Canadian-Russian light heavyweight Misha Cirkunov is on an eight-fight win streak, the last four in the UFC, all finishes. He is a rising prospect in a division that needs some. He let his contract run out and entered negotiations with the UFC.
However, league president Dana White spoke recently with Aaron Bronsteter from Canada’s The Sports Network and said contract negotiations did not do well. Formerly ranked #10, Cirkunov has now disappeared from the rankings.
You know, I met with Misha and his wife,” said White not unkindly at the 5:13 mark. “And good people and everything else, but he ended up really flaking out on the deal. So I’m not interested.”
“I’m done. He knows I’m done. I made it very clear I’m done.
White has in the past used deadlines and public announcements to influence contract negotiations, but this done appears to mean done.
You’ll see him somewhere,” said White firmly. “It just won’t be here.
Russian oligarchs are engaging in sports diplomacy in the MMA space, so do not be surprised to see Cirkunov fight soon, perhaps in Eurasia Fight Nights, which is fueled by Ziyavudin Magomedov. Magomedov was a multi-billionaire when his big friend was then Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. When Putin returned to power, Magomedov dropped to ordinary billionaire status and appears to have discovered that investing in MMA is a wise choice if Putin is watching.
