M-1: UFC Is WWE of MMA
In this exclusive interview with FanHouse, the former PRIDE USA VP discusses Fedor Emelianenko’s legacy, co-promotion, the current negotiations and…
In this exclusive interview with FanHouse, the former PRIDE USA VP discusses Fedor Emelianenko’s legacy, co-promotion, the current negotiations and more.
Q. Dana White has said in the past there’s no way they’ll co-promote, and M-1 requires co-promotion. Does this mean there’s no way this deal can work out?
My thing is this: Dana says there’s no way he’s going to do a co-promotion. How bad does Dana want to prove his fighters are the top in the world? If they want to say they got the top fighter in the world. Prove it. We’re willing to prove it. Fedor’s willing to fight anybody anytime. And he is, he’s willing to fight anybody [but] on equal terms. We’re not asking for more. We won’t settle for less — we’re not asking for more though. Fedor will fight anybody on equal terms. So if Dana believes he has the best fighters in the world then shut up or put up. It was the same thing when I was at PRIDE. We got the best fighters in the world. Let the fighters fight. This is what it’s about: the fighters fighting. Dana’s made enough money, now let the fighters fight. If the fans want to see Fedor and Brock Lesnar, then let them fight. Whatever it takes, let them fight.
Obviously they want to make the most money, but if they truly care what the fans want to see, then they’ll do pretty much whatever it takes to make that happen cause we’re asking for just equal treatment. That’s it. That’s all that is.
Q. Do you think they have more to lose than gain? The argument is that they’re possibly building up a competitor. They are already at the top, there’s no reason to give someone else the spotlight.