M-1 Global Denies Rumors of UFC Deal With Fedor Emelianenko
Josh Gross reports:
"I can give you a guarantee it's not accurate," said Apy Echteld of M-1 Global, a St. Petersburg, Russia-based promotion and management company of which Emelianenko is an equity stakeholder.
...
Echteld declined to comment on negotiations between M-1 Global and the UFC, which are rumored to be taking place Tuesday in Los Angeles. He pointed to a press conference Wednesday in Anaheim, Calif., for "important" news on Emelianenko's fate.
From an earlier post by Josh Gross discussing Zuffa's sour history of working with other promotions:
...I found a quote offered by UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta prior to UFC 31 in May of 2001 when he described Zuffa's vision for the growth of MMA:
"We believe that there is certainly enough room for everybody to be successful in this sport, and for this sport to grow and evolve, you need to have organizations work with each other as opposed to trying to break each other down."
For a time, the UFC operated with this mindset. It lent Chuck Liddell to Pride three weeks after he knocked out Kevin Randleman at UFC 31. Liddell also participated in Pride's historic light heavyweight grand prix in 2003. His presence, made possible by cooperation between promoters, helped contribute to an amazing tournament.
But the UFC's eagerness and willingness to co-promote deteriorated after it felt burned by Pride, which never returned the favor by sending any of its fighters -- Kazayuki Fujita, Kazushi Sakuraba, Wanderlei Silva were all discussed -- into the Octagon. As simple as co-promotion sounds, we're talking about jumping through enough hoops to force a Border Collie into a nap.
You really can't blame Dana and the Fertittas for not having much of an appetite for partnering with foreign fight promoters. Not only did PRIDE burn them -- repeatedly -- with empty promises to loan fighters like Wanderlei and Sakuraba, but Zuffa's infamous 'less than' $70 million purchase of PRIDE turned out to be the biggest burn of all.
There is one silver lining. Gross also reports that Vitor Belfort had an exclusive world-wide contract with Affliction and his contract will transfer directly to the UFC. Vitor vs Wanderlei II isn't quite Fedor vs Lesnar, but it's certainly something to look forward to.
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Well it's like the barnett report..
they didn’t deny it.. they just said it was inaccurate..
maybe it’s getting there, but still not finalized..
Baxter, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
by a tommy point on Jul 28, 2009 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Baxter? Baxter is that you? Bark twice if your in Milwaukee!
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
Oh Baxter. You’re so wise. You’re like a miniature Buddha, covered in hair. Wiat whats that? You know I don’t speak Spanish.
GSP: I pulled my groin.
Greg Jackson: I don't care Georges! HIT HIM WITH YOUR GROIN!
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 29, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
You pooped in the refrigerator, and ate a whole wheel of cheese?
I’m not even mad, that’s amazing!
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Jul 29, 2009 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions
While we’re waiting for the final result, maybe we should revisit the debate about whether Dana White is the man to take MMA to the next level.
I think that debate is largely over and that’s coming from me.
by Luke Thomas on Jul 28, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I just checked the 106.7 website and the MMA Nation podcast is finally up. Is it too much to ask that the show be also made available in a single .mp3 file? Downloading 10 files to get 2 hours is a bit much.
I can try, but this is an easy problem to solve with iTunes. We’ve been reloaded on iTunes with the 106.7 The Fan logo on it, so ignore the old icon and old show. It’s pretty easy to navigate the audio that way. I can ask about a single file, but they don’t do that for any other show.
Thanks for listening.
so is this about fedor?
So I’m not saying anything, but I think UFC 103 might end up being a really pivotal event. PBF & Marquez have their work cut out for them.
or is that about something else we don’t know about?
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 28, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Word...
I’m hearing the same things. BadLeftHook has an interesting take on the subject
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jul 28, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Spill your guts Luke
More pointless speculation please
I don’t think they’re actually going to let him kill me... And if he does kills me, book sales will really go up. Boom…win-win, bitch.- Forrest Griffin on Anderson Silva
by ufc4 on Jul 28, 2009 9:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I still don’t understand how the UFC can sign Fedor without co-promoting with M-1. The entire debacle has centered around that issue. Is Vadim willing to completely abandon his ground just for a cut of Fedor’s pay?
UUHG!
stop playing with my emotions! i cant handle much more of this….
That was a real kick and good for laughs and lashings of the old ultraviolent.
So the Fedor will be fighting Pikachu in Japan :(
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
I’d pay $40 to see that, and I’d sig bet you Pikachu takes it in a decision.
I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup
by funnytiger on Jul 28, 2009 10:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I just want to light myself on fire at this point.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jul 28, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Light a man a fire, you keep him warm for the night. Light a man on fire, you keep him warm the rest of his life.
Shameless self-promotion! http://twitter.com/scb0212
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jul 28, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Again, who’s word is worth more, the LA Times or a random Russian businessman
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 28, 2009 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t really call an employee of M-1 Global a “Random businessman”
I don’t think they’re actually going to let him kill me... And if he does kills me, book sales will really go up. Boom…win-win, bitch.- Forrest Griffin on Anderson Silva
by ufc4 on Jul 28, 2009 9:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
In actual fact, Apy Echteld is (or at least was) the president of Red Devil International—essentially the Netherlands branch of the Red Devil team. He scouted out Mousasi when he was 4-0-1 and brought him into the Red Devil/M-1 fold.
But they are all just terrible faceless scumbags who do nothing but leech off of Fedor, so I’m sure this has worked out very poorly for Gegard.
It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.
No fedor?

The only alternative. (jk)
'Ello G'vnor!
by IHateMMA on Jul 28, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
He's gonna retire.
That’s the “important” announcement.
by I Can't Feel My Face on Jul 28, 2009 9:51 PM EDT reply actions
Fedors next fight will be in the UFC with a new UFC contract. GUARANTEED.
Josh Gross’s dream of turning this into boxing has been over for a while…. he just doesn’t realize it yet.
by mmalogic on Jul 28, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Right, but he was asking if there were special concessions made for Fedor.
by a tommy point on Jul 28, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I know what he was asking… its my way of not answering.
by mmalogic on Jul 28, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I see.
So, either you don’t know or we should break this out:

I’m guessing it’s time to jump. Go Wild! Awesome! Ooooh the UFC caved on something! It’s gotta be the lifetime supply of ice cream! I knew it they wouldn’t let that one go!
Who’s turn next?
by a tommy point on Jul 28, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Ooh! Me!
Fedor is launching his own men’s colonge line! It’s called “Smoke” as in what they’re blowing up everyone’s ass…
I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup
by funnytiger on Jul 28, 2009 10:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
"Loose" one turn
That gets me every time. “It’s just a prototype”
I don’t think they’re actually going to let him kill me... And if he does kills me, book sales will really go up. Boom…win-win, bitch.- Forrest Griffin on Anderson Silva
I have seen that movie dozens of times and never noticed that. I always liked the one step back on the first row.
"Will Rogers never met Barry Switzer."
by Broncho1673 on Jul 29, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
He has the power to fix typos.
I dislike Matt Hughes and Twidder.
by MonkeyCHops on Jul 28, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you have some sort of inside source to guarantee this sort of thing?
Shameless self-promotion! http://twitter.com/scb0212
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jul 28, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks, Dana.
I mean…logic. Or do I? O_o
:P
Whatever man, you sound confident. I say yes!
GSP: I pulled my groin.
Greg Jackson: I don't care Georges! HIT HIM WITH YOUR GROIN!
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 28, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
This looks like a pretty standard non-denial denial.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 28, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Does this mean I should get tickets for UFC 103?
Seriously, if it’s Fedor/Lesnar, I’m fucking going.
Shameless self-promotion! http://twitter.com/scb0212
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jul 28, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions
Fedor/Lesnar @ 103
would be beyond huge. Best thing is, it’s definitely in the realm of possibility. Both fighters should be well-ready by then, but there’d also be enough time to milk the fight for all it’s worth.
As Bad Left Hook noted, Dana could also use this fight to shut Mayweather’s mouth (ala Hendo to Bisping)…at least for a little while. A UFC 103 headlined by Fedor/Lesnar and with a potential co-main event of Franklin/Ortiz would put up MASSIVE numbers. It’d also seriously shake up 2 divisions; I may be in the slight minority on this board, but I believe the UFC would crown a new champion in Emelianenko, but if Lesnar did pull off the upset, it’d add further legitimacy to the HW division (and Brock also). A win for Franklin would probably get him a title shot agains the winner of Machida/Rua (especially since the clear-cut #1 contender won’t be decided until the end of the year), and a win for Ortiz would put him back in the picture.
Let’s hope they can finally get this deal done.
Conspiracy theory
Just curious what the BE community thinks… IF Fedor signs, and IF Lesnar beats him in his debut, would the UFC then turn and release Fedor as a way to stick it to him (them) and his legacy?
What do you think?
there's a lot more money to be made
booking Randy vs Fedor and Fedor vs Cro Cop II to throw away Fedor after one fight.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
yep..
even if Dana hated Fedor (which i doubt) he wouldn’t do that cause it would be a bad business move in his part..
If tito stays in the UFC, why wouldn’t they do the same for fedor?
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 28, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be too mean/awful/vindictive/evil.
Sounds like Dana.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
Not a chance
Dana’s in the business of putting together big fights and making money. Fedor accomplishes both for the company.
Would Mark Cuban be a part of this at all? Fedor/Lesnar in the AAC, which Cuban owns? I know UFC 103 was going to be there anyway, but he’s obviously becoming an important guy in MMA. An HDNET deal? I’m just dreaming here, I think.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
So I was lookin’ all over the interwebs for more Fedor info, and for some DUMB reason I went to a couple sites, then Sherdog, and the first link I clicked in a forum, I got Rick Roll’d, HARD. The kind where you can’t x out of the screen- I’m not leaving BE anymore.
"He hit like a bitch."
by SMC on Jul 28, 2009 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I’m picturing it, aaaaaaaannnnd I’m laughing at you now. :)
Gotta love the Rick Rolls!
GSP: I pulled my groin.
Greg Jackson: I don't care Georges! HIT HIM WITH YOUR GROIN!
by xFenixKnightx on Jul 28, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down....

I don’t think they’re actually going to let him kill me... And if he does kills me, book sales will really go up. Boom…win-win, bitch.- Forrest Griffin on Anderson Silva
did anyone
else see the vid where they rick roll nervana’s teen spirit, it works out surprisingly well.
Forgive the stupid question
But what is Rick Rolling?
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Jul 29, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Never mind. Google is my friend.
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Jul 29, 2009 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Rothwell vs. Gormley is now taking place at UFC 104.
The UFC strengthens the Heavyweight Division even more.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Jul 28, 2009 10:45 PM EDT reply actions
Too much baggage – he’ll probably end up fighting Werdum
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 28, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 28, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
so are we all just kinda hanging out to find out more information
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
The LA TIMES source is from Fedors camp.
by mmalogic on Jul 28, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
So approximately how many hidden microphones do you have in the ZUFFA head offices?
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
You know dana's secretary/assistant? those in the video blogs?
THATS HIM!… err her…
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 28, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah she is kinda hard on the eyes eh
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
by lovingmma25 on Jul 28, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
just so there isn't any confusion... i said logic was the secretary..
not that the secretary looked like a man..
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 28, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt he is the secretary or any employee of zuffa. He is most likely a outside contractor who specializes in the intrawebs, maybe the designer for their website or consultant on their internet strategy.
Bloody Elbow Pound-for-Pound the Best in Ultimate Fighting (UFC) Commentary, News and Community
by ronniebonnie on Jul 28, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
He already said he doesn’t work for Zuffa, besides I doubt they pay anyone $3K an hour like he said he earns. He is some sort of outside consultant.
I don’t think they’re actually going to let him kill me... And if he does kills me, book sales will really go up. Boom…win-win, bitch.- Forrest Griffin on Anderson Silva
confusion you did cause
I immediately thought of the “Jamacian” chick
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
by lovingmma25 on Jul 28, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Logic I hope you are not taking us all for a ride like OMA did recently on the UG
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008
If he is, we certainly have enough quotes to remind him forever.
by Sokonojudo on Jul 28, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d rather have Shields come out and say he’s coming to the UFC when his contract is up…
again.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 28, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hyperbole
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
Another blog claims Fedor to the UFC is a done deal, citing sources close to Fedor’s camp.
http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Report-Dana-White-to-announce-UFC-signing-of-Fedor-Emelianenko.html
A source close to Fedor Emelianenko’s camp has confirmed exclusively to FiveKnuckles.com, rumors that UFC President Dana White will announce the signing of Emelianenko at a press conference scheduled for this Friday.
Not that familiar with fiveknuckles.com. Are they reputable?
Confirmed exclusively
Well, other than the LA Times.
I don’t think they’re actually going to let him kill me... And if he does kills me, book sales will really go up. Boom…win-win, bitch.- Forrest Griffin on Anderson Silva
Uh oh, someone alert Fight Opinion! They used the E word! Conspiracy!
by a tommy point on Jul 28, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
So where’s all this media on Gina Carano that Loretta Hunt was saying would BOMBARD us…
by mmalogic on Jul 29, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
man did I get a lot of shit thrown at me for saying that Gina Carano wont singlehandedly get more press coverage than UFC 100...
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 29, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
She might have...
if the rest on the MMA world didn’t get thrown up in the air.
"Will Rogers never met Barry Switzer."
by Broncho1673 on Jul 29, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
that really has no effect. The mainstream media is not covering any of this crazy shit that’s going on. If they cared about the carano cyborg fight, they’d report on it.
People were saying that it would get coverage beyond the usual suspects, it still hasn’t come.
To be fair, neither did UFC 100 until a couple days before.
"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 29, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
To be fair, a lot of insane shit has happened over the last 10 days.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
in the mixed martial arts world..
but Loretta was talking about mainstream press.. and other new sources aside from the normal sports/mma blogs.
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 29, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
In that case… yeah what she said was kind of dumb.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
I haz a pattern.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 29, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Someday I hope that Loretta hunt will manage to be the Kimbo Barnett of Sherdog.
I dislike Matt Hughes and Twidder.
by MonkeyCHops on Jul 29, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't agree with her on that issue,
But I don’t want sherdog to go away anytime soon… Or ever.. They give lots and lots of great content. Plus they have the fight finder.
The only thing I don’t like is their forum, so I stay clear from belted keyboards as much as I can..
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 29, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah the fight finder is good I suppose. Their forums are obviously terrible but I don’t really care for a lot of their content. Loretta Hunt is always terrible.
I dislike Matt Hughes and Twidder.
I only go there for the Pics & Multimedia threads. They have a .gif thread ~2500p long & funny mma pics – good stuff.
Shameless self-promotion! http://twitter.com/scb0212
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jul 29, 2009 3:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I couldn’t resist that one. Breen is ok if a little high horsed at times.
I dislike Matt Hughes and Twidder.
Breen is amazing.
Disintegration -- I'm taking it in stride.
Follow me on Twitter.
by Eugene Schelfaut on Jul 29, 2009 3:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I like it when he posts over here – extremely knowledgeable about MMA.
Shameless self-promotion! http://twitter.com/scb0212
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jul 29, 2009 4:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I pity the lot of you for not knowing the pleasures of the Sexwagon.
by a tommy point on Jul 29, 2009 4:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Disintegration -- I'm taking it in stride.
Follow me on Twitter.
by Eugene Schelfaut on Jul 29, 2009 4:15 AM EDT up reply actions
He does have a lot of knowledge but it always seems like he resents everyone else who does not know as much as him.
He always prefaces things with stuff like
“Not to be an asshole but…”
I dislike Matt Hughes and Twidder.
Yeah, there’s a bit of pretentious boobery with him, but the dude knows just about everything MMA related.
He does a great job with his radio show, though. I’m a semi-regular listener.
by a tommy point on Jul 29, 2009 4:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
"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 29, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I feel I have to correct a certain point here:
Pride 2003 grand prix was middleweight technically,light heavyweight didn’t exist in pride back then.
by matty87 on Jul 29, 2009 3:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

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