Fedor signs multifight MMA deal with Strikeforce

**Stardust** · 08-03-2009, 02:31 PM

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/fedor-s...NHeadlines

Fedor Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight agreement that will see the worldâs No. 1-ranked heavyweight compete for Strikeforce, the promotion announced Monday.

Emelianenko, who became a free agent after Affliction Entertainment canceled its Aug. 1 event two weeks ago, will make his debut on Showtime under a co-promoted Strikeforce/M-1 Global production this fall. Emelianenko was to have faced Josh Barnett at Affliction âTrilogyâ on Aug. 1, but Barnett failed a pre-fight test for anabolic steroids and was refused licensure by the California State Athletic Commission.

**Stardust** · 08-03-2009, 02:36 PM

So, we will not see a fight with Brock anytime soon. Two questions to the MMA brethren:

1. With no Fedor, who becomes a "big" fight for UFC against Brock? Is there a big name in the wings that would make people buy the next fight with Brock?

2. Does Fedor's signing with Strikeforce make them a legitimate competitor to UFC? Can Strikeforce leverage this into a situation that allows them to now compete for PPV buys, or even puts them into a position to have UFC pay a huge sum of money to buy the Strikeforce promotion?

**Amun-Ra** · 08-03-2009, 07:58 PM

Stardust Wrote:So, we will not see a fight with Brock anytime soon. Two questions to the MMA brethren:

1. With no Fedor, who becomes a "big" fight for UFC against Brock? Is there a big name in the wings that would make people buy the next fight with Brock?

2. Does Fedor's signing with Strikeforce make them a legitimate competitor to UFC? Can Strikeforce leverage this into a situation that allows them to now compete for PPV buys, or even puts them into a position to have UFC pay a huge sum of money to buy the Strikeforce promotion?

Strikeforce is still not competition for the UFC. Like Tito Ortiz said the UFC has over 90% of the world's toughest fighters. Who is Fedor gonna fight in these other leagues? Right now Fedor would be in the UFC had it not been for his manager who wanted 50% of the UFC in order to let Fedor fight there. He wanted UFC to combine with his M-1 Global, which has considerably less value than the UFC. That is absolutely crazy. Also if Fedor really wanted to fight in the UFC he could have stopped his manager from making such a demand. Dana White of the UFC was giving Fedor all he wanted. More money, more fights, he would be able to wear M-1 Global apparel in his fights.

Strikeforce will fail. Give it time.

**TidesHoss32** · 08-03-2009, 08:57 PM

I was JUST NOW getting ready to post this..Dana is right, Fedor dont want any part of the UFC..He wants to run his record up against nobodies in other promotions (Tim Sylvia is a nobody)...Ive seen Fedor fight several times, and yeah he's a bad man, but as a fight fan, maybe this is my emotions speaking, but this is chicken s---. Dana is right, Fedor is a f'ing joke.

**TidesHoss32** · 08-03-2009, 08:59 PM

And for the record, I would NOT say any of that to Fedor's face Big Grin

.

**PC_You_Know** · 08-03-2009, 09:11 PM

Fedor is an idiot for doing this. Should have not allowed this to happen. He could have had anything he wanted in the UFC had he just gotten that arrogant manager off his back.

**C.Clair** · 08-03-2009, 10:04 PM

Strikeforce will be another Affliction. IMO, Fedor will fight the three fights on the contract and then will retire. His contract with M-1 also has three fights and the fights with Strikeforce will count I suppose. But after that I dont see why the UFC couldnt sign him then, but he will be three years older, and who knows, MMA is crazy, someone could come along and knock him out cold.

***Wildcatk23*** · 08-03-2009, 11:04 PM

TidesHoss32 Wrote:And for the record, I would NOT say any of that to Fedor's face .

:Thumbs::Thumbs::Thumbs::Thumbs:

**Amun-Ra** · 08-04-2009, 01:26 AM

His contract wil M-1 will never run out. His manager is the president of that organization. So where Fedor goes, M-1 goes too.

Jimmy Dugan · 08-04-2009, 04:13 AM

TidesHoss32 Wrote:And for the record, I would NOT say any of that to Fedor's face .

that one got me laughing :thatsfunn

**Stardust** · 08-04-2009, 09:47 AM

What do you think about Strikeforce using this to position themselves for a sale???

**C.Clair** · 08-04-2009, 03:03 PM

If Strikeforce was to sell out, Im not sure that the fighters contracts would be sold also, they could be, but the fighters could also become free agents.

NEXT · 08-04-2009, 05:16 PM

1 - the Strikeforce deal is no were, and I mean no where near what the UFC's $30 million offer. More like $3 million with M-1 paying half.

2 - This opens Strikeforce up to the M-1 roster, which is not even close to the UFC's, but allows them to grow internationally and get some PPV's.

3 - Fedor is not in control. Rumors have swirled since PRIDE was caught dealing with the Yakuza, that Fedor is controlled by the Russain MOB, I think what has happened wih the UFC this time proves that and proves what many have said, that Vadim Finkelstein is a high ranking memebr of that organization.

Last but not least Strikeforce isn't in as bad as shape in the HW division as many think.http://www.sherdog.com/news/blog/three-f...-gap-18893

**BlackcatAlum** · 08-04-2009, 06:45 PM

The guy's around Fedor is whats costing him. Those M-1 guys think that they own him and fill Fedor's head full of bull****. I've seen it in Youtube videos and in Fedor's recent M-1 press conference.

I've watched Strikeforce before and they have some really good names in their events usually. The knockout of Arvloski by Brett Rogers was awesome! A fight between Brett Rogers & Fedor would be about the biggest fight Strikeforce could come up with IMO though.

**Stardust** · 08-04-2009, 09:53 PM

BlackcatAlum Wrote:The guy's around Fedor is whats costing him. Those M-1 guys think that they own him and fill Fedor's head full of bull****. I've seen it in Youtube videos and in Fedor's recent M-1 press conference.

I've watched Strikeforce before and they have some really good names in their events usually. The knockout of Arvloski by Brett Rogers was awesome! A fight between Brett Rogers & Fedor would be about the biggest fight Strikeforce could come up with IMO though.

Good post:Thumbs:

**Belfry0304** · 08-06-2009, 06:20 PM

How about I put this like it is...

Fedor craps himself at the thought of being locked in a cage with Brock Lesnar. The dude is literally an animal. Is there anyone in the UFC capable of even hanging with him?

Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez are just about the only hopes. From there, I don't think anyone can beat him if those two. That's not including Fedor. Fedor knows he's the top pound for pound fighter in the world. Fedor knows people want him in the cage with Brock. He also knows Brock's ridiculous. He's scared to put that record up against the scariest man the UFC has ever seen.

For the record, I hate Brock Lesnar. I'm a huge Georges St. Pierre and Tito Ortiz fan - so this isn't biased.