Fedor, Vadim and the UFC: A Match Not Made in Heaven
Posted by Dave Walsh on July 29th, 2009
If you were a sucker, like me, you would have just called in to Fedor’s conference call this afternoon in an attempt to hear what the big news was going to be from Fedor and his camp. Instead, we were treated to the delight of Jerry Millen, Vadim the Fink and a woman translating for Fedor ducking any and all questions of substance. MMAHQ has a pretty intensive list of what went down, which is more than I could tolerate.
The only real news that came out of this call could have easily been gathered if you are an avid Twitter follower and have the EA SPORTS MMA account on your follow list. This post summed everything you’d need to know up;
First three fighters announced for EA SPORTS MMA are Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi and Babalu Sobral
Boom. Right there is all you need to know. There is talk of Fedor being on the cover, but until you see a mock-up, like everything else having to do with Mr. Emelianenko, don’t buy it. Other things to note is that Vadim and Co. are still not saying anything all that positive about a possible offer with the UFC. Vadim went on to say that the offer extended to them yesterday might of sold them two years ago, which of course is evasive. It does not answer the question of if Vadim will allow Fedor to fight in the UFC.
What this all comes down to is money and power. The reality is, Fedor is not in control right now. That is not to say that Fedor is not to blame for this, because he is an adult and chose his friends and business partners. But at a certain point, letting this slide over and over again will not work. Fans were once rallying agianst UFC for their awful contracts and all of their restrictions. Why can’t Fedor compete in Sambo? Why won’t you sign some knucklehead that trains with Fedor? Why why why? The truth is, Dana White and Co. have offered Fedor ample amounts of money both now and in the past, but Vadim on behalf of Fedor refuses. The idea of the “M-1 brand” is too precious.
If you read Zach Arnold’s FightOpinion site, you know 45 Huddle. If you know 45, you also know he can be a bit hard-headed and that your regular commenters usually don’t agree with him, but he makes an incredibly valid point here:
The tide has definitly turned big time. The UG, Sherdog, & Bloody Elbow are all bashing Fedor and M-1 right now. And almost nobody is defending Fedor, and absolutely nobody is defending Vadim. Even two weeks ago, there were many vocal supporters of Fedor on all of these websites. Not anymore. Vadim played this one very stupid. The press conference just hurt him with the very hardcore fans who made up Fedor’s core audience. A manager is suppose to do the best he can for a fighter, not knock him down a peg. Just shows where Vadim’s real interests are….
If we hear on Friday that the deal went through and we’ll see a ring post with a M-1 Global logo and Fedor smashing Brock, great, if not, something has to give. Nobody can doubt Fedor’s accomplishments and ability, but his sense as a businessman and choice in friends is going to bury him. Not even the most hardcore fan can support this sort of foolishness, and people who flat out hate Dana White will find themselves siding with Mr. Boxercise and firmly.
July 30th, 2009 at 3:35 am
Rumor is that UFC offered Fedor this contract:
A six-fight $30 million dollar contract, making him, by far, the highest paid MMA fighter in history
An immediate title shot against Brock Lesnar
A cut of the Lesnar/Emelianenko PPV on top of the already exorbitant purse
Authorization to wear as many M-1 Global logo’s as Fedor wished
Authorization for Fedor to compete in Combat Sambo tournaments
…which if true is insane that Vadim’s turned it down. Absolutely ridiculous.
August 1st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I have it on good authority that Fedor’s camp will not allow him to be on the cover of the game unless EA allows M-1 Global to co-promote the game.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I actually don’t share in the anger at Fedor, or really even his management.
Simply put, Fedor has already proven himself the best MMA fighter to ever put on a pair of gloves. It sounds like he’s more or less done with the sport, and only interested in helping build the M-1 brand. It’s cool that the UFC tried to make it work, they conceded a lot — but everyone knows they’ll never co-promote which is how that M-1 name would really benefit.
So, M-1 & UFC will never come to an agreement.
It’s disappointing we won’t see Fedor vs. Lesnar, but it’s not the end of the world either.
August 6th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
It’s all about Fedor now! check out what is happening now.
FEDOR SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE! M1 GLOBAL GIVES UFC THE FINGER!!
Huge MMA News today as Fedor Emelianenko signs w/ STRIKEFORCE!
This is a big turn of events as there has been a lot of speculation surrounding the collapse of the Affliction Trilogy Event. One question that was wide open was that of where Fedor would be fighting next. It’s well known that Fedor’s management team M1 Global has clashed in past negotiations with Dana White and the UFC.
After another lackluster offer from the UFC, M1 has made another clear statement by giving the UFC the ultimate bird and signing a contact for Fedor with STRIKEFORCE.
Check Out more here:?http://thedragonzone.com/site/fight-news/2009/fedor-signs-with-strikeforce-m1-global-gives-ufc-the-finger/
Dana Withe is None to pleased…
http://thedragonzone.com/site/fight-news/2009/dana-white-blasts-off-about-fedor-emelianenko-deal/