Fedor vs Aleks
By now it’s no secret that former Pride FC Heavyweight Champion and Affliction headliner Fedor Emelianenko is being vigorously pursued…
By now it’s no secret that former Pride FC Heavyweight Champion and Affliction headliner Fedor Emelianenko is being vigorously pursued by most of the world’s mixed martial arts promotions following the untimely demise of his previous employer, Affliction MMA.
Topping the list of potential suitors is Dana White, president of The Ultimate Fighting Championship, who no doubt sees the biggest pay-per-view (PPV) of all time in his company’s future should he somehow finagle a heavyweight superfight between the Russian Rancor and Zuffa’s pale powerhouse, Brock Lesnar. Our friends at BloodyElbow posted a report from radio host Carmichael Dave stating that the UFC allegedly offered Emelianenko the most lucrative contract in the history of the sport, practically bending to every demand from his management team — except one:
•The UFC offered Fedor a six-fight, 30 million dollar contract (based on Zuffa’s projections of future PPV revenue).
•The UFC offered Fedor an immediate title shot.
•The UFC offered M-1 Global a cut of the championship PPV on top of Fedor’s purse anticipating Lesnar vs. Fedor as the biggest PPV in MMA history.
•Fedor was free to wear as many M-1 sponsored items as he wanted.
•The UFC would grant Fedor the ability to compete in combat Sambo tournaments.
So what’s the hold up? Vadim Co-promotion Finkelchtein, it seems.
The Last Emperor operates under the power of the M-1 Global President and Co-Owner for all his business dealings. It’s co-promote or bust for Vaddy. And despite the bags of money that White and Co. have been leaving at the Russian’s doorstep, Fedor appears unmotivated to secure a deal.
From his July 29 press conference:
The offer which was made by the UFC is not interesting for us. I completely trust Vadim and I completely trust our team in M-1 Global.