Fedor Emelianenko

Evening News and Notes: April 24, 2008

M-1 Global has announced the launching of a mixed martial arts-based reality show that will center around former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.

“Fighting Fedor” will involve sixteen heavyweights from all over the world traveling to Russia to live and train with the Red Devil Sport Club. The fighters will apparently compete against each other in a tournament-style format and the winner will have the chance to fight Emelianenko and pretty much face near-death in the process.

Additional details as well as the list of cast members is expected to be announced shortly.

DREAM Dropped by TBS; Picked up by HDNet?

DREAM live events have reportedly been dropped from the Tokyo Broadcasting System’s lineup due to lackluster ratings. The organization’s inaugural event only drew an 8.9 percent rating average in primetime, which is considered dismal by Japanese standards.

The network will air DREAM’s April 29th event on tape delay one week after the event takes place. It will be the last event the network airs. SkyPerfecTV pay-per-view will then assume duties of airing DREAM events for the future.

However what is Japan’s loss might be the United States’ gain according to our friends at MMARated.com, who report that tomorrow night’s episode of “Inside MMA” on HDNet will feature some interesting news regarding the FEG-owned promotion and the digital cable network.

Yvel-Overeem Scrapped

A bout between Dutch strikers Alistair Overeem and Gilbert Yvel scheduled to take place this Saturday at the K-1 European Grand Prix has been scrapped due to Yvel suffering a left calf injury during a recent training session. The fight was the only MMA bout slated to happen on the card, which will pan out at the Amsterdam Arena in the Netherlands.

“Last Thursday during a training session with Mirko Cro Cop, I suffered an injury which was diagnosed as torn muscle fiber in the hospital,” Yvel explained Thursday at a news conference according to Sherdog.com. “Even after two days of absolute rest and with lots of ice on the leg, I was barely able to stand on my left foot.”

It is unknown if a replacement opponent will be found in time for Overeem.

Cole Replaces Goodridge at “Anger Management”

IFL veteran Wayne Cole will replace an injured Gary Goodridge against heavyweight Eric Pele at the Maximum Fighting Championship’s upcoming “Anger Management” show on May 9th according to The Fight Network.

Goodridge was forced to pull out of the main event bout due to a recently suffered back injury. Goodridge suffered the injury during a recent training session and will be required to undergo surgery to repair the the sciatic nerve in his lower back.

Fedor: “My Fight With Sylvia is Official”

In a heavyweight showdown years in the making, former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko will officially take on former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in the main event of an Affliction Clothing-promoted show at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on July 19th.

Emelianenko confirmed the bout through a message on his official website, in which he also revealed that he intends to compete at separate events in October and December, the latter likely being with a Japanese organization on New Year’s Eve according to MMA Weekly.

Emelianenko was recently granted his official release from his contractual obligations to M-1 Global, of which he signed a letter of intent to compete inside the confines of the promotion late last year.

The native Russian’s decision to work with Affliction officials now likely means that the potential of him signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship or Elite Xtreme Combat will be put on hold, at least for the near future. MMA fans will delight in the fact that Sylvia will be Fedor’s first highly-ranked opponent in close to three years.

Sylvia recently left his long-time home of the UFC in favor of inking a multi-fight deal with manager Monte Cox’s recently created Adrenaline MMA organization. The contract is non-exclusive and will permit Sylvia to fight in other organizations.

The Miletich Fighting Systems product’s parting ways with the UFC, the organization in which he fought exclusively in since 2002, was mutual on both sides according to Sylvia, who still had one fight remaining on his current contract with the promotion. However Sylvia has maintained that he would like to return to the UFC to finish out his career.

Sylvia is coming off of his second straight loss in yet another bid to regain his heavyweight title. He was submitted by interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81: Breaking Point in February. 

Repeating History

With Fedor Emelianenko’s summer showdown with Tim Sylvia hopefully all but set in stone, it’s refreshing to see the popular Russian taking on an opponent that is highly ranked in the eyes of just about everyone.

Emelianenko’s last true challenge came against Mirko Filipovic in PRIDE almost three years ago (or against Mark Hunt if you had him ranked high enough) and MMA media and fans alike have spouted constant criticism ever since.

The Fedor-Sylvia matchup brings along with it many potential positives. Along with the fact that one of mixed martial arts’ hypothetical dream bouts is about to be signed, sealed, and delivered, fans longing for a promotion to become a viable alternative to the two Zuffa-owned organizations may finally have a prospect in Affliction Clothing and those working with them.

The rumored roster alone gives them at least an outside chance.

However the appearance of initial success also has the possibility of ending badly for some, possibly for all who were irked at the situation surrounding the world’s top heavyweight. Is it possible that Fedor’s next fight could cause history to repeat itself?

Continue reading "Repeating History"

Report: Fedor-Sylvia Set for July Showdown

Update 7:35 PM ET: MMA Weekly is reporting through sources close to Tim Sylvia’s camp that Sylvia has verbally agreed to the fight but nothing has been signed as of yet.

In a heavyweight showdown years in the making, former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko will reportedly take on former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in the main event of a potential Affliction Clothing-promoted show at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas.

The news comes from Sherdog.com, which confirmed the bout with Emelianenko himself earlier today via telephone.

“Sylvia is a good fighter, a strong fighter, the former UFC heavyweight champion, which is important,” Emelianenko said. “I am looking forward to fighting him and training hard for this fight.”

Sources close to the fight have said that the event will likely be aired on HDNet.

Emelianenko was recently granted his official release from his contractual obligations to M-1 Global, of which he signed a letter of intent to compete inside the confines of the promotion late last year.

The native Russian’s decision to work with Affliction officials now likely means that the potential of him signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship or Elite Xtreme Combat will be put on hold, at least for the near future. MMA fans will delight in the fact that Sylvia will be Fedor’s first highly-ranked opponent in close to three years.

Sylvia recently left his long-time home of the UFC in favor of inking a multi-fight deal with manager Monte Cox’s recently created Adrenaline MMA organization. The contract is non-exclusive and will permit Sylvia to fight in other organizations.

The Miletich Fighting Systems product’s parting ways with the UFC, the organization in which he fought exclusively in since 2002, was mutual on both sides according to Sylvia, who still had one fight remaining on his current contract with the promotion. However Sylvia has maintained that he would like to return to the UFC to finish out his career.

Sylvia is coming off of his second straight loss in yet another bid to regain his heavyweight title. He was submitted by interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81: Breaking Point in February. 

M-1 Global, Fedor Agree to Release

NEW YORK - M-1 Global announced today a mutual agreement with Vadim Finkelchtein, manager of former PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko, to release the heavyweight from his contractual obligations.

“"There is so much going on in the world of mixed martial arts right now that we have decided it is in our best interest if our company and Fedor go our separate ways”,” said M-1 Global President and CEO Monte Cox.

“"During the past six months the landscape of MMA, especially in the U.S., has dramatically changed,” Cox said. “The sport continues to gain mainstream acceptance and we believe we will be in a better position to capitalize on these new opportunities with this agreement.””

“Because Finkelchtein already uses the ‘M-1’ name in Russia and Europe, we have mutually decided to avoid any confusion between our two organizations. Shortly, M-1 Global will announce a new name for its operations and its first event.” Fedor is a tremendous fighter and a great person… we wish him only the best in his future endeavors”,” Cox said.

“"We appreciate the support that Monte and the M-1 Global team have given Fedor”,” Finkelchtein said. “We wish M-1 Global great success and hope to work with them sometime in the future.””

Report: EliteXC Offers Fedor Four-Fight Deal

Elite Xtreme Combat has reportedly offered former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko a four-fight contract.

The news comes from a report by Nokaut.com and has since been confirmed by our friends at MMA Junkie.

The deal would apparently involve Emelianenko receiving at least somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000 per fight, not including pay-per-view revenue and other potential future bonuses. The contract would also run through the fall of 2009 and would have the Russian’s first two fights air live on CBS.

Fedor’s younger brother Aleksander would also be offered a deal with EliteXC, as well as other select members of the Red Devil Fight Team that the two train out of.

A source close to Emelianenko and M-1 Global recently informed Sherdog.com that an actual deal was never signed between Emelianenko and the organization that announced plans to begin holding worldwide events under new ownership late last year but still has yet to do so.

The source also went on to say that the return of a $1.5 million signing bonus Emelianenko received as part of sending a letter of intent to compete inside the confines of the promotion would likely pave the way for the former PRIDE heavyweight champion to offically become a free agent. M-1 Global officials have since refuted the report.

The prospects of a fight between Randy Couture and Emelianenko happening under the EliteXC banner would be absolutely huge for the promotion. The chances of it happening also increased recently when Couture stated in a recent interview that he didn’t have a preference where the fight took place, as long as it didn’t take place in the UFC.

Among the many organizations lining up to bid for the Russian’s services, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Emelianenko’s management team have both confirmed that they are interested in speaking with each other once again in hopes of striking a deal.

While negotiations between the two sides ended badly last time around, one has to assume that Emelianenko may be looking for a solid home after his dilemma with M-1 Global. At least the UFC has some competition this time around.

Interesting Wait: Shaw Talks Couture-Fedor

Among those fielding answers on Tuesday’s conference call for next weekend’s Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce co-promoted “Shamrock vs Cung Le” event included EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw.

When it comes to the drama involving Randy Couture and his desire to fight the world’s top heavyweight in Fedor Emelianenko, Shaw has been relatively conservative in his answers. With the Ultimate Fighting Championship handing lawsuits out like candy these days, it’s no surprise.

Neither was Shaw’s answer when asked why his name and promotion were not being linked to rumors about a potential home for a showdown between the two legends of the sport by Chris Fries of The Lights Out Show, a member of the TAGG Radio network.

“I won’t do anything until Randy Couture is absolutely out of his contract with the UFC,” Shaw said. “Everybody knows me and my reputation. I do not tortuously interfere with anybody’s contract with any fighter. I respect the fighter, I respect the contract, and believe it or not, I respect the UFC. I don’t deny that I have had talks with Fedor, but I have not approached Couture and I can’t approach Randy until I know he is out of everything with the UFC.”

However pretending that all of the smoke had cleared and both fighters were free men, Shaw’s answer to playing host to a fight between the two was loud and clear.

“I would sign it in less than a heartbeat,” said Shaw.

The prospects of a fight between Couture and Emelianenko happening under the EliteXC banner would be absolutely huge for the promotion. The chances of it happening also increased recently when Couture stated in a recent interview that he didn’t have a preference where the fight took place, as long as it didn’t take place in the UFC.

“I don’t care where it happens as long as it doesn’t happen in the UFC,” Couture said in the interview. “Outside of that, I don’t care where it happens as long as it does happen.”

Among the many organizations lining up to bid for the Russian’s services, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Emelianenko’s management team have both confirmed that they are interested in speaking with each other once again in hopes of striking a deal.

While negotiations between the two sides ended badly last time around, one has to assume that Emelianenko may be looking for a solid home after his dilemma with M-1 Global. EliteXC officials will be praying that he doesn’t choose the house of Dana White and company.

The Lights Out Show is part of the TAGG Radio Network and is hosted by Chris Fries and The JDH. Be sure to visit TAGGRadio.com, TheLightsOutShow.com or iTunes to be able to listen to their most recent show as well as past shows in the archives. The Lights Out Show airs live every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 8 PM ET exclusively on TAGGRadio.com.

Report: Fedor Never Under Contract With M-1

As if all the drama involving Fedor Emelianenko and M-1 Global wasn’t already mind-boggling enough, a contract that reportedly never even existed between the two might do it for you.

A source close to both sides has come out and revealed to Sherdog that an actual deal was actually never signed between Emelianenko and the organization that announced plans to begin holding worldwide events under new ownership late last year but still has yet to do so.

The source also went on to say that the return of a $1.5 million signing bonus Emelianenko received as part of sending a letter of intent to compete inside the confines of the organization will likely pave the way for the former PRIDE heavyweight champion to offically become a free agent.

Apy Echteld, one of Emelianenko’s agents, revealed earlier this month that his client would become a free agent after his current contract with M-1 Global ran out. So was there or was there not a deal set in stone? We may never know.

Fans craving a showdown between Emelianenko and Randy Couture will be ecstatic to know that among the many organizations lining up to bid for the Russian’s services, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Emelianenko’s management team have both confirmed that they are interested in speaking with each other once again in hopes of striking a deal.

However it should also be known that Couture, who was once said he would return to the UFC provided the promotion was able to sign Emelianenko, has now changed his tone.

When asked if he cared where a potential fight against Emelianenko would take place in a recent interview with M-1 MixFight, Couture stated that he didn’t have a preference, as long as it didn’t take place in the UFC.

“I don’t care where it happens as long as it doesn’t happen in the UFC,” Couture said in the interview. “Outside of that, I don’t care where it happens as long as it does happen.”

Hunt to Make DREAM Debut in May

Former PRIDE heavyweight contender Mark Hunt, who has not fought since being submitted by Fedor Emelianenko on New Year’s Eve 2006, has revealed that he will be returning to active competition in mixed martial arts this May.

The news comes from Rogue Magazine, who recently sat down for an interview with the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix champion.

According to Hunt, he will be fighting inside the confines of DREAM after taking on Semmy Schilt in a K-1 bout at the organization’s world grand prix in April.

‘My contract with K-1 only has one kickboxing match, the rest of my fights will be under MMA rules,” Hunt said in the interview. K-1 and DREAM are partners so my fights will fall under the new promotion. It’s good, suits me fine. I didn’t really want to fight K-1 since I’ve already won the title but I’m always up for a challenge.”

So are there any potential opponents for Hunt? Interestingly enough, he seemed to beat around the bush when Fedor was put into the equation.

“A fight against Fedor Emelianenko is another fight that will happen in the near future,” Hunt said. “That’s it for the moment though, I can’t say anymore about it.”

After nearly five years as a professional kickboxer, Hunt bursted onto the MMA scene in 2004 and quickly shocked the world with consecutive upsets over Wanderlei Silva and Mirko Cro Cop. Since then the New Zealand native has split his last four fights and has been concentrating on his part-time pro wrestling career during his time off since the demise of PRIDE.

Touch of gloves to MMA Man Japan for the find.

Fedor to Become Free Agent, UFC Interested?

It seems that the world’s top heavyweight’s relationship with M-1 Global will be over just about as soon as it started.

In a recent interview with ESPN the Magazine‘s Ryan Hockensmith, one of Fedor Emelianenko’s agents, Apy Echteld, has revealed that his client is set to become a free agent later this week after his current contract with M-1 Global runs out.

“Officially, yes, Fedor will be a free agent,” Echteld said in the report. Echteld also pointed out that a formal announcement from the organization will be released in the coming days.

However even more interesting than this is the fact that the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Emelianenko’s management team have both confirmed that they are interested in speaking with each other once again in hopes of striking a deal.

When asked if he would ever attempt to sign Fedor again, UFC President Dana White reportedly quickly said yes.

“Absolutely, 100 percent, in a heartbeat,” said White. “People think he’s the best, I don’t, not even close. But if it’s somehow possible, I would make it happen.”

“We’re open to a discussion,” Echteld confirmed with ESPN. “If everybody is willing to put a little wine in the water, then we have something to work with. There is space for this to happen.”

Now the big question: If this story is true and if the UFC is somehow able to sign Fedor, will Randy Couture come back even after all of the crap he has gone through in the last five months?

Touch of gloves to Five Ounces of Pain for the find.