UFC Rejects M-1 Offer for Couture-Emelianenko

Dec 20, 2007 8:20 AM John Chandler

The UFC has apparently turned down an offer from M-1 Global to do a cross-promotional fight between UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko.

The news comes from Steve Sievert of The Houston Chronicle who has a direct quote from Couture himself:

“We got an official offer from M-1 to the UFC to do a co-promotion for the Couture-Emelianenko fight, and they (UFC) rejected that offer. Really, the only thing standing in the way for that fight right now is Dana and the UFC. Obviously, M-1 is happy to do a co-promotion like that. It only serves to help them. I think the UFC is looking at it the other way, and it’s like why do we want to help out another organization? The fans want to see that fight. At some point, you have to put that first.”

It kind of depends when exactly this offer was made. If it was made during the period of time where Couture and the UFC were at each other’s throats, I can certainly see why Dana White and company would throw the offer aside. No matter what happens, I’m sure we’ll see this fight eventually.

Fedor Emelianenko • Randy Couture • M 1 • UFC • Heavyweight

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Comments:

1. Craig O
from sacto, ca
Dec 20, 2007 6:16 PM

Dana won’t take a deal that’s not in the best intrest of the ufc, but i hope the do this. one offer means there should some re-offers ect going on and maybe, just maybe we get a decent heavyweight fight.

2. Marty
from canada
Dec 20, 2007 8:33 PM

Why would Dana do this, of course he would say no based on M1 being in the spotlight, and once Fedor destroys Randy people will be like, wow, what’s this M1 league, and who’s this Fedor beast…Yes, hardcore fans want to see this fight, but from a business perspective, it doesn’t make sense for Dana and the UFC…

3. GRMD61
from midwest
Dec 21, 2007 5:05 PM

Dear Santa, Please ask Dana White to honor Randy’s Christmas wish for a fight with Fedor—remind him that we are all getting older, and the UFC should give its fans a great present for the new year.

4. John Chandler
from Philadelphia, PA
Dec 21, 2007 5:35 PM

From a business perspective it doesn’t really make any sense for the UFC. Dana White has gone on record from saying that he wanted Fedor badly and then changed his mind and said that Fedor wasn’t even a top ten heavyweight. I think that not signing Fedor is going to work out great for the UFC but that’s just my opinion.

However the fan side of me wants nothing more then for the UFC to give in and grant Randy his wish.