It wouldn't be a surprise if Finkel and M1 screw over another org it seems they are not happy unless they **** every penny out of their "partners" http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/2/26/1328651/fedor-emelianenko-and-m-1-globalby This content is protected on This content is protected in This content is protected This content is protected 84 comments This content is protected View full size photo ยป It's no secret that the world's USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings' #1 heavyweight and his management team M-1 Global can be a handful to deal with. Yesterday we heard This content is protected . Then we heard that he This content is protected This content is protected . Now we're hearing that This content is protected . Fedor and his management team clearly believe they didn't get paid enough for Fedor's first CBS event for Strikeforce. They also have utter confidence that Fedor's value in the market place is rising. They're missing a huge bird in the hand payday -- and more importantly missing out on the incredible US market exposure that CBS can provide. Then there's the question of how long will Fedor's fighting prime last? He coasted through his last couple of years in PRIDE fighting freak show fights like Zuluzinho and Hong Man Choi, a past his prime Mark Coleman, and an undersized Matt Lindland. In 2008 and 2009 he was unusually productive, fighting and dispatching two former UFC champs in Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski and a fast-rising Brett Rogers. Now it appears as if he's going to be slowing his pace of fighting again. Strikeforce is now forced to headline a CBS card with proven ratings disaster Jake Shields and a hot Dan Henderson who's coming off the most dramatic KO win of 2009. Henderson would be a solid headliner against a more compelling opponent, but even coming off his UFC 100 glory and coaching TUF, he's not enough to carry a network card. And if "Decision Dan" shows up instead of "Hollywood" Henderson, look out, we may see a headliner that loses viewers as it drags on for five rounds of lay and pray. But not having Fedor to headline the card really hurts Strikeforce. That promotion is desperate for headliners with Gina Carano, Cung Le and Frank Shamrock all having been damaged by recent losses. Fedor and M-1 may be killing their "promotional partner" by leaving them with no ratings draw for the April CBS card. They must be thinking that there will be another CBS card or equally well-paying opportunity. Or maybe they're negotiating with someone else. And there's really only one other entity that can put together a bigger fight than DREAM in March, CBS in April or Showtime in May. And that's an entity that could offer a title fight on PPV in June or July against the biggest draw in the sport. 0 recs This content is protected This content is protected 84 comments This content is protected This content is protected </SPAN> This content is protected Share This content is protected
I would love to see the actual contract between Fedor/M1 and Strikeforce. Strikeforce only have themselfs to blame, they need to come out and comment on the situation.
The problem is the exposure of the product he is trying to pitch. Fedor is the best in the business, but the mainstream is unaware of his presence. Don King got into the big time by getting Ali to work with him on some of his promotions. King has also worked with Chavez and Tyson. These are huge names. Fedor's accomplishments in his sport should put his status of achievement on the level of athletes like Woods, Jordan, or Ali in their respective fields. Fedor needs the CBS exposure so the masses will know the value of M1's commodity. At the moment, sadly enough, Forrest Griffin could probably outsell Fedor.
coker prob knew the risks of dealing withh M1 but thought that's the chance he had to take. now Fedor appears to be back in limbo as Finkel tries to bleed Strikeforce of every last drop.
Why shouldn't Fedor go where the money and contract best suits HIM? Do you guys really think that Strikeforce or the UFC or anyother promotion REALLY cares about the fighters. Fedor SHOULD be doing everything he can to make out on top of every situation he is in. Plus Overeem ain't no punk. Its not like he wants to go to Dream to fight some freakshow guy for $1000. Fedor is a businessman and his business is HIMSELF.
Is this about Fedor or Finkel though? finkel puts his pockets ahead of Fedors best interests it seems. Finkel lured Fedor in perfectly by making him 20% owner of M1. That basically makes Fedor Finkels slave and will only fight where finkel can get a gig. Who knows what will become of the latest crap fom M1, I tired of it I just want to see the guy fight. Fedor seems to be a very good person i'm just not sure M1 is doing the best for him.
Eventually SF will have to tie guys up under 5 fight contracts. They should tie them up but still co-promote.
