The Consequences of War: the UFC Money Drain Will Soon Make Strikeforce its Primary Target
by Michael Rome on Aug 3, 2009 8:18 PM EDT
in MMA News
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Strikeforce made a big play today by signing Fedor. But what did they get, and at what long term cost? Fedor Emelianenko is a superstar among MMA fans, but the costs of using him have also sunk numerous promotions he's worked with since Pride collapsed. His PPV record is mediocre at best; his best sales performance against Andrei Arlovski would be a complete and utter disaster for even the worst UFC show.
Currently, there are no big fights for Fedor in Strikeforce. By big fights, I mean fights that will grab mainstream interest and attract a lot of fan attention. Alistair Overeem means nothing to American fans, and neither does Fabricio Werdum. Brett Rogers could eventually be a big fight if they build him up well, but it would still be a small fight in comparison to the average UFC European main event.
I think the bigger concern for Strikeforce is the UFC's response. They will take this as a declaration of war, and their strategy will be oriented around driving Strikeforce into the ground by bidding their costs to the moon. Forget Fedor's costs for a second, what do the people at Strikeforce expect to happen when Jake Shields, Brett Rogers, and Nick Diaz finish up their current deals? The UFC has the revenue to offer far more than Strikeforce, and they can effectively undo a year of star-creation by taking these fighters. Rumor has it that Gina Carano has signed on for three or four fights, what will the UFC offer her to leave at the end of that deal?
Showtime wants to get MMA on PPV. Strikeforce is their tool to get there, and they've hitched their wagon to Fedor Emelianenko. They can only make money on PPV, they have to go that route now, and avoiding it has been the key so far to Strikeforce's survival.
The UFC may also open up a legal front in this battle against Strikeforce. It's unclear what rights they have under the "collaboration" deal with Affliction, but I expect them to assert those rights to the fullest extent that they can. It's another way to start draining money out of their opposition.
Photo via sherdog.com
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R.I.P. Strikeforce it was a nice run while it lasted. The size of the Target on there back now is huge and there is no telling what they paid Fedor. UFC will start picking away at there roster and challenge every little thing they do
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
by pitbull187 on Aug 3, 2009 6:38 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
How original.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
by FredPancake on Aug 3, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
originality has nothing to due with the truth. Fedor is like a black hole anywhere he goes he sucks the org down from inside out. they will fall. it is just how it goes
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
by pitbull187 on Aug 3, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Fedor did not cause the downfall of Pride, BodogFight, or Affliction.
Pride-Lost TV contract due to being linked to the Yakuza by tabloids.
BodogFight-This whole thing was a publicity stunt by Bodog IMO.
Affliction- Barnett is to blame, not Fedor.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Bodog and Affliction were both started to advertise their respective companies, not to be in MMA for the long-haul IMO.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
And what is IMO worth? Blowing tens of millions of dollars on MMA to advertise something much easier and cheaper to advertise through normal channels is utterly moronic. When Ford wants to advertise their product through sports they sponsor teams in automobile racing they don’t go out and start their own internally run auto racing league that’s guaranteed to loose shit loads of money.
And IMO means it’s my perception, and I don’t have any evidence to back it up.It’s just the feeling iI got.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
*I
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
If you know the story Fedor and his camps negotiating tactics is what led to the Yakuza story coming out…
Now this is totally different from his purse or whether they deserved to go out of business (because eventually it would have happened anyway), but the behind the scenes pride/fedor story highlights the problems Fedor and his camp brings to the table.
Its like dealing with 20 chicks on PMS every day.
Examples
Plz.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Aug 3, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why should I believe a word “Bas Boon” says?
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Why should you believe a word ‘Fedor Emelianenko’ says? What gives him more credibility than Bas?
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 Aug 3, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
That TOTALLY wasn’t the point.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
There are two sides of the story, and you’re unequivocally buying Fedor’s.
If you can’t admit that to us, at least admit it to yourself.
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 Aug 3, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I do admit i'm on Fedors side..
At least admit you’re on Brocks/UFCs.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Better to be correct than unique.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Aug 3, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
It’s also better to say/do the right thing, rather than say/do the popular thing.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Fedor = Rosa Parks
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 Aug 3, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was talking about myself..
B/c it would be easy to jump off the Fedor bandwagon now that it is the popular thing to do. But, i’m not a cowardly Fair-weather fan so I won’t.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
seriously
that’s 3 organizations that has fallen while fedor has been a part of it. I’m not superstitious or anything, but that’s just a big coincidence.
Correlation does not imply causation. Pride had some dirty dealings that came public. Bodog and Affliction spent waaay too much money. Part of that money was spent on Fedor, but that’s a symptom of the overall problem. Jordan Breen did a great interview with Jeff Osborne that detailed the problems at BodogFight.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
Mike Fagan,
While the organizations failing were not Fedor’s fault, he does not bring in enough revenues to keep a company successful through tough times.
Tito Ortiz & Brock Lesnar’s name value alone could help the UFC out during tough times because they bring in revenues.
So while there isn’t a direct correlation, Fedor did have a strong impact on each company going out of business.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 3, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
You have to remember, there’s always a race to declare an organization dead, so that people can say, “You heard it here first.” I want to see some of the optimists beating their chests every now and then…
I’ve been a fan of the sport for far too long to be an optimist. I can’t even begin to tell you how many organizations were supposed to be “the next big one” or “the one that beats the UFC”. And everytime they fail. This dates back to the 1990’s. It’s always the same story. And the only organization that has weathered the storm is the UFC. Every other organization is either a fraction of what they once were or completely out of business.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 3, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a case of history repeating itself.
This is a case of history repeating itself.
This is a case of history repeating itself.
This is a case of history repeating itself.
This is a case of history repeating itself.
This is a case of history repeating itself.
This is a case of history repeating itself.
This is a case of history repeating itself.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Aug 3, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
R.I.P. Strikeforce it was a nice run while it lasted. The size of the Target on there their back now is huge and there is no telling what they paid Fedor. UFC will start picking away at there their roster and challenge every little thing they do
"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock
just a pet peeve. not an insult.
"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock
by BadB on Aug 3, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Now if we can only get you to do that to people who say “should of” and “would of” instead of “should’ve” and “would’ve”…
Loose instead of lose, while we are piling on, lol.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
As long as we don’t stop people from typing “your a idiot,” do all the grammar policing you want to. that is my favorite sentence on the internet.
“retarted” is my personal fave!
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
"It's a moo point"
You know, like a cow’s opinion
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 Aug 3, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
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 Aug 3, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
The Consequences of War: the UFC Money Drain Will Soon Make Strikeforce its Primary Target
Title suggestion:
The Consequences of War: the UFC Money Dreadnought Will Soon Make Strikeforce its Primary Target
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
To overcome the UFC payscale you need ppv… to be successful on ppv you need to build up to it and then pray you can overcome the LIVE and FREE counter programming.
by mmalogic on Aug 3, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Kimbo was on CBS twice… how close was a ppv?
by mmalogic on Aug 3, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is a mistake the UFC keeps making. The counter programming helped Affliction 1. That show was going to do 50,000 buys until the UFC got it on the front page of papers like the L.A. Times by running against it. I initially felt the other way, but evidence has convinced me otherwise. They give opponents free press by doing this.
I don’t know if this is the point Mike was making…. but when you bring attention to something and make it a us vs. them thing…. Both get better ratings.
It’s like WCW vs. WWF back in the day on Monday’s. The competition is what made each of them thrive.
If you act like the other one doesn’t exist, it hurts them even more.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 3, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
A good WCW/WWE example is Eric Bischoff announcing Mankind won the WWF title on a taped Monday Night RAW. It had the opposite effect as fans flocked to RAW to see the title win.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
Great example. I think it was the first time RAW won the ratings war in over a year too.
The difference is, Fedor is no Hulk Hogan. Strikeforce would of had to sign Tito Ortiz in order to turn any tide….
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 3, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s a reason why showtime basically got out of the boxing ppv business… HBO killed them with the counter programing.
Counter programming a ppv is very different to counter program a show on showtime or a show on CBS. there all different actually.
Zuffa Counter programing a ppv puts in place a ceiling for the buys… this ensures only the hardest of hardcore fans will purchase.
Zuffa’s payscale combined with Zuffa’s ability to counter program a ppv with Free Content is deadly… so deadly it’s virtually impossible to make this business model work.
There is no way another entity in this industry will be able to crack the ppv model… its all sealed up.
My analysis shows only one scenario of a “game changer”… They have to take UFC specifically out of the ppv model while creating an entirely new MMA model at the same time.
The odds are very remote – like winning the local lottery – but it’s better than trying to compete on Zuffa’s turf.
You would need 150m the full backing of CBS or another network and a free cable outlet. .. and everything to go right
When I say “game changer” im not talking about overtaking Zuffa because Zuffa moves very fluidly based on market indicators… but I mean in this scenario there would be a clear space for a number 2 (pepsi to ZUffa’s coke)
Anything short of this I dont see any scenario of a “pepsi” propping up.
Right now the war that’s being waged is not Zuffa versus Strikeforce because based on the deals strikeforce has made they will not be employing the Zuffa organizational model (wwe model) … Striekforce is devolving into the “boxing” model.
This is an entirely different war than the one with Pro-elite or the IFL.
THIS WAR IS ABOUT THE ZUFFA BUSINESS MODEL VERSUS THE BOXING BUSINESS MODEL.
this is not about a “#2” organization propping up – that possibility is all but nil. This is about whether or not Fedor’s “business model” can be validated. This war will be fought by Zuffa a bit differently.
by mmalogic on Aug 3, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
Rec’d.
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 Aug 3, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
For one
It was easier to get a group people over to pay for Affliction’s $45 pay per view. Friends were at least guaranteed to see 5-6 free UFC matches to calm there reservations about Affliction’s event.
you can get 5 to 6 friends to pay for affliction
or you could watch UFC for free with 5 to 6 friends. How would this help affliction?
Well, my friends and I are used to getting together periodically for a “UFC Party.” When Affliction and UFC had cards on the same night, it turned into a “UFC Party with Fedor fighting.” Turnout was similar to my UFC Parties, even though the only fight they were super-interested in seeing from Affliction was the Fedor fight. Not sure whether they’d turn out for just the Fedor fight.
the ppl that tuned in to see only the fedor fight
but watched the whole UFC card are the ppl that would have bought affliction regardless of UFC counter-programming. but, just because some tuned in to watch the fedor fight after watching the UFC free card, does not mean most did. Most “casual” fans watched UFC for free, and then said “affliction who?” UFC undermined afflictions ability to grasp a few casual fans for themselves, only leaving a few devoted die hards to watch the last fight with Fedor.
My point is:
affliction with no counter programming from UFC = X numbers of buys
affliction with counter programming from UFC = X-Y number of buys
that’s a no brainer
But you’re missing the point, which isn’t buyrates, it’s EYEBALLS. If I buy a PPV, and have 2 hardcore MMA fans watching it with me, that’s much different from buying the PPV, and having not only my two hardcore fan friends, but 5 more UFC fans that decide to “check out that Fedor guy we’ve been hearing so much about.” NONE of those people would have bought the PPV, but they saw it, and now they’re more aware of Fedor, and more likely to watch something with Fedor on it, especially if it’s free.
Well, in the example that I gave, I’m talking about what actually happened with my own friends. I can’t speak for other fans and their friends. Before, I could say “UFC,” and people were hyped. I could also say “The Kimbo Fight,” and people were intrigued. Now I can say “The Fedor Fight,” and those same people now care, whereas before they were saying, “Who’s Fedor?”
I know
from your experience, but it’s still just speculation when talking about the whole MMA population. Above you said that UFC counter programming helped affliction, this is speculation because you are using your own experience to justify your argument, when in a major scale it should be different.
IT didnt help Affliction..They didnt spark interest in Affliction with counter programming.. Affliction was doomed from the start. It’s business model and pay structure was their demise..
Affliction banked on making the HW division a marquee division in MMA. When Sadly it has never been because there were never any real athlete’s with personality until Brock.. He drives viewers to watch because he has a personality that the general viewers can relate to in some way or another.
Fedor will FAIL yet once again throughout the duration of this contract. Because he WILL NOT appeal to the casual MMA audience.. IF they cared to know about him they would have taken the time to get to know about him by now.. It’s been 3 years since PRIDE died. His name has been on the ranks of Yahoo, ESPN & other heavily visited sites as the #1 MMA HW & #1 consensus fighter on the planet.. What people dont realize is that he has zero personality, he cant relate to the American Mainstream Media. His handlers never took the time to invest in grooming him to crossover in the mainstream American market. Anderson Silva is also arguably one of the best fighters in the world right now. But he suffers (even with Zuffa PR Machine behind him) because he doesn’t communicate well to the general public.. It shows in his buyrates.. He’s the one champion that just doesn’t bring the mass fan appeal, but not for the lack of not being a great fighter or them not trying either.. He just doesn’t communicate to the public in America that well..
Fedor is stuck in SF because they have no “former UFC champions” to pit him against.. How are they going to build him up if he cant speak for himself ?? His handlers are even like robots when they speak.. Jerry Millen inserts foot in mouth everytime something comes out of his mouth.. Fedor has NO personality.. They dont care how good you are, they want someone they can relate to in one form or another.. Either they love you or they love to hate you, but either way you draw them in with your personality.. Brock is single handily the biggest draw in the sport of MMA in less than 6 fights.. Why is that ???
It boils down to dollars make sense in this case.. And with Fedor, you’re never making too many dollars and it never makes any sense…
by MMAuthority on Aug 3, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Good points
You need a personality (good or bad) to connect to the fans. Fedor is this plain looking Russian who doesn’t speak a word of English and doesn’t care.
The helped more than it hurt affliction because affliction just started business. They just opened there doors.
Before strikeforce gets on ppv they will be leading up to it with alot of time on showtime, etc….
Counter Programming guarantees the max buy rate. It guarantees a ceiling.
by mmalogic on Aug 3, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wait!
So no Babalu vs Gegard? No Hieron vs Diaz?
:’(
GSP: I pulled my groin.
Greg Jackson: I don't care Georges! HIT HIM WITH YOUR GROIN!
Is it disapointing to anyone else how delighted people are just at the thought that we may be losing another orginization?
It makes me sick to my stomach. Still if Fedor was still tied to an Affliction contract and M-1 signed with Strikeforce before they dealt with the status of their Affliction contract it’s their fault. It’s not like the Strikeforce deal wouldn’t of been there later once it was settled (of course if Strikeforce signed a fighter under contract somewhere else then that would go against them too). It’s going to get ugly but in this one it looks like everyone involved is to blame not just the UFC.
From the grave Affliction MMA stabs at the heart of MMA, heck they could make a t shirt of it.
as you know , Fedor never had a contract w/ affliction. He is with M1. M1 had agreements with affliction. M 1 will be the ones suing affliction for breach. Affliction cancelled the last fight they had with M1 without even notifying m 1 first. (according to M1)
I think rumors of Strikeforces demise are greatly exaggerated.
No, because then we can get ALL the top fighters in one organization and find out who is actually the best.
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 Aug 3, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I say we’re at least 5 years away…because the UFC doesn’t have the infrastructure for weekly fight cards yet. Plus they aren’t running cards in enough countries.
I’ll take the under on that.
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 Aug 3, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
How long is the WEC deal with Versus?
Also, I’m using “ranked in the Top 25” as the definition of a “top fighter.”
I go top twenty
And the exceptions (Fedor, Mousasi, Shields) will get thinner and thinner – Shields, for example, is pretty much a shoe-in.
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 Aug 3, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
You can't use the top 25, Zuffa will
just start a new promotion and you instantly have 6-0 guys in the top 10.
Strikeforce/M-1 Global/Fedor...
robbed me of Fedor/Lesnar so in turn I’m rooting for them to fail.
by BilboMcFonzie on Aug 4, 2009 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions
None of it
is Dana’s fault? They were aware of the demands going into calling into negotiations, but refused to make it happen in spite of the fans wants. Remember the UFC got a shot at Fedor before Strikeforce.
Every single person, with the possible exception of Gary Millen, knew that it would be business suicide for the UFC to co-promote with M-1. M-1 constantly asking for that is a sign of negotiating in bad faith, with no intention of ever signing with the UFC.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Refused to make it happen? Are you freaking kidding me? They caved on every single thing except giving half their business away. The deal they tried to make was a BAD deal for them and a AMAZING deal for Fedor. They did that because the FANS wanted it, Fedor told us fans to bite him.
by Chris Barton on Aug 4, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Pride's demise Fedor's fault?
I’m sorry, maybe I’m not familiar with the whole story on how PRIDE collapsed. but can you REALLY blame their demise on Fedor? This is retarded logic, unless you can actually back it up?
The only thing retarded is your reading comprehension.
by Michael Rome on Aug 3, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
“but the costs of using him have also sunk numerous promotions he’s worked with since Pride collapsed. "
Words is hard and shit.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Aug 3, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Even though Rome didnt say that you can trace Prides downfall directly to Fedor and his management. It was through this whole episode their yakuza ties came out.
by mmalogic on Aug 3, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Aug 3, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
This kind of deal isn’t what got Strikeforce where it is. I’m not a person to use the term “never.” I don’t see the UFC as an organization that can’t be beaten or contended with in time, provided a competitor makes the right moves. However, they’re holding most of the cards at this point. I just can’t see how Fedor is a net benefit. His addition only pisses off Zuffa, and they don’t have many big names. Plus, their talent level is on balance much weaker than the UFC. I just don’t see it.
It would take most of their current stars to retire and no new stars to be born to knock the UFC off the #1 spot.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 3, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
- eat shit
#2, Yes, i misread, but still – “Fedor Emelianenko is a superstar among MMA fans, but the costs of using him have also sunk numerous promotions he’s worked with since Pride collapsed.”
How did using Fedor sink Affliction? I thought it was their idiotic payroll, mostly, since Fedor wasn’t even their top earner by a long shot.
He was their top earner, M-1 was being paid the vast bulk of the money, not Fedor. The 300k was pittance, M-1 was making over 2 million per show. Meltzer and a number of others have confirmed this.
by Michael Rome on Aug 3, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The contract with Affliction was actually with M-1, not Fedor. They get paid, and then disburse. Fedor made 300k, rest goes to M-1, which Fedor is an equity shareholder of. It’s a complicated mess.
by Michael Rome on Aug 3, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
EVERY TIME I READ THAT
it makes me sick. they do nothing and get paid
And perhaps I was harsh, but next time you decide to call something retarded you should take a step back and read it again. It’s possible to just disagree.
LeonDaLion
I realize Mr. Rome attacked your intelligence with his above, which was inappropriate to do….. don’t sink to the level, don’t get banned over something as trivial as the downfall of Pride. Lots of theories out there and none of them are exactly wrong.
"Moral of the story: mmalogic is wrong. Thanks" Leland Roling, my new favorite writer on BE.
One Organization To Rule Them All!
“Hey Scott, let’s go for a walk…”
GSP: I pulled my groin.
Greg Jackson: I don't care Georges! HIT HIM WITH YOUR GROIN!
by xFenixKnightx on Aug 3, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Not logic
The UFC was not willing to pay these fighters more than what Strikeforce offered.
You would think that they will change their business plan just because Fedor did not sign in the UFC? This is not logic.
I think that if the UFC is going to do the war with Strikeforc,e they would have do that anyway. I can’t imagine that a whole company would go crazy only because they did not sign a fighter.
White maybe, but the Fertitta, no. They are smart.
The UFC’s business plan has been all about killing competing orgs since 2006. This is not just about Fedor, Jake, Nick, etc. This is about asserting utter dominance over high level pro MMA in North America.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
And it's working
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 Aug 3, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
The acquisition of Fedor means that Strikeforce is changing their attitude towards the UFC. Previously, they were content to be considered inferior to the UFC in terms of their fighters, happily allowing the best fighters per division to remain in the UFC, while picking up the ones who couldn’t cut it, but still put on entertaining fights. With Fedor, they are starting down the path of building a division that might one day rival the UFC. This now makes them competition, and they have drawn the sights of the UFC.
You’re right, the Fertitta’s are smart, and Dana is smart; that’s why they’re doing this, that’s why the UFC is so successful.
by Shaun32887 on Aug 3, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
When Strikeforce acquired EliteXC and signed the majority of its fighters it looked clear that they wanted to grow.
I think that it was only a matter of time like say Ubernoober. They problably already planned something against Strikeforce.
Strikeforce could have existed indefinetly and profitably if they didn’t get the crazy idea to play chicken with a freight train.
I should mail Scott Coker a copy of Sun Tzu.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him.
Apparently he already hs a copy.
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
*has a copy
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
Paraphraise alert:
Don’t irritate a tempramental opponent if they can crush you at will.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
Even Harvard lawyers
are/were smart enough not to pull something stupid like that.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
What are you talkin' about?
That stuff still goes on these days, it’s just that in general there’s less blood visible to the public.
The wounds are just as life-threatening, though.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Aug 3, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They are going to war with Strikeforce because the signing of Emilianenko represents a legitimate attempt to move to pay-per-view and to actually compete with the UFC. If Strikeforce has been content to remain a step below the UFC Zuffa wouldn’t have made these moves.
by Andy R on Aug 3, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
About the Money Drain
It’s only a money drain if Strikeforce intends to overpay for fighters. Affliction drained themselves before UFC even knew it was a competitor.
There are always new, upcoming fighters looking for a platform. Is UFC capable of promoting both Strikeforces big free agents and drain the future talent pool? The Oakland A’s are still around, albeit 2nd fiddle, without ever holding onto a real talent.
As they build stars those stars are going to want more money out of their next contract, that’s not overpaying that’s just how things work, the more successful you are with building a guy up the more you are going to have to pay them. When the contracts are up the UFC will show up with an ungodly checkbook and Strikeforce will have to chose whether they want to pay that top dollar or let those guys go and hope they can build new stars. They don’t have to be overpaying now for their cost to skyrocket, heck that’s a side affect of their own success, it will happen regardless. The difference here is that Zuffa can afford to overpay to take those guys away but can Strikeforce afford to overpay to keep them?
We don’t even know if it’s in Strikeforce’s business plan to resign their stars. So far it’s been the opposite. Strikeforce has been picking up the pieces UFC has dropped on the cheap.
I think the funniest thing about this threat was UFC was going to poach fighters from Strikeforce’s roster before Fedor.
They have changed what they are doing since they got on Showtime quite a bit. They have started wrapping guys up long term and using exclusive contracts, when you are contractually obligated to produce a significant number of shows per year you have to keep your star power locked up and ready to go.
I agree that the UFC was probably looking at several of those guys anyway, the thing is Zuffa’s pockets are deep enough that they don’t have to cut the guys that Strikeforce usually picks up like they used to either, not to mention they could start poaching guys they normally wouldn’t who are important to Strikeforce (Joe Riggs level guys). Things will change drastically when the relationship goes from respectfully competitive and friendly to very ugly and the lawyers start buzzing around.
Not to mention Strikeforce is the only thing left worthy of a challenge in the U.S. UFC takes down Strikeforce and they stand alone in the American market. Strikeforce has its chance but i think the UFC will go after them harder then they have anybody else. until its just too much and CBS/SHOWTIME pull the plug. and with the fighters they signed and money spent to seccure those fighters i feel they would be in over there heads and call it quits. Asoon as you stop making a profit and taking a loss the backers disappear. Dana had the Fertittias who cared about MMA and they still almost bailed out.
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
But they were most likely going to go after Strikeforce and some point anyway, the moment they signed someone that the UFC wanted to re-sign. This just means it happens sooner.
Not necessarily, there is plenty of room in the industry for a number two promotion, the problems come when that promotion tries to actually take on the UFC. Signing Fedor isn’t just taking away a guy they wanted to sign it’s declaring that we are moving into your PPV playground and going after your market share. I’m sure it’s also going to be seen by Dana as a slap in the face because of how things worked out with the M-1 negotiations but this goes beyond that into deep legal waters.
Until they state intentions to run PPV, they’re running on a different business model, and the UFC is just being bitter and paranoid. If they decide to “crush” Strikeforce based on that perceived slight, they were going to do it anyway, based on whatever slight they perceived, whenever they perceived it.
“The UFC may also open up a legal front in this battle against Strikeforce. It’s unclear what rights they have under the “collaboration” deal with Affliction, but I expect them to assert those rights to the fullest extent that they can. It’s another way to start draining money out of their opposition."
I wonder if the UFC could sue strickeforce, and make their life hard, and try and make it so Fedor dosn’t fight for awhile if they wanted. The lawsuit with merit or not could drag out till next year.
by NinjaRehab on Aug 3, 2009 7:09 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Nailed it.
Also, to make the quotes in your posts look better, try pressing the " button beside the bold, italics and strikethrough icons.
You get this effect.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
We were all noobs at some point. Except the BE mods and editors. They were born with great internet skill and above-average good looks.
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
We were all noobs at some point
You always will be, Ubernoober.
They were born with great internet skill and above-average good looks.
Have you seen Fagan? It’s not pretty:
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’m also a professional bowler if you do the required Google research.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
Jack of many trades, master of none
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
According to Google I was a 17 year old girl who died in a car crash a few years ago.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
My condolences.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Aug 3, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I wrote a book about my time in Vietnam.
I was very confused when some of my fellow servicemembers started emailing me about them when I was 18.
Are you like the guy in ‘Tropic Thunder’ who wrote that book and it was all just made up?
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 Aug 3, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if Strikeforce is going to sign more Heavyweights now that they have Fedor. While a good year-and-a-half to two years can go by with Fedor vs Overeem/Rogers/Werdum, I wonder if Strikeforce will sign others like Antonio Silva (when his suspension is over), Jeff Monson, Gilbert Yvel, Paul Buentello, and possibly even Josh Barnett (a small possibility I know, but there is a demand, albeit a small one, for that fight). I feel that besides getting Fedor, if Strikeforce decides to really beef up their Heavyweight division, then they would really be putting the stamp on Fedor’s signing.
Don’t be shocked to see the UFC (not Strikeforce) sign more and more Heavyweights in the next 6 months. They are going to take away all contenders from Fedor.
by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 3, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
No Buentello has not signed with the UFC as of yet.. He is actually under contract to SF for 1 more fight. People forgot that he was on loan to Afliction much like Sobral was.. As is Gegard too..
What I havent seen or heard of yet was that final remaining Fedor fight under contract to Affliction.. If the UFC liquefied & dissolved Affliction’s assets then there may be some legal play on their part to cease and desist on the SF signing.. Of course I’m merely speculating because I dont know the specifics of Fedor’s Affliction deal and the rider attached to his contract either..
What a crazy f'ng week!
I really hope SF can somehow manage to stick around for a while longer, cause it would be a shame to miss out on their shows. SF has been a great alternative to the UFC, and while I am a big UFC fan, I am also first and foremost an MMA fan, and if SF isn’t around, that just means less shows for us fans.
I love me some Sexyama!
Again, the brilliance of BE shines through
When you get multiple people putting their opinions on the front page, you’ll get a correct one (Rome’s) and several incorrect ones (the others). Then, you can come to an educated conclusion (Rome’s).
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 Aug 3, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
LOL, agreed. In fear of being banned by Nate or Brent.
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
again
disagreeing is not a bannable offence.
however perhaps agreeing with Rome could be….
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Whatever gets me out of here, AMIRITE?
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 Aug 3, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Then you’d have to become a troll, the most villainous and hated form of life found on internet message boards and blogs, despised by the local populace for reasons often unknown, and other times too complicated to explain.
Oh wait…
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Aug 3, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You bastard.
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 Aug 3, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey man, I've got your back,
green and lumpy though it may or may not be.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
by misterjonez on Aug 4, 2009 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d^
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
You might wanna rescind that.
Subo and I are probably the staunchest allies each other has got. I only make jokes with him because all we’ve got is each other ’round here.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
Brett Rogers doesn’t look too happy about the fedor signing in that pic
by kanodogg on Aug 3, 2009 8:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
He was just told that instead of getting the $800,000 he wanted to fight Fedor in Affliction he is now gonna get $20,000 to do it for SF instead
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 Aug 3, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
The UFCs best tactic is to ignore them.
They have painted the picture of having good relations with Strikeforce and they should maintain this illusion.
They can say “Fedor is a snake cause he left the bargaining table while we were still negotiating.” but maintain the cordial ties with Strikeforce by implying they are a worthy competitor.
It is akin to saying that the person you are fighting is a great fighter, even if they are not, complimenting competition you are going to beat makes you look humble and also respectful as well as after victory your opponent was someone that people will have thought had the chance to win, regardless of your intentions.
Ride the wave they are creating with a smile, don’t let Strikeforce push the UFC into becoming offensive, how many fights can they possibly do with Fedor? 3? 4? After that, then what?
Strikeforce knows better than to try to co-promote with the UFC and after Fedor runs out of opponents, they will have nothing left, just like EliteXC after Kimbo, because if you put all your resources into one fighter you are not a MMA promotion, you are just promoting a fighter.
And after the fighter you are promoting runs out of opponents, you are left with a promotion you did not promote and a lot of debt.
Just another thing added to the list of why Fedor signing is not “good for MMA” just because it creates “competition.”
When Zuffa goes into battle, they use UFC 1 rules, that usually isn’t good for the fighters who get caught in the crossfire (at least in the short term).
by Phildo on Aug 3, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Why? It’s 3 fights, there are three compelling fights for him there even if they aren’t top 5 (which we all agree they should be). As a person, I’m not very interested in him anymore. He shit on me as a fan, but I want to watch the best fight and Fedor is the best.
by Chris Barton on Aug 3, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Its like having to driving a ’08 Mustang when you could be driving a ’67 Mustang. One option is just so much more favorable than the other it makes the others look like junk (even if its ok).
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
I see what you’re saying, I’m just trying to add some realistic perspective here. It’s not all doom and gloom, even though it does suck.
by Chris Barton on Aug 3, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
2 compelling fights at best.
Brett Rogers is still a nobody really. Fight goes like this:
Rogers charges Fedor ala his Arlovski tactics
Fedor takes Rogers down
Fedor submits Rogers using ‘That ground shit’
Time take < 30 seconds.
Compelling?
'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 Aug 4, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Rogers is compelling
I’m just not buying that Strikeforce is going to sit on their thumbs on their current roster. I think Monson would be compelling and they could easily pick him up. I’d be interested in Buentello or Gracie too.
by Chris Barton on Aug 4, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Rogers is a big boy. It’s going to be a little harder than that. Also, Brett doesn’t “bumrush” people in every fight. It was in his best interest to make the AA fight a brawl. He did that.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Wow, I can't believe this drivel
I’ve hardly seen anyone say the word “Coker” in these posts. You make it sound thats he’s new to promoting and has no clue of what he’s doing. Scott Coker is smart, way smarter than Dana White who uses brute force whereas Scott Coker is more methodical.
He has seen how the UFC built itself and has continued to make money, now all the sudden signing the biggest Free Agent in MMA is going to put him out of business?
Oh, the UFC will target Strikeforce now, but Coker knows not to piss in the wind.
Forget PPV’s wait till CBS goes prime time with this, Advertising dollars on CBS during primetime, compated to Spike TV???? Laughable. PPV won’t be for a long time, If Coker has anything to say about it.
by T-VO on Aug 3, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
If Coker was really smart he would never have signed Fedor, Dana doesn’t play around he’s buried all his competition who’ve had bigger name fighters and bigger bankrolls. Coker is fucked i’m just not sure if he knows it yet, CBS/Showtime/EA none of them will be able to save them from the UFC machine which is simply too big an dominant right now after the success of UFC 100 and Undisputed. A year from now we will look back and shake our head and wonder how a smart guy like Coker could be so fucking stupid.
Coker is very smart… but I think what happened was they missed on Tito and tried to make do with Fedor.
It’s like missing a very good opportunity and and then you just grab the next best thing without looking at all the angles and using common sense.
It happens to everybody.
Undoubtedly, yes.
He’s still a major PPV force, not as big as he might like to think, but every MMA fan knows who he is and like to watch him fight.
Fedor has far less value to Strikforce than Tito did. Huge difference.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
Like when the Warriors lost Baron and missed Brand, then decided to give $55 million to Maggette.
Sorry. Wrong sport.
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Aug 4, 2009 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
If Scott Coker is so much smarter than Dana White why is the UFC in the position Strikeforce wishes it was in? Everybody likes to talk shit on Dana because he runs his mouth a lot but he is a smart son of a bitch and a helluva businessman, how else can you explain him turning a business that was losing money by the truckload into one valued at over a billion dollars?
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
And who was in charge the entire time?
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 Aug 3, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hey, you asked for an alternative explanation to “Dana White is smarter than Scott Coker because he turned a business that was losing money into a billion-dollar one,” and I gave you an alternative explanation…
But it’s not, just because Frank and Lorenzo put money into it doesn’t mean that Dana wasn’t the one who engineered the turnaround.
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 Aug 4, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If Scott Coker is so much smarter than Dana White why is the UFC in the position Strikeforce wishes it was in? Everybody likes to talk shit on Dana because he runs his mouth a lot but he is a smart son of a bitch and a helluva businessman, how else can you explain him turning a business that was losing money by the truckload into one valued at over a billion dollars?
You’re right, just because it was one thing doesn’t mean it wasn’t another. But again, all I did was present an alternative hypothesis, which is ALL THAT YOU ASKED. It’s entirely possible that the money was more important than the intelligence and business savvy. It’s also possible that a number of things broke in Dana’s favor, that didn’t work in Coker’s favor, such as being convinced to do a reality show about fighters when your reality show about your investor falls through. All of those things are other possible ways to explain why UFC is now worth a billion, and Strikeforce isn’t, than that Dana White is smarter than Scott Coker.
It’s entirely possible that the money was more important than the intelligence and business savvy
Apparently not, EliteXC lost just as much if not more than the UFC did, how are they doing nowadays?
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
Billionaire backers willing to sink $40 million into the endeavor, and still [stay] committed.
^^This. Money’s ok, but COMMITTED money is better. If the Fertittas don’t love MMA like Dana did, they pull the plug, the way successful business people often do when they sustain losses. But they were willing to keep at it, and keep funding Zuffa, and things finally turned around.
The build up to the WAR
"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 Damon O. on Aug 3, 2009 11:13 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This implies an evenness of the fight that I don’t think applies here.
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 Aug 3, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Brock Lesnar vs Kyle Maynard level of unfairness?
Keep firing Assholes!
Thanks to Bisping's reenactment of the Battle of Cowpens, walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by Ubernoober on Aug 3, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Oh I'm going to green this...
Hell yeah its a f’d up analogy…. but nothing speaks better about it.
No further comments on Bruce Wayne.
Evenness to the unenlightened...
Abomination got worked in the end.
"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 Damon O. on Aug 3, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Everyone is assuming because Brett Rogers and Overeem are in strikeforce that they’ll actually fight Fedor… Remember their current contracts arent paying shit and if they can finish their contract without losing there is a huge payday waiting for them in the UFC.
So either Striekforce will have to pony up and pay these guys to fight Fedor or their gonna pull an “arlovski”.
If thet can beat Fedor...
Then they WILL get a huge payday. Either from SF or the UFC.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
if they lose they become tim sylvia… none of them will risk that with their current contract. So either Strikeforce will have to pony up or they will ride their contract out and test the free market waters.
by mmalogic on Aug 3, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So if you lose to Fedor you’re a bumb overnight?
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Someone should tell that to alot of good fighters.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Alot of good fighters...?
Nog and Crocop are the only ones who have proven that they were really worth a shit.
by Chris Barton on Aug 4, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Whatever you say, buddy.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
It’s not my job to explain the context of All of Fedors past fights. Do some research yourself.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
Here is the thing, I have. Which is why I made a statement about it. You decided to balk at the statement without citing any evidence of your own to the contrary. It’s completely transparent that you don’t actually have an argument, you are just ass-hurt people realize Fedor hasn’t exactly beat the murders row of fighters like you want so desperately to believe.
He is the best HW fighter, but you guys turn him into a fictional character.
by Chris Barton on Aug 4, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I never turned him into a “fictional character”. I think he’s the #1 HW fighter and personally believe he is #1 pfp. Stop putting words in my mouth and when posting get to the point and stop rambling.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
This is a red herring
Look it up.
by Chris Barton on Aug 4, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Your opinion. i’m moving on.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
It’s not an opinion it’s, in fact, what a red herring is. I challenge you to look it up, it will do you smoe good in trying to discuss things with people.
by Chris Barton on Aug 4, 2009 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Fedor haters are masters of the red herring. So, NO.
"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-James Arthur Baldwin
FYI
that’s another red herring.
I might start having to rec these for the hilarity.
by Chris Barton on Aug 4, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
He is the best HW fighter, but you guys turn him into a fictional character.
Turning people into myths and legends is part and parcel of promotion in fightsport. It’s par for the course, or did you think that he was really an Emperor (last or otherwise) and had cybernetic implants?
Side note: Why “The Russian Cyborg” and not “The Universal Soldier?” That guy was more badass…
I've mentioned this before
And nobody seems to have a response to it. All I hear about is Overeem, Rogers, and Werdum. I’m gonna steal some of your thunder here logic- I GUARANTEE that Fedor does NOT fight all three of those guys if he does indeed go to Strikeforce.
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
They cant respond because your right… none of these guys except for werdum will fight Fedor on the conditions of their current contracts. Even Ken Pavia (brett rogers agent) isnt that stupid.
Rogers will do it just ot make a bigger name for himself. remeber? he's the hungriest fighter in mma
I agree on that. Rogers did wanted to take the fight with Fedor when the opportunity presented itself. But also remember, he was going to be paid half-a-mil for that fight. It’s going to be difficult for him to except what he is getting now. At the moment, Rogers is probably the only intriguing (if there’s any) opponent for Fedor. I think Rogers probably has a good bargaining position to get a higher purse
by The Bronzeville Bully on Aug 4, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions
No he is not intriguing to me whatsoever
Takedown, submission, done. Easiest payday for Fedor since Tim Sylvia.
Fedor will not back up to the fence in a straight line to a Rogers bumrush. Game over.
'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 Aug 4, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
They could eventually do Roger Gracie vs. Fedor. That would be a huge fight – a lot of people still remember the name Gracie.
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