Fedor Emelianenko: 'I'm Not a UFC Fan'

[Rappy Veteran]

Pre-fight conference calls are generally quite routine affairs. They serve a purpose: getting quotes to reporters to pass on to the fans, but often it's a lot of words with little meaning. The fighter always has had "the best camp of my life," is in the "the best shape of his life," and has plans to win.

A few colorful characters sometimes stray from the script, but every once in a while you get something unexpected. Heavyweight MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko dropped one of those moments during Friday's Strikeforce call leading up to his fight with Fabricio Werdum on June 26. Asked by MMA Fighting why their fight was more relevant than the upcoming UFC heavyweight championship bout a week later, the usually soft-spoken Emelianenko explained that the two fights featured four world-class talents. Then, he let out a rare, pointed comment.

"I'm not a UFC fan," he said through his interpreter, Steve Bash.

After inviting fans to watch his fight, which takes place at the San Jose, Calif. HP Pavilion and airs on Showtime, Emelianenko later expounded upon his remarks.

"What I meant to say was, I'm not a fan of watching their fights," he said. "Compared to the commercials, the promotion and anticipation of their fights and the shows I've seen, there seems to be a negativity in a lot of their shows, so I'm just not a fan of watching their programs.

"In some ways how the fights are presented, and the manner that they're presented." he continued. "Also, in some ways, the actions and behavior of some of the fighters in the UFC. It takes away from the sport."

Emelianenko did not name any specific fighters or actions, instead choosing to speak in general terms. For what it's worth, both he and Werdum are considered two of the sport's classiest individuals.

Emelianenko, whose M-1 Global management team has flirted with the UFC in past negotiation talks, has two fights left on his current Strikeforce deal. He is 32-1 with one no contest in his career, a record that easily ranks among the best winning percentages in MMA history.

UFC President Dana White has repeatedly voiced an interest in signing the Russian powerhouse, but has continually voiced a frustration in dealing with M-1. Still, despite Emelianenko's pointed comments, White would likely take another crack at signing him if Strikeforce and Emelianenko do not reach a contract extension and he makes it back on the free-agent market.

Source

[Anibal P]

He has a point, just look all the goings on when say a Quentin Jackson or a Brock Lesnar and it's all like a WWE production

I'm just glad that most other fighters have a bit more class and haven't gone down that road yet

[Zoom7000]

Oh really? And the recent Strikeforce brawl is an everyday MMA occurrence? Get real Fedor! The UFC is hands down a much more professional entity than Strikeforce could possibly ever hope to be! An analogy here, is the success of WWE over TNA. The way team behind Strikeforce are going, it won't be much longer before they are in big trouble.

Frankly put, I think Fedor will soon enough become a laughing stock if he keeps dodging the top competition of the UFC and going for UFC rejects or no hopers in Strikeforce. I mean, turning down that last contract offer from the UFC was totally absurd! He's just using M-1 co-promotion as an excuse to avoid the best fighters IMO.

Seriously, if he was so damn good in PRIDE and granted he was, why is he dodging the UFC? Doesn't make sense, other than fear! :p

[TheElite]

He doesn't have to dodge the UFC.

What fighters are there that will match Fedor? Brock? Maybe. Carwin? I don't know. He's not going to sign with the UFC when not even they have that many comparable fighters.

[D. S. Veteran]

He doesn't have to dodge the UFC.

What fighters are there that will match Fedor? Brock? Maybe. Carwin? I don't know. He's not going to sign with the UFC when not even they have that many comparable fighters.

:shifty: I can think of more than a few that would give Fedor a run for his money. Who was the last guy that Fedor fought that would have a chance against the UFC heavyweight pool?

[Rappy Veteran]

He doesn't have to dodge the UFC.

What fighters are there that will match Fedor? Brock? Maybe. Carwin? I don't know. He's not going to sign with the UFC when not even they have that many comparable fighters.

Strikeforce maybe has 2 or 3...I would like to see him take Brock or Carwin it would be interesting to see. It's still a shame that we will never see Randy take of Fedor but such is life.

[name in use]

Just picked up Showtime and I am eagerly anticipating his fight. It's only a matter of time until Dana signs him, but then it might be too late.

[D. S. Veteran]

Just read that Strikeforce signed Dave Batista. Strikeforce: picking up the world champions the WWE left out in the cold :laugh:

[Rappy Veteran]

Just read that Strikeforce signed Dave Batista. Strikeforce: picking up the world champions the WWE left out in the cold :laugh:

:rofl: he could be a cool fighter if he wasn't as wooden as ****!

[SiCKX]

Seriously, if he was so damn good in PRIDE and granted he was, why is he dodging the UFC? Doesn't make sense, other than fear! :p

The ignorance towards the world of MMA in your post is astounding. How about instead of interpreting 1 line from Dana White to your liking (which he used to pressure M-1 Global), you read more about this, the terms of a UFC deal, about the business and its implications and then come back and spit your opinion again ? Vadim Finkelstein is the reason why Fedor isn't in the UFC.

The thought of Fedor "dodging" anyone is just plain silly. I am upset by him not signing, definitely want him to face Mir/Brock/Carwin to prove himself, but the idea of him dodging competition makes no sesne if you check his MMA career.

IMO he will have trouble handling those guys I mentioned before. It's unfortunate he didn't sign yet and for me he isn't that great until he fights the guys mentioned above. Strikeforce is the TNA of MMA... sadly M-1 Global management is too greedy and forbids us some great events.

Just read that Strikeforce signed Dave Batista. Strikeforce: picking up the world champions the WWE left out in the cold

Batista can't beat BJ Penn... hell he 'd prolly be KO'd in a bar fight. That's a silly rumor spawned by 12 yr olds or a bad joke.

[strotee]

Fedor is fighting someone who previously went to the UFC and got wrecked (by the 4th or 5th top HW in UFC)

I'm not very excited for this fight. Please Fedor step up to the plate and challenge yourself.

[D. S. Veteran]

The ignorance towards the world of MMA in your post is astounding. How about instead of interpreting 1 line from Dana White to your liking (which he used to pressure M-1 Global), you read more about this, the terms of a UFC deal, about the business and its implications and then come back and spit your opinion again ? Vadim Finkelstein is the reason why Fedor isn't in the UFC.

The thought of Fedor "dodging" anyone is just plain silly. I am upset by him not signing, definitely want him to face Mir/Brock/Carwin to prove himself, but the idea of him dodging competition makes no sesne if you check his MMA career.

IMO he will have trouble handling those guys I mentioned before. It's unfortunate he didn't sign yet and for me he isn't that great until he fights the guys mentioned above. Strikeforce is the TNA of MMA... sadly M-1 Global management is too greedy and forbids us some great events.

Batista can't beat BJ Penn... hell he 'd prolly be KO'd in a bar fight. That's a silly rumor spawned by 12 yr olds or a bad joke.

Batista was a former bar bouncer before the WWE. I'm sure he can handle himself. Fedor doesn't even need to duck the UFC, he's already ducking within his promotion by refusing to fight Overeem (who looked like a beast destroying Rogers) :laugh:

Fedor Emelianenko vs Roy Nelson! Make it happen :D

[TheElite]

:shifty: I can think of more than a few that would give Fedor a run for his money. Who was the last guy that Fedor fought that would have a chance against the UFC heavyweight pool?

His last few fights weren't with nobodies.

Brett Rogers could probably give Brock Lesnar a hell of a fight.

Batista was a former bar bouncer before the WWE. I'm sure he can handle himself. Fedor doesn't even need to duck the UFC, he's already ducking within his promotion by refusing to fight Overeem (who looked like a beast destroying Rogers) :laugh:

Source for "refusing"?

[Bubbabyte]

Frankly put, I think Fedor will soon enough become a laughing stock if he keeps dodging the top competition of the UFC and going for UFC rejects or no hopers in Strikeforce. I mean, turning down that last contract offer from the UFC was totally absurd! He's just using M-1 co-promotion as an excuse to avoid the best fighters IMO.

Alot of MMA sites are already making comments about him as such.. I dont really think he fears the fighters as much as he's built a reputation up with his undefeated record and doesn't want to tarnish it. I think fedor cares more about his legacy of being undefeated than beating top fighters imo. Sadly.

He doesn't have to dodge the UFC.

What fighters are there that will match Fedor? Brock? Maybe. Carwin? I don't know. He's not going to sign with the UFC when not even they have that many comparable fighters.

Seriously?

Brock Lesnar

Shane Carwin

Cain Velasquez

Junior Dos Santos

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Say what you want about Big Nog, but he's talented and he's a much better fighter than anyone fedor has fought.

Strikeforce maybe has 2 or 3...I would like to see him take Brock or Carwin it would be interesting to see. It's still a shame that we will never see Randy take of Fedor but such is life.

Yeah couture vs fedor would have been a good one. Strikeforce doesn't have much to offer honestly.. and i hate to quote dana, but he's got a huge point with his saying that strikeforce is a joke because where else could you get KO'd in your last fight and then get a title shot...lol ie Brett Rogers. I think rogers in a few years may be a force, but right now he's nothign more than a big guy. Oveream is who fedor needs to fight, he's the ONLY talent in the HW strikeforce division.

Fedor is fighting someone who previously went to the UFC and got wrecked (by the 4th or 5th top HW in UFC)

I'm not very excited for this fight. Please Fedor step up to the plate and challenge yourself.

Exactly. Werdum is a ****ing joke. I lost all respect for that guy when he fought brandon vera and there was a bad ref stoppage and vera lost. Vera asked him for a rematch and werdum said something like "you'll have to work your way back up"... he's such a joke.

His last few fights weren't with nobodies.

Brett Rogers could probably give Brock Lesnar a hell of a fight.

Rogers could not fight Lesnar, he would get steamrolled. Rogers couldn't beat anyone in the top 10 imo. I dont think he's a nobody, because as i said above i think he WILL be a force in years to come, but right now he's nothing more than a big guy with a little bit of standup.

I've given up on Fedor. I'm a huge MMA fan and a huge UFC fan, and although i give fedor his respect for having such a great record and giving some entertaining fights to watch, he's obviously all about his untarnished record rather than who he fights, he's got a huge fanbase who will stand by him as being the greatest ever regardless of what he does, so he really has no reason to want to go for bigger, because he's got the world in the palm of his hands right now as is. I don't think it's fear of fighters as much as it's fear of losing. Alot of MMA sites still have him as the top ranked HW and IMO as long as he's already on top there is no need to go higher, so until these MMA sites, MMA news etc start jumping on the "fedor NEEDS to fight better opponents" bandwagon, it's not going to change cause there is no reason to.