M-1 Global, Fedor Emelianenkoā€™s longtime management company, set what now appears to be a soft deadline with Strikeforce and Showtime several weeks ago. The Russians claimed they would be willing to enter free agency after Emelianenkoā€™s next Strikeforce fight if they canā€™t iron out a contract extension.

The worldā€™s current/former heavyweight king had his unprecedented 27-fight win streak snapped by Fabricio Werdum this past June. The shocking upset not only cost Fedor his aura of invincibility, but also much of his power at the negotiating table.

M-1 have been trying to finalize a new deal for nearly a year to no avail. As the rumor mill continues to churn out proposed dates and opponents, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker keeps singing the same tune.

ā€œAs everybody knows we have a negotiation ongoing with M-1 right now, and I wish I had a simple answer, but itā€™s an ongoing negotiation,ā€ Coker told MMAWeekly.

Although it was assumed they were primarily speaking with Strikeforce, it appears Showtime has served as the Russianā€™s direct target. Itā€™s reported M-1 are insisting an extension include a new co-promotional agreement that would bring M-1 shows to the premium-cable channel. Itā€™s believed their pursuit of expanding their partnership has been a major sticking point.

ā€œI feel good about it, I feel good about the negotiations,ā€ Coker said of the never ending bargaining process with Team Fedor. ā€œWhether youā€™re dealing with Dream, or youā€™re dealing with M-1, or any foreign company thereā€™s always a translation issue, and thereā€™s always a cultural issue, and thereā€™s just a lot of barriers that will come.

ā€œWeā€™re trying to navigate through the waters and get a fair deal for everybody.ā€

Their journey has taken plenty of detours and encountered countless dead ends. However, the promoter was confident his meal ticket would be back in action before the NCAA Tournament rolls around.

ā€œFedor will be fighting, I want to say sometime in the first quarter of 2011. I believe thatā€™s when heā€™ll be fighting in the cage,ā€ Coker stated in closing.

The 34-year-old has fought only twice since putting Andrei Arlovski to sleep at ā€œAffliction: Day of Reckoningā€ in January 2009.