Vadim Finkelchtein, M-1 Global shot caller and Fedor Emelianenko’s manager, appears to know exactly what his client’s future entails. With a Strikeforce extension reportedly on the horizon (more on that in a moment), it appears the Russians have slammed the door on MMA’s ultimate showdown.
“Of course, this is Brock Lesnar,” Finkelchtein told Championat.Ru’s Konstantin Ustjantzev (translated by LowKick.com) of their second most coveted match-up. “But this fight will never happen. UFC President Dana White will always delay the fight between Fedor and Lesnar, finding more and more excuses. They offered us a one-sided contract, under which all rights for Fedor will belong to the UFC.
“Of course, this turn of events did not suit us. So we tried to compromise by offering to organize a joint show, and you know how it ended. Now this fight can be only dream.”
While a Fedor vs. Lesnar blockbuster bout appears destined to remain in fantasy land, a mulligan with upset specialist Fabricio Werdum is a must. Unfortunately for the Fedor, an elbow injury will have the jiu jitsu specialist on the shelf until 2011. So they will be forced to wait on trying to avenge one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.
No worries. The Emelianenko Express marches on, as they have multiple scenarios in their back pocket to mull over.
“We plan to organize an interim fight for Fedor. We are considering two options, Japan and Russia. We have a lucrative offer from the Japanese partners, who are interested in Fedor fighting on the New Year’s Eve. This is the most interesting option for us,” Finkelchtein stated. “But we are also not excluding an option that Fedor Emelianenko will fight in Russia sometime in December. We have to organize another fight for Fedor, as Fabricio Werdum is currently injured and no one knows when he will come back. Strikeforce have absolutely nothing against the rematch, that’s exactly why we are planning the last fight on Fedor’s contract to be against Werdum.”
LAST fight?
It’s no secret Emelianenko has one scrap remaining on his current Strikeforce deal. However, M-1 Global director of operations Evgeni Kogan claimed two weeks ago they were “two-thirds” of the way complete with a contract extension to remain with their stateside partners.
While Kogan spoke as though it was a done deal, Finkelchtein appears to be listening to any and all offers.
“There are some proposals, but I’ll say it again, we are ready to organize co-promotion with any organization that is ready to meet our demands,” Finkelchtein added. “We have repeatedly expressed our desire to organize a joint show, even with the UFC, but all in vain. We are ready to fight with the strongest.”
All this chatter may be for naught, as Octagon president Dana White claims to have jumped off Fedor’s bandwagon following his loss to Werdum. In fact, he has gone from “obsessed” to “not interested” in the blink of an eye.
