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[MMA] Fedor Parts Ways With M-1

By Rappy,
in The Sporting Arena

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Grand Master

Rappy Veteran

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Famed heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko will part ways with the M-1 Global organization next week and will officially become a "free agent," according to a report from ESPN.com.

"Divorce negotiations" are currently underway, according to the report, with a formal announcement of Emelianenko's exit from M-1 Global expected in the next few days.

Emelianenko, the reigning PRIDE heavyweight champion until the organization's eventual demise last year, signed with M-1 Global in October. A group of American investors purchased the organization from Emelianenko's manager, restructured it, and hired noted fighter agent Monte Cox as its CEO. However, the organization has yet to host its first event, nor has it announced any additional fighter signings.

With the reported free agency, a superfight between estranged UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture and Emelianenko could once again become a reality. Prior to signing with M-1 Global, Emelianenko turned down an offer to fight exclusively for the UFC, saying the contract was too restrictive.

Soon after, Couture announced his resignation from the UFC, citing the organization's inability to sign Emelianenko as a reason why.

It is unknown if Emelianenko's camp will be willing to revisit discussions with the UFC. However, the UFC is apparently ready. When UFC president Dana White was asked by ESPN.com if the organization would be willing to re-open negotiations to bring Emelianenko to the UFC, White responded with a big affirmative.

"Absolutely, 100 percent, in a heartbeat," he was quoted as saying. "People think he's the best; I don't, not even close. But if it's somehow possible, I would make it happen."

One other organization that may be interested in the heavyweight's services is EliteXC, which recently signed a groundbreaking deal with CBS. With the partnership, MMA will appear on major U.S. network television for the first time.

The 31-year-old Emelianenko, who held the PRIDE heavyweight belt for more than four years before the UFC owners purchased and disbanded the organization this past summer, is a career 27-1. Although he's defeated some of the top fighters in the sport -- including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Heath Herring -- he's fought few (if any) top-tier guys in recent years.

Sign him up UFC and then get Randy back and we have a legendary fight on our hands!

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G_0

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Can't wait to see what happens. From before though I hope White decides not to restrict him too much or he won't sign just like the last time. If Dana White can get him then I can see the problems with Couture maybe going away because that is the fight that Couture wants.

If it doesn't happen in UFC This year I will put money on it being announced for another organization by the end of 2008. If they wait any longer then that the fight will not carry the weight it should.

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Grand Master

Zoom7000

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Dammit Dana, this is your 2nd chance, don't screw it up again! Give the fans the fight they want. He keeps saying that Fedor hasn't fought anyone of any worth mentioning in his last few fights, well sign him up and 'feed' him to the big guys!

Potentials...

1. Randy (Duh!)

2. Lesnar (Let's see if Fedor can handle the power!)

3. Mir (This would be a very interesting submission battle)

4. Nogueira (The new top dog at HW in the UFC. If Fedor is successful, it'll happen soon enough)

5. Sylvia (Mercy Killing! For ignoring him when Fedor called him out at PRIDE) :D

6. Arlovski (This would be very interesting!)

There you go... That's some big name fights right there! Heck, even give him Chuck! Liddell would go to HW if Dana gave him Fedor IMO.

What will be interesting is if they do sign him, how will they play it. If he signs, I'm sure Randy will want to make a return of some sort. Presumably, they do a UFC/PRIDE HW Unification Fight - Randy vs. Fedor, and then the winner going on to a Undisputed Fight with Big Nog, at least that's how I think it would at least be entertaining and put some much needed fire into the dry HW division.

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ring0

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Potentials...

1. Randy (Duh!)

2. Lesnar (Let's see if Fedor can handle the power!)

3. Mir (This would be a very interesting submission battle)

4. Nogueira (The new top dog at HW in the UFC. If Fedor is successful, it'll happen soon enough)

5. Sylvia (Mercy Killing! For ignoring him when Fedor called him out at PRIDE) :D

6. Arlovski (This would be very interesting!)

1. makes sense, could be epic.

2. would last about 30 seconds.

3. on the ground, could be fun. on the feet, fedor would take his head off.

4. what? fedor needs to beat him down a 4th time? no thanks.

5. bigger guys are no problem.

6. arlovski is gunshy and scared, after the sylvia fights.

the only one i want to see is fedor vs. randy. after that, he can go back to wandering and fight for the highest bidder.

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Grand Master

Zoom7000

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1. makes sense, could be epic.

2. would last about 30 seconds.

3. on the ground, could be fun. on the feet, fedor would take his head off.

4. what? fedor needs to beat him down a 4th time? no thanks.

5. bigger guys are no problem.

6. arlovski is gunshy and scared, after the sylvia fights.

the only one i want to see is fedor vs. randy. after that, he can go back to wandering and fight for the highest bidder.

I admit I was the one of the biggest Lesnar critics ever before watching him explode on Mir. Given some more experience, I think he could definately stand toe-to-toe with some of the greatest in MMA.

As for Big Nog, I wasn't aware that Fedor had beaten him 3 times already, but if he does sign for the UFC, it is bound to happen for as long as Big Nog is champion or challenging for the title.

Arlovski may have been shaken by the Sylvia losses but he's had plenty of time to get over those, who knows, we'll just have to see.

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Grand Master

digipoi

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Arlovski may have been shaken by the Sylvia losses but he's had plenty of time to get over those, who knows, we'll just have to see.

Not too many fighters come back the same once they loose it.

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Grand Master

Rappy Veteran

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ProElite, Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, has offered former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko a four-fight contract that could put the famed Russian on the first two EliteXC-CBS shows.

The news was first reported by Nokaut.com, though MMAjunkie.com has learned some additional details about the deal.

Learn more about the seven-figure offer, which could include pay-per-view bonuses and a contract for his brother, Aleksander Emelianenko. Also learn why a report that Emelianenko never signed with M-1 Global might not be true.

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