Fertitta not White working on Hendo vs. Fedor

For nearly 15 years Dan Henderson and Fedor Emelianenko have enjoyed two of the most extraordinary careers in the history of Mixed Martial Arts. When word surfaced they they were in negotiation to fight, the collective consensus was simple – this is a great fight.

The stated stumbling block is nothing short of crazy – Fedor who has fought at Heavyweight his entire career wants it at a catchweight at 220, whereas Henderson, who fought last year at 185, wants the match at heavyweight. Several reports indicate that that is not the true problem, and that both sides are onbiard at any weight.

It appears that the real issue is fighter compensation, and whether the fight will be on PPV or Showtime – Fedor’s management company, M-1 Global, has a co-promotional agreement with Strikeforce for shows in which he fights.

With the UFC recent purchase of Strikeforce, a logical assumption would be that UFC President Dana White steps in and brokers an agreement. White however remains bitter about failed negotiations with Fedor’s management, a group he collectively refers to as “crazy Russians.”

“I’ve been out of it,” said White on Thursday. “Me involved in that situation would only make matters worse. The great thing about this company and the way we do things – there’s a lot of people I butt heads with. Lorenzo can handle it, and then I can handle stuff. Joe Silva handles stuff.”

“Lorenzo’s working on it,” White said. “Me getting anywhere near that thing? You’ll never see that fight.”

In addition, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, who maintianed his role in the company following its buyout by UFC, has said for weeks he’s working hard to make the fight happen.