M-1.
As far as all this coming from Dana, no we also heard stuff from Monte Cox and the people who were running Bodog about their dealings with them too. It’s not like this is some kind of isolated event or that it is only based on Dana White ranting.
So do you think . . .
Finkie sticks his hand up Fedor’s ass while he gives an interview or maybe this is Fedor’s opinion?
same shit over and over...nothing new
this topic should be treated like Tito and banned until something new is said
Yeah because the dumb Russian is a baby who’s being taken advantage of right? Ass. Fedor has read the contract he’s commentated on it numerous times and doesn’t like it. You people honestly believe he doesn’t know what’s going on?
I’m not sure I believe he has read the contract. Has Dana ever even met him?
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 11:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How do you know he’s read the contract or actually knows what is in it? He lets his management go to the meetings and do all his deals, it’s more likely that he just gets his information from them. It also should be pointed out that even though he talks about the UFC contracts all the time he still says stuff that has already proven to be incorrect, such as talking about the champion’s clause which isn’t what he keeps saying it is.
The UFC signs fighters all the time without the same kinds of contract issues and plenty of these guys are prefectly happy there. Fedor’s management is just used to getting so much more out of companies for Fedor’s involvement than the UFC is willing to give. This is a business and both sides know it, Fedor running around saying this kind of stuff to try and influence public opinion into getting the UFC to give him more of what he wants is just part of that too (although Fedor might not know that).
"I never met Dana White, never spoke to him on the phone, never exchanged e-mails," Fedor said. "However, I did read a lot on the Internet about what he said in regard to me and Vadim []. I also read e-mails that he sent to Vadim; all of his correspondence was very upsetting. The contract that we were presented with by the UFC was simply impossible, couldn’t be signed — I couldn’t leave. If I won, I had to fight eight times in two years. If I lost one fight, then the UFC had the right to rip up the contract. At the conclusion of the contract, if I am undefeated, then it automatically extends for an as yet unspecified period of time, though for the same compensation.
"Basically I can’t leave undefeated. I can’t give interviews, appear in films or advertising. I don’t have the right to do anything without the UFC’s agreement. I could do nothing without the OK from the UFC. I didn’t have the right to compete in combat sambo competition. It’s my national sport. It’s the Russian sport, which in his time our president competed in, and I no longer have the right to do so. There were many such clauses; the contract was 18 pages in length. It was written in such a way that I had absolutely no rights while the UFC could at any moment, if something didn’t suit them, tear up the agreement. We worked with lawyers who told us that it was patently impossible to sign such a document."
hmm…
You can list and quote all the reasons Fedor has given you want. You can guarantee that the only reason that actually matters is the one you haven’t said. The UFC won’t co-promote with M1 Global. If they would, the contract would be signed in a second. It’s as simple as that.
M1 does the exact same thing to Fedor that you decry the UFC for doing to it’s own fighters. Stop being a hypocrite and a fan boy and try to see the argument from both sides.
On top of that, who cares if he’d spend 2 years in the UFC? How much more time does he have left in his career? Two or three years in the UFC clearing out the HW division, he’d prob be ready to retire. And think how rich he’ll have made finky! People put things on hold for their career all the time, he could put Sambo on the back burner.
I couldn’t leave. If I won,
BS that would obviously never hold up in any court in the land. The only time a contract “freezes in place” is if a guy retires, there is no “eternal contract stipulation” that makes you forced to fight for the UFC forever.
I had to fight eight times in two years
When has the UFC ever done this? Seriously there are top guys in the UFC who are pushing to get more fights and I’ve never heard anyone complain that they were forced to fight too often, heck I can’t remember hearing anyone complain that they were forced to fight. I can’t even imagine where they came up with this from?
If I lost one fight, then the UFC had the right to rip up the contract.
Pretty standard although it seems that it’s normally two losses in a row before the UFC starts tossing guys out. It’s a performance based contract, if you aren’t performing then your contract is at risk, that the sport.
At the conclusion of the contract, if I am undefeated, then it automatically extends for an as yet unspecified period of time, though for the same compensation
The UFC champion’s clause has been established to be 3 fights or one year (whichever comes first) and it’s never actually had to be used because the UFC wants to get guys resigned well before their last contracted fight. That’s not undefeated that’s just for champions, I guess that Fedor is just assuming that he will be the undefeatable UFC world champion until he retires. In general though this statement from him just doesn’t make sense by what we know about UFC contracts either, there is no undefeated fighters have to fight for us until they lose clause nor would that be something that would ever hold up in any court. http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/inside-the-standard-zuffa-contract-9734
“Basically I can’t leave undefeated.
Complete and utter bullshit. Heck it’s surprising that anyone would even believe such a statement, there is no “you must fight in the UFC forever” clause.
I can’t give interviews,
Complete and utter bullshit, fighters do interviews all the time without the UFC’s ok.
appear in films
UFC fighters appear in crappy films all the time without it being a issue, why would it be a problem for Fedor?
or advertising.
This is also something that UFC fighters do all the time. The UFC can control what sponsors are show on their broadcast but what does the UFC have to do with advertising outside of their shows? Are we to believe that Fedor wouldn’t be allowed to do things that other UFC fighters do all the time?
I could do nothing without the OK from the UFC.
Yes Fedor wouldn’t be able to take a dump without written approval from the UFC…………. WTF?
I didn’t have the right to compete in combat sambo competition.
Lorenzo Fertitta just addressed this a couple of weeks ago:
“We can figure something out with the sambo thing… (but) at the end of the day, I think we need to have a situation where at least 90 or 120 days before he’s signed a contract to fight, he shouldn’t be out there competing in events like that because I don’t want to take the chance of him getting hurt.” http://sherdog.com/news/articles/1/10-questions-for-lorenzo-fertitta-18516
So no Sambo isn’t the problem that people seem to make it out to be here, the UFC is more than willing to work that one out so he can fight.
There were many such clauses; the contract was 18 pages in length. It was written in such a way that I had absolutely no rights while the UFC could at any moment, if something didn’t suit them, tear up the agreement. We worked with lawyers who told us that it was patently impossible to sign such a document."
Lorenzo Fertitta:
“Let’s break this down from a logical standpoint. We offered the exact same contract that three hundred other guys have signed, including Brock Lesnar, Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva, GSP, all the top stars. Why is that contract not good enough for Fedor? What Fedor wants is this. He doesn’t want to be exclusive.” http://sherdog.com/news/articles/1/10-questions-for-lorenzo-fertitta-18516
by who me on Jul 18, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
For the better part of last year, speculation circulated about a clause that extended Zuffa contracts if a fighter becomes UFC champion. The clause was reportedly a sticking point in negotiations with Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures).
Sherdog.com has confirmed the existence of a so-called champion’s clause, which provides that “if, at the expiration of the Term, Fighter is then UFC champion, the Term shall be automatically extended for a period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the Termination Date; or (ii) the date on which Fighter has participated in three (3) bouts promoted by ZUFFA following the Termination Date (”Extension Term"). Any references to the Term herein shall be deemed to include a reference to the Extension Term, where applicable."
This clause is designed to protect the company against a fighter leaving as champion and to prevent the company’s champions from using their contractual status to demand more money. Zuffa appears to see the clause as an option of last resort, though, because it has consistently refused to grant a title bout to fighters with only one fight remaining on their contracts.
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/inside-the-standard-zuffa-contract-9734
by who me on Jul 18, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
We can assume that Fedor will have a title shot immediately
Say he signs for 4 fights…
And he wins all 4 four.
He’s bound to the UFC, even if he wants to leave and fight elsewhere.
That’s what he means by “bound to UFC forever”.
I don’t know why you made that argument like he HAS to fight forever.
That’s not what he meant.
He just doesn’t want to fight FOR THE UFC forever, if he wins all of his fights.
Fedor has to lose, or retire to leave a UFC contract.
What part of 3 fights or 1 year did you not understand? It is directly stated exactly how the championship clause works and for how long it last.
OK, you're right.
I was under the impression it extended another year after continuously as long as he is champion.
No the Championship clause doesn’t have a Championship clause, once it’s over it’s over. If it was a “infinite clause” that forced guys to fight against their will for the rest of their careers it would never hold up in court. If Fedor signed a 4 fight, 2 year contract then at most it would extend to a 7 fight or 3 year contract(whichever came first, he doesn’t have to fight at all during that year if he doesn’t want to) and then he would be free. During that extra year of time the UFC would be desperately trying to re-sign him to keep him from leaving with their belt, he would still have the same amount of negotiating leverage as he would without the championship clause as far as getting a raise or better terms, all the UFC gets from this is extra time to negotiate.
The whole “championship clause” thing is a big red herring, the real issue here is that M-1 doesn’t want Fedor to be exclusive to the UFC.
by who me on Jul 18, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you're an idiot
Saying “bullsh*t” doesn’t make true.
Read what he said again and think about it. It make sense.
Dana’s “if you’re not with me, then you’re against me” attitude is dumb from an ethical and business point.
I backed up ever single specific point (including links on the major ones) and you resort to calling me names and blaming it all on Dana White’s attitude, bet your a real debate team ace.
by who me on Jul 18, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You’ve done well here.
How's the weather up your own ass? - Stephen Colbert
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 18, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm impressed
Your argument succinctly sums up how I feel about the situation, and you backed up every single point in a very convincing manner.
I already banned him
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jul 18, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
When did Fedor fight for the UFC? Seriously, he is just listening to what his mgmt is saying.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
You say that as if every fighter doesn’t listen to what their representation tells them about meetings and contracts.
I can see that, but not how I intended it. Simply meant that my feeling is that fedor is a little too much influenced by his mgmt.
Not that I think the UFC is Mother Theresa, but for every fighter that gets a bad treatment, there is one that is amazingly loyal and says the UFC treated them very well.
And I also think that while this is rehashed news, Fedor gets the “what about the UFC” question by every interviewer.
Personally, I see the reason he hasn’t come to the UFC, as 50/50 fault between Dana’s side and fedor’s side and we are the ones paying for it.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
how are we
paying for it? As a fan I truly don’t care if Fedor fights in the UFC or not. Soon the talent pool outside the UFC is going to be thinner then the air at the top of Everest, and his best heavy weight in the world title will be pretty much meaningless. Until the man fights the top talent from all promotions, he’s not deserving of the title of best in the world. Thats like saying the Yankees are the best baseball team in the world without ever playing against teams from other countries.
Then GSP should go to strikeforce to fight diaz and shields. Anderson should go fight Mousasi and Jorge. Do you people see how dumb it sounds to have the #1guy have to go to the competition rather than them go to him? These types of sentiments only show that people have more of an affiliation to orgs and not fighters.
The HW division is just as good outside the UFC. There will always be matches.
The industry works around the organizations not the fighters because it’s the organizations that put on the shows and pay all the bills. All professional sports are businesses first and foremost, that’s not just MMA that’s all of them.
it's only
a matter of time before one promotion emerges as the NFL, or NHL of MMA. If it happenes to be the UFC, then they will more then likely not consider concessions on any contracts that involve these issues that are holding up Fedor. You don’t see Big Ben, or either of the Manning brothers getting contracts that allow them to play for other teams, or other leagues for that matter. Once Fedor fights Barrnet who’s outside the UFC that is in the top 10 that Fedor hasn’t already faced?
The fun thing that people tend to forget...
is that contracts under NFL, NBA..etc teams usually involve clauses that don’t allow their players to even play recreational sports without team approval. Some contracts even include clauses that players can’t ride motorcycles..etc.
For example, you can lose a contract with an NFL team getting hurt playing a game of basketball in the park with your friends..etc.
It’s not an absurd thing in sports
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jul 18, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Which is exactly why I don’t understand why everyone thinks that the UFC should bend over backwards and take it without lube to get Fedor. Regardless of the fact that MMA is based on organizations not fighters, why should anyone business have to take it in the ass to get a fighter in their promotions with no real benefit to themselves, it is a business afterall.
Which is exactly why I don’t understand why everyone thinks that the UFC should bend over backwards and take it without lube to get Fedor
Why should Fedor bend over backwards and take it without lube for the UFC?
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
He shouldn’t either. The issue wasn’t whether he should sign or not it was that he says the UFC contract is unsignable and that they don’t treat the fighters like human beings. M-1 has taken the debate beyond just a contract negotiation to the level of a personal attack (as has Dana White). It’s trying to use fan pressure to influence the negotiations. Neither side should bend over and take it, they should negotiate from both sides.
But isn't he kind of right?
Look at the John Fitch issue and how the UFC treated him. I can’t say I blame Fedor for not wanting to get wrapped up in that kind of cocoon.
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
Unlike poor John Fitch Fedor will be well paid for having to deal with specific constrictions. That’s why you don’t hear much in complaints from guys like Lesnar, Liddell and Matt Hughes, they are well compensated for their inconvienance. Fitch just got bent over but Fedor has a lot more leverage going into contract negotiations and will make millions of dollars a fight regardless.
It may not be just about the money with him. He makes plenty without the UFC. It may be about freedom (insert corny ‘freedom!’ yell).
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jul 18, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s insisting on a non-exclusive contract when he’s rarely fought for more than one company at a time anyway so that doesn’t make a lot of sense unless it’s purely about control (and the leverage that brings). Personal control is a kind of freedom, still that doesn’t mean that the UFC is “evil” because they try to exert a layer of control over their investments.
True
but I think that considering people as “investments” might go to exactly what Fedor said. “They don’t treat fighters like people,”, they treat them like investments. Capital. Property.
I’m not saying the UFC is the only one, but I could see how that could be problematic.
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
All professional sports treat the athletes as investments, mainly because that is exactly what they are. The thing is you don’t treat an investment poorly you nurture it because you want it to grow so you can get a return off of your investment. Being treated as an investment can be much better than being treated like an employee.
But you also protect it, often against it’s wishes.
You say all professional sports treat their athletes that way. Apparently M1 doesn’t, and Fedor seems happier that way.
Let’s also not forget Russian history, and where he comes from.
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
It seems that M-1 especially does that. He is their most important investment and they are very particular about that.
In the end
it doesn’t really matter. They will or they won’t come to an agreement.
Long as I get to see fights, I’m happy :)
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
When you are getting paid millions of dollars to preform there are naturally going to be limitations put on your life because of it, there is always a trade of for being a professional athlete, particularly when that much money is on the line. Heck since the Ben Roethlisberger accident lots of contracts don’t allow guys to ride motorcycles in the off season anymore, athletes aren’t just employees they are investments.
Really? You think Affliction is still gonna pay him if he gets in a motorcycle accident two weeks before the Barnett fight?
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
Exactly, so he CAN’T get a contract without all those limitations huh?
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
But he isn’t told what he can and cannot do. He has the choice to do something and get injured outside UFC
OK, well everybody has the choice to do something. Ben Roethlisberger can still ride his motorcycle if he chooses, he just risks losing his hundred-million dollar contract if he does. The point is there are always going to be some kind of restricitions no matter who he signs with.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
It’s nowhere near as good. This isn’t the end of 2007 anymore.
How's the weather up your own ass? - Stephen Colbert
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 18, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, who are the great matchups left after Barnett? Overeem? Then who, Brett Rogers? Bigfoot Silva? Ray Mercer?
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
Another year and a half of declining competition. Besides Werdum is fighting Overeem next month, what would be the sense of Fedor fighting the loser?
Yes Fedor could fight Bobby Lashley, wouldn’t that be great. The “new” guys who are currently coming around are for the most part in the UFC, heck that is the area that the UFC is really strong in. So yes Fedor could end up fighting Brett Rogers but is that really the preferable fight that people want to see? Just throwing out names that Fedor could fight doesn’t mean that those are guys that Fedor should fight in the near future.
I don’t see anyone clamoring for a Fedor vs. Werdum fight.
Which set of fights is more compelling to you:
Fedor vs. Overeem, Werdum, Monson
or
Fedor vs. Couture, Lesnar, Carwin
I know which one I’m gonna pick
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
Would you rather see Fedor fight Carwin or Werdum?
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
What about Dos Santos, since he KTFO Werdum =-)
by Well Read Idiot on Jul 20, 2009 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't buy
for a second that Fedor has read the contract, his management is more then likely blowing smoke up his ass trying to fill his head with the “best fighter in the world” garbage from some stupid belt that no one respects. Either he gets involved in his dealings or his management is going to make him disappear into oblivion after his next two fights. He can’t claim to be the best when he hasn’t fought the best, and don’t bother pointing out Silvia or Arlovski either, even before they fought him they were on their way to has beens. As for Fedors assertion of one sided, has anyone ever explained to him why professional sports sign exclusive contracts with people? Or is it possibly a concept that he’s not smart enough to understand.
Even Tito Ortiz is likely to sign back on with the UFC now. All the major stars are. They all find ways to do it.
The only problem here is Fedor Emelianenko, not the UFC.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Jul 18, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions
Tito Ortiz
Citing Tito Ortiz case as your defense? Nice
Tito Ortiz is NOT a major star. He came crawling back to the UFC because he was offered way less money by Strikeforce/Affliction. He’s been out of competition for so long that he’s irrelevant.
Fedor is the number 1 heavyweight fighter in the world. Very different.
Dude...
Tito Ortiz is absolutely a major star. Like…without a doubt
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jul 18, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Tito Ortiz is on of the biggest PPV draws in the entire history of the sport, like him or not you can’t deny that. By comparison more casual fans know who Junie Browning is than Fedor. There is a real chance that the UFC will lose money off of Fedor as a PPV draw (every company since Pride has) but Tito could probably headline a event against Mark Coleman and sell 500k ppvs. Being the number one heavyweight in the world is only part of the issue, professional sports are businesses.
Also
more casual fans know who Junie Browning is than Tito. Tito is only as famous as the UFC markets him, even after his stint on the Trump show.
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
UFC could headline a PPV with Stefan Struve vs Moustafa Al Turk and not lose money.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 4:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Whatever. It looks like the only way Fedor fights in the UFC is if he agrees to play by Zuffa’s rules. I mean, an open contract or one fight deal is never ever gonna happen. Just look at the debacle that Cro Cop caused. I mean, sure, in the end Zuffa got him to sign an extension, but if that’s any indication of how things may go in the future, no way Fedor ends up in the UFC at this rate. Color me skeptical on this one. As much as I’d love to see Fedor smash Brock, I don’t think it’ll happen any time soon. Which is probably a good thing for Brock, cause I think he honestly needs a few more fights before he fights someone like Fedor.
I love me some Sexyama!
the only debacle was Dana going on a temper tantrum… thats it.
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com
^^ yup
Nice to see Cro Cop getting the blame for Dana’s uninformed outburst.
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
In Danas defense CC was going back to Dream before he had to go to the hospital and his fight got cancelled. It’s not like it was all just one big misunderstanding.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 4:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
/\ this right here
Were it not for salmonella, CC would’ve been gone. Now, he’s fulfilling his end of a verbal deal.
How's the weather up your own ass? - Stephen Colbert
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 18, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
There are 2 sticking points in the Fedor / UFC contract drama.....
I wish reporters would ask 2 questions to each side….
1. Is having M1Global side by side as promoters with the UFC for any event Fedor is in a must?
2. Could Fedor get a contract without the “championship clause?” If Fedor fought 4 fights in the UFC and was champ would you let him leave after that?
Those are the 2 sticking points. M1 wants to be the brand behind Fedor. It’s a fact. They have had their name on the headline or co-headline of everything Fedor has touched since leaving Pride.
The UFC protects their champions with great fervor. (See the Randy Couture debacle.) They don’t want their Championship diminished by having a champ leave for another org just to crown the “2nd best guy” for their champ.
Until both sides give a bit on these issues, Fedor will not be in the UFC.
1. Most likely it is. M1Global holds Fedor’s contract so when you sign Fedor you are signing them too. M-1 uses Fedor to strengthen their own brand and that is what Vladimir Finkelstein is after.
2. They aren’t going to drop the Championship clause but obviously by what Fedor has stated he doesn’t understand what the Championship clause is or how it would be used.
WTF?
He understands the champions clause, and it doesn’t benefit him.
Like I said, he will get a title shot immediately…
And he feels he won’t lose any fights (possible), the UFC doesn’t have to negotiate…they could just extend the current contract through the champion’s clause.
They don’t have to pay increase him anything.
Yes just like every other fighter who has signed to the UFC, the contract extends if they have the belt for 3 fights or one year (a year where he could just sit out and not fight at all) and then he is free even if he has the belt. I say he doesn’t understand the champions clause because he says he can never leave if he keeps winning and that just isn’t what the contract says, that is the very definition of not understanding it.
It’s also never actually been used because the UFC isn’t going to risk having a guy with a belt get away so they re-sign them to a new contract before the old one is up if at all possible. This clause is there due to guys leaving while champions and screwing them over, it’s just a bit of added security they use to protect the belt and give them extra negotiating time not some kind of infinity trap designed to keep guys from leaving or ever getting raises.
Oh and who says he is guaranteed an immediate title shot in the UFC? Who has ever got an immediate title shot? Chances are he will fight at least once before he goes for a belt (probably that elusive fight with Randy Couture that was part of the deal for Randy to come back to the UFC). The UFC might want to build him up with the casual fans before they toss him into a fight for the belt, no matter how good he is he still isn’t much of a PPV draw.
http://mma.fanhouse.com/2007/07/03/fedor-emelianenko-will-get-immediate-title-shot-if-he-signs-with/
by a tommy point on Jul 19, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
That article is from July 2007, before Randy fought Gonzaga and then tried to quit because they didn’t get Fedor signed. Randy getting first shot at Fedor was one of the promises the UFC made to him to get him to come back to the UFC, don’t be surprised if Fedor does ever sign with the UFC that Dana fufills that promise to Randy first thing.
If the UFC ever signs Fedor Emelianenko to a contract don’t assume his first fight in the UFC will be for Brock Lesnar’s heavyweight strap. Randy Couture sat out 15 months for several reasons: money, control issues and frustration over not getting a fight with Fedor. He hasn’t forgotten the promises that were made to get him back into the promotion. Couture speaking with ESPNRadio1100’s Afternoon Gridlock Show said that he deserves the first shot at Fedor before Lesnar does:
“Not only do I think I deserve a shot at him, it’s kind of part of the agreement in settling our differences in coming back to the UFC, is they were going to be diligent about trying to find a way to make that fight happen.”
by who me on Jul 19, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
1. The UFC doesn’t need to co promote anything, they are the worlds largest MMA promotion, or at least recognized as the worlds biggest and best, so M-1 is s.o.l on that one
2. I doubt the UFC is going to change much of anything in the contract to suit one person, even Fedor. As someone else stated, his draw on PPV cards is still relatively low to the casual fan, I doubt most hardcore fans wouldn’t buy a card soley on Fedor.
what concessions has the UFC made for Fedor?
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com
What concessions SHOULD the UFC make for Fedor?
That’s the much more important question
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jul 18, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
what concessions
is Finkie asking for?
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
“What concessions SHOULD the UFC make for Fedor?”
Popcorn, nachos, and a dr pepper. But NO jujubees, I can’t budge on that.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 5:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not sure if this qualifies as a concession but offering to make him the highest paid fighter in MMA history is a pretty good start. They have already said they could work something out on the sambo issue. It’s already been proven that he doesn’t understand the champions clause. The M-1 thing is never gonna happen so if that’s the main sticking point they might as well just issue a joint statement that they cannot come to an agreement and just drop it once and for all.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 3:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The sambo stuff, and that’s it. Imo you want to sign a fighter like fedor but you’re not willing to give him a special contract, you’re not doing your best. You may think this can backfire once other fighters hear about it. Well they are no Fedor and they just need to take the contract or fight somewhere else. THEY want fedor, the guy never asked to fight in the ufc, but they want him to fight on their term: this is going nowhere
Why should the UFC give anyone special consideration. They built a brand that has been at the forefront of MMA, they don’t need Fedor as much as some would think. The UFC world will still turn, people will still buy PPVs, and Fedors opponent pool will get thinner and thinner until his “best in the world” title is basically worthless. I’ll concede that Fedor doesn’t need the money so it’s not about the Benjamins. I don’t think either side will move much until the talent pool outside the UFC thins itself out so much that no one will give any credit to Fedors opponents or the “worlds best fighter”. Until then nothing will change.
nope
The UFC gave special treatment to a bunch of guys. Brock comes to mind.
When it comes to top fighters in the world, the negotiations and contracts should go on a case-by-case basis. This sport is about best fighters fighting and if you can’t cut a few corners to accomplish that then you’re not doing what’s best for the sport
Again, we’re not talking about Andy Wang here. The #1 heavyweight and fighter period, in the world and you can’t let him compete in his national sport that he’s been doing since he was a child?
I agree contracts should be based on a fighter by fighter basis, but trying to compare Brock and Fedor as far as a draw for potential fans go, of course Brock is going to bring in more, and therefore got more consideration. All I’m trying to say is the UFC doesn’t need Fedor as much as some would think, just because he was given some title as “best in the world” by a company most people, including on this site, don’t respect or give credit too, doesn’t mean the man is the best, not until we throw all of them into a cage and shake the shit out of it and see who’s standing.
the UFC doesn’t need Fedor as much as some would think
and really, Fedor doesn’t need the UFC either.
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
Agreed, although Fedor could use a big dose of that Zuffa marketing machine to get him over with the casual crowd. Still as long as people outside the UFC are willing to pay him big money he doesn’t need the UFC.
I agree
both sides would benefit tremendously if they could come to a middle ground. But since neither side will hurt without the other, I don’t see much of a middle ground forming.
("you don’t like Brock" – helping Weobo out)
Lorenzo Fertitta stated he will be allowed to compete in sambo competitions.
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 3:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The UFC is willing to give special contract treatment on the Sambo issue.
"We can figure something out with the sambo thing… (but) at the end of the day, I think we need to have a situation where at least 90 or 120 days before he’s signed a contract to fight, he shouldn’t be out there competing in events like that because I don’t want to take the chance of him getting hurt."
http://sherdog.com/news/articles/1/10-questions-for-lorenzo-fertitta-18516
Sambo isn’t an issue it’s another “red herring” issue tossed around here. The UFC allows fighters to compete in BJJ and grappling tournaments all the time, the only issue with Sambo would be they would have to work it out beforehand to clear his UFC schedule (which only makes sense).
What special treatment did Brock Lesnar get in his contract?
-- at the Affliction: Trilogy NYC presser, a month and a half ago.
Nick’s just trying to rile you guys up. Think it’s working? Hah.
by The Real T-Bone on Jul 18, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions
I do not know nor do I claim to know what Fedor has done or spoken with his management – nor what he has or has not read. But I find it kind of peculiar that everyone is so damn quick to be so damn certain that Fedor has not read the contract etc. Maybe, just maybe, White or whoever represented UFC gave his managers the proposed contract. Maybe, just maybe, they could have possibly let Fedor look at the text – and who knows, he may even have a basic understanding of written English.
The guys behind M-1 Global are not stupid to protect their main asset. They’re doing what any sane businessman would do in a similar situation: looking after their own interests. However, that does not automatically mean that they’re lying through their teeth to Fedor at every turn. For whatever reason, maybe Fedor himself does not think going to UFC is reason enough to accept the proposed contract. It’s his life, his career – for all we care, he could spend the rest of his active years beating up cans – or he could announce his retirement immediately after fighting Barnett and walk away.
Many of us hope to see Fedor vs. UFC HW champ at some point, but if Fedor does not want it, there is precious little we can do about it – and if he does not want it, it does not make him stupid or his management a bunch of liars.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on Jul 18, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
As far as the champions clause goes...
I don’t think Fedro would be the champ at the end of a four fight contract anyways. Say he wins a warm up fight, then beats Brock for the title, wins a title defense, I think he loses any rematch to Brock….that’s how I see it going down if he comes in. I don’t worry about the rain til the rain is here…
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
Fedor needs to be on twitter. Then we could ask him all of these questions ourselves. Someone should at least find out if he has a personal e-mail address. :)
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 18, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions
ChubbyRussianRobot@m1global.com
Some people might say that winning a fight makes you a better fighter but I don’t agree with that.- BlueberryMuffin
by ufc4 on Jul 18, 2009 5:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
thisgoestofedroandnotfinkieipromose@m1global.com
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 18, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You guys are dicks, I was being serious….But that shit is funny!
I can’t decide who’s is funnier, ufc4’s or iiowyn’s, so I’m rec’ing them both.
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 18, 2009 6:25 PM EDT reply actions
Fedor
just meet them in person once fedor. just once is not asking too much, is it. what’s he afraid of, the truth? how can the man say that they don’t treat their fighters like people, if he has never even given them the chance to speak to him in person. until then, fedor is full of b.s.!
by bdw on Jul 18, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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