ßķäåźń.Ģåņščźą M-1: Fans Want Fedor-Werdum 2
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07.06.2010

M-1: Fans Want Fedor-Werdum 2

M-1 Global will a pursue a rematch between its top client, Fedor Emelianenko, and Fabricio Werdum when the management team meets with its co-promotional partner Strikeforce in the coming weeks to discuss a contract extension.

Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for the Holland-based organization, said that M-1 Global hopes to co-promote the rematch with Strikeforce before the year’s end. Werdum submitted Emelianenko with a triangle choke-armbar combination at the two promotions’ second co-branded event on June 26 in San Jose, Calif.

ā€œFor us, it makes the most sense for us to do the Werdum fight because it seems like that’s the fight that all the fans want,ā€ Kogan told Sherdog.com on Tuesday. ā€œIn Russia, 85 percent of the respondents (to a recent poll) -- and that’s thousands of people –--are saying that that’s the fight they want.ā€

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker told the Sherdog Radio Network’s ā€œBeatdownā€ show last week that a bout between the 33-year-old Russian fighter and heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem was still a possibility, despite Emelianenko’s first loss in nearly 10 years.

ā€œOnce we sit down and negotiate with Strikeforce and Showtime, the next opponent will become clear in a reasonable short period of time,ā€ said Kogan.

Kogan said that Emelianenko is taking a brief vacation with his family before resuming his training.

ā€œOut of everyone following the fight, (Fedor) was the most OK,ā€ said Kogan of Emelianenko’s mindset. ā€œTo him, I can assume it was disappointing, but everyone else seemed much more upset than he was.ā€

Like in early 2010, Emelianenko’s return to the Strikeforce cage will depend on upcoming discussions. Following their first co-promoted venture in November 2009, M-1 Global engaged in renegotiations with Strikeforce to revise the three-event contract both had signed that prior August.

The two outlets came to a new agreement in May, and Kogan said that since then, relations between M-1 and Strikeforce have never been better. Kogan added that Showtime’s inclusion in negotiations has paved an easier path for all. The premium-pay cable network is the U.S. broadcast partner for Strikeforce.

Kogan said M-1 Global is receptive to the next round of negotiations with Strikeforce, which could lead to the entities enacting extensions in their already existing contract for additional co-promoted events featuring Emelianenko. As it stands, Emelianenko will fight once more under the current co-promotional agreement.

ā€œWe are open to every eventuality,ā€ said Kogan. ā€œWe enjoyed working with Showtime and Strikeforce together. This was, in our opinion, a good co-promoted event. We’re happy with the way it went and we will consider all options. No path is closed to us.ā€

UFC President Dana White was among Emelianenko’s more vocal suitors last year when the coveted former Pride FC champion briefly became a free agent following the collapse of Affliction Entertainment and the cancellation of its Aug. 1 event. Even after Emelianenko turned down a multi-fight, seven-figure exclusive deal with the UFC and went instead with Strikeforce, White still vowed to sign the fighter with a 26-fight win streak.

White said last week that the UFC has ā€œzero interestā€ in signing Emelianenko now that his unmatchable streak has been snapped. Emelianenko’s storied career includes victories over greats like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Mirko ā€œCro Copā€ Filipovic, as well as an assortment of former UFC champions and contenders.

Kogan had no comment for White’s recent remarks. He confirmed that M-1 Global doesn’t have the legal flexibility to negotiate with other promotions at this time and said, ā€œNor do we want to.ā€

ā€œFollowing June 26, we have unfinished business,ā€ said Kogan. ā€œWe’d like to deal with the loss. We don’t want to negotiate with others. We’re happy with our partners.ā€

Fedor source: http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/M-1-Fans-Want-Fedor-Werdum-2-25512

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