Published by Stephen Rhodes

It looks like Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 Global along with Strikeforce have struck a deal for the Last Emperor ot fight under the Strikeforce banner in a co-promoted fight card.

According to UFCJunkie.com, Emelianenko will take on Fabricio Werdum at a June 26 event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA, with the main  card airing on Showtime.

M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein told UFCJunkie.com that the main concerns centered around the branding of the shows – in this case an original three-card agreement between the two parties – along with some financial issues, as well, with Finkelchtein adding:

“When two organizations decide to work together on a project like this, it would figure that the brands of both of the companies involved in the project would be recognized equally in the project.”

“I think it’s fair enough to say that everyone who saw the Nov. 7 show essentially had no idea that it was a co-promotion between M-1 and Strikeforce. It looked like a Strikeforce show. The fact that we had our logo on the mat didn’t make us stand out at all from any of the other sponsors. The small logos that we had and the graphics that we had, they didn’t spell out co-promotion in the way that we had expected.

“In terms of the financial side of things, we invested money into the project, and it was a considerably larger amount of money than Strikeforce. All we want going forward is what was promised to us. We don’t want additional co-promotion. We don’t want additional branding. We don’t want additional money. We just want what was promised to us in the negotiations prior to this relationship being entered into. It’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that, essentially, and nothing on top of what was promised.”

With the issues ironed out, Strikeforce and M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Werdum looks like this:

• Cung Le vs. Scott Smith*
• Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum

* – Not officially announced

1 Comment . May 04, 2010
Filed under: MMA Calendar, Octagon Buzz, Fabricio Werdum, Fedor Emelianenko, M-1 Global, strikeforce, Vadim Finklechtein

Published by Stephen Rhodes

Ever since the negotiations between the UFC and Fedor Emelianenko broke down, there have been suitors that have been clamoring for the services of the heavyweight champion.  The latest pursuant of Fedor?  That would be Strikeforce.

According to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, he says that the organization is pushing hard for the heavyweight’s services, adding in an interview held previously with MMAWeekly.com,

“We’ve had a good conversation about the strengths of what we do, and what we can offer. They had the meeting (Tuesday) with the UFC, and they’re going to meet with a couple boxing promoters that have been calling up. You can imagine . . . he’s like the hot free agent.”

Strikeforce has been amenable to the demand by M-1 Global (the organization that represents Emelianenko) that they co-promote events in addition to allowing Fedor to fight in other mixed-martial arts organizations – both which were sticking points between M-1 and the UFC in their negotiations.

According to Coker,

“They’re talking to everybody and they’re not going to make a decision right away. They’re going to take their time. They basically said we’ll get back to you and we’ll probably make a decision in the next couple of weeks.”

Now how can Strikeforce be able to compete and at the same time placate Camp Emelianenko?  One idea that comes to mind is the fact that they would have to pay-per-view any events that Emelianenko is involved with, keeping in mind that the asking price these days for Fedor is around $5 million per fight.

Strikeforce’s events have been shown by Showtime, so PPV would be uncharted waters for them.  And I am not necessarily convinced that their track record insofar as pure numbers would suggest that PPV would be a success, despite Fedor’s presence.

The thing that stands out more than anything else, and I am not alone in this way of thinking, is the fact that Fedor has rarely spoken out in reference to any negotiations on any of his contracts – including the M-1/UFC negotiations.  It also does not help that Vadim Finklechtein, head of M-1 throws out there that ridiculous demand to other MMA organizations that they co-promote with M-1.

So basically, there is two things that prevent Emelianenko from joining a larger organization:  Fedor thinking for himself (Finklechtein has this Svengali-like influence over him) and M-1 insisting that they co-promote events. 

M-1 Global makes the claim that they have helped in the advancement of MMA by utilizing the “team” concept, in their “M-1 Challenge” series.  Good concept in theory as it pits one country against another country.  Almost like the Olympics, per se.

But the thing is that the UFC has truly spanned the globe in creating brand awareness.  They’re not the proverbial “one-trick pony” at all.  Which is why the co-promotion demand by M-1 will never fly.  If Strikeforce wants to co-promote with them, then more power to them; however, I am not of the mindset that a partnership between Strikeforce and M-1 is doable. 

Because when the smoke clears, the day that Emelianenko leaves M-1 Global for good, that would be the beginning of the end for that organization.

Post a comment . Aug 03, 2009
Filed under: Commentary, Octagon Buzz, Fedor Emelianenko, M-1 Global, Scott Coker, strikeforce, UFC, Vadim Finklechtein

Published by Stephen Rhodes

I had earlier reported that it was looking very likely that heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko was going to sign with the UFC – perhaps as soon as this Friday.  Well folks, there’s been a change of plans.

Thanks to the fine folks over at M-1 Global – specifically M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelchtein – Emelianenko’s plan to join the UFC has been put on ice for the foreseeable future; according to CBS Radio MMA host Carmichael Dave, the UFC offered Emelianenko a 6-fight, $30 million deal – easily the best deal in the MMA.

In addition, he was going to be given an immediate title shot against Brock Lesnar, with M-1 Global receiving a percentage of the Lesnar-Emelianenko PPV.  Not only that, but Emelianenko would have been able to wear the M-1 Global logo on any of his attire and would have been allowed to utilize combat sambo in the Octagon – a bone of contention in the past.

But as has been the custom with M-1, they insisted on co-promoting the event with the UFC – which you know isn’t going to happen under Dana White’s watch.  Finkelchtein added that progress could possibly be made, just not right now.  What Finklechtein is looking for in this scenario is to negotiate with other MMA organizations. including Strikeforce.  So as of this post, Fedor and the UFC realizing a partnership has been put on hold for right now, although in the crazy world of the UFC, anything is possible.

As always, stay tuned to Octagon Buzz on this everchanging situation involving Emelianenko, M-1 Global and the UFC.

Post a comment . Jul 30, 2009
Filed under: Octagon Buzz, Dana White, Fedor Emelianenko, M-1 Global, UFC, Vadim Finklechtein