http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3280383 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Apy Echteld, one of Emelianenko's agents, confirmed what a source close to the situation previously told The Magazine: M-1 Global and Emelianenko will part ways some time in the next week, making the Russian a free agent. Divorce negotiations are ongoing right now, with a formal announcement likely for in the next few days. "Officially, yes, Fedor will be a free agent," Echteld says.</div> Its unlikely that Dana White and the UFC will start renegotiating with Fedor considering how far apart the were, but with EliteXC now having a television deal, the UFC might want to consider rethinking the hard line stance they took with Emelianenko.
I read an article saying that Dana would definitely start up negotiations again. Was he just saying that to feed the media some BS?
Easy way to make millions of dollars: 1. Sign Fedor to a one fight deal as a sign of good faith on both parts 2. Wait for randy to call 3. Negotiate fight to be broadcast on major network (fox appears to be front runner) 4. Own the world If the ufc does this they get the best fighter in the world, the restore relationship with randy, they absolutely destroy DREAM/Elite XC and all other potential competitors and shut up all the Dana/Zuffa haters. Seems like an easy decision
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Flush @ Mar 6 2008, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Easy way to make millions of dollars: 1. Sign Fedor to a one fight deal as a sign of good faith on both parts 2. Wait for randy to call 3. Negotiate fight to be broadcast on major network (fox appears to be front runner) 4. Own the world If the ufc does this they get the best fighter in the world, the restore relationship with randy, they absolutely destroy DREAM/Elite XC and all other potential competitors and shut up all the Dana/Zuffa haters. Seems like an easy decision</div> Then Fedor wins and gets offered a million dollars to go to EliteXC, and Randy is made to look like a paper champ. Its all or nothing with the UFC. Either Fedor signs a multi-fight contract under their terms (no competing for other promotions, no flooding UFC PPV's with Red Devil Sport Club guys, and possibly no sambo tournaments while competing/preparing for a fight) or they pretend he doesn't exist.
If UFC was smart they'd really think hard about signing him this time around. The whole EliteXC scenario has to concern them, especially with the television deal and the fact that they are aggressively looking to add major talent (with money to spend). We all know the Tito Ortiz talk and I'm sure Arlovski, Sylvia and others are looking their way and they'd be even more tempted if Fedor went there. It's obvious that if you don't at least negotiate to a type of middle ground with Fedor he won't sign, so Dana needs to just work with him and try to find common ground. EliteXC would have no problem with Fedor doing what he wants as long as he comes out and fights for them every couple of months. Imagine if Fedor signs with them and somehow Couture gets out of his deal....EliteXC could potentially have the matchup the world's been waiting for on National Television in the late summer/early fall. That would be a dream scenario for Elite and at this point, anything can happen.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speeds @ Mar 6 2008, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Then Fedor wins and gets offered a million dollars to go to EliteXC, and Randy is made to look like a paper champ. Its all or nothing with the UFC. Either Fedor signs a multi-fight contract under their terms (no competing for other promotions, no flooding UFC PPV's with Red Devil Sport Club guys, and possibly no sambo tournaments while competing/preparing for a fight) or they pretend he doesn't exist.</div> UFC has to re-evaluate their model. Elite XC and DREAM are both gaining significant momentum. This opportunity represents a chance to take away some of that momentum. UFC, obviously, needs to do what they can to ensure that Fedor doesn't end up with either organization. A one fight deal could potentially restore some of the god faith between all parties involved, which would ideally lead to further negotiations. Fedor is freed at the best possible time with regards to his own negotiations. 3 legit organizations (not including Cuban and HDNET, who is also likely to get involved) all vying for his rights. The UFC has no choice but to take a different approach.
from mmaweekly.com <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>FEDOR A FREE AGENT? NOT SO FAST On Thursday, new cracks appeared in M-1 Global’s façade. Apy Echteld, a co-manager of Fedor Emelianenko and development executive in the upstart promotion, confirmed to ESPN’s Ryan Hockensmith that the top-ranked fighter and M-1 would be separating next week. Emelianenko was M-1’s first talent acquisition when the consortium of Russian and American promoters came together in October of 2007. The report on ESPN.com also stated that both Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White and Echteld would be open to discussions concerning the possibility of having Emelianenko face UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture in the Octagon. M-1 President and CEO Monte Cox, however, was adamant that the Russian superstar is still a part of his promotion. “As of right now, M-1 Global and Fedor are still working together,” he told MMAWeekly.com. Cox declined to comment about the ESPN article, but said M-1’s plans were still underway for its first event on American soil, a June 14 card at the Sears Center in the Chicago area, still expected to feature Emelianenko. The show has been rescheduled from a May 3 date at the Allstate Arena, also in the Chicago area. M-1’s first venture with Emelianenko, a co-promotion with Fight Entertainment Group and other Japanese promoters on New Year’s Eve, was a success according to Cox. Since then, rumors of difficulties between the American and Russian factions of the partnership have persisted. “But as of now, Fedor still belongs to M-1 Global,” stated Cox.</div> we'll have to wait and see if this is a smokescreen or not. sounds like M-1 is crumbling before it got off the ground. Fedor may want to reconsider his stance with the UFC where he may get paid a little less, but at least he'll get paid. UFC has to reconsider too, Losing a fading Ortiz who is a draw but will have to fight and that's when he'll get exposed IMO and losing a gun shy AA isn't a huge deal IMO. Ditto losing Randy, his impact as a fighter has a max shelf life 1-2 years IMO. But signing Fedor, keeps Randy around, Probably keeps AA intrigued and definitely keeps Tim Sylvia in the UFC. but for right now, looks like we're waiting for it to happen. If I were a betting man though, Fedor will sign with Dreams get paid and not have to fight anyone of consequence save for Cro-Cop
