“Trilogy” Cancellation Could Create Window of Opportunity with the UFC
Mixfight.ru, the official Russian-language site of M-1Global.com, was able to reach M-1 Global President and Co-Owner Vadim Finkelchtein by phone…
Mixfight.ru, the official Russian-language site of M-1Global.com, was able to reach M-1 Global President and Co-Owner Vadim Finkelchtein by phone soon after the cancellation of Trilogy.
Finkelchtein issued his first official comments regarding the matter to Mixfight.ru in Russian. A translated version of Finkelchtein comments to Mixfight.ru is now available.
During the brief conversation with Mixfight.ru, Finkelchtein explained Affliction’s logic behind canceling the entire event.
Affliction is asserting that all the steps that have transpired had to take place because of the disruption caused in the presentation of their PPV, he began to explain. The fact is that according to American laws, if you advertise the showing of an event on a paid television channel, you are obligated to deliver what has been advertised.
In other countries, the marketing was centered around Fedor. However, in the U.S. the marketing of the fight was clearly built around both Fedor and Josh Barnett. Since Barnett was unable to compete as advertised, Affliction was concerned about legal issues.
In a bit of a surprise, Affliction announced a reconciliation with the UFC on Friday and confirmed that its involvement in MMA will now be limited to that as a sponsor. Finkelchtein was asked if M-1 will continue to work with Affliction.
This question remains open, he answered. Negotiations are currently taking place as we speak. With this cancellation they not only let us down but all the fighters and the MMA fans all over the world as well.
One of the most pressing questions coming from the cancellation is what will be the fate of former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. In an official statement over the weekend, M-1 Global promised fight fans that Emelianenko will return to active competition as soon as possible.
We are now with Fedor in the U.S. and we hope to make a decision about his next fight within the next few days, Finkelchtein stated. There are many business meetings and negotiations planned with all the major promotions. We will explore the possibility of Fedor fighting Barnett and will even look into whether the fight can take place as soon as August (since Barnett has not been suspended).