Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (32-2) will not make an appearance in a Strikeforce cage for the rest of 2010, this according to a member of his management team from M-1 Global. Negotiations between the two organizations is ongoing and the earliest fans may see him is on Jan. 29 at an as yet-to-be-announced Strikeforce event.
Evgeni Kogan, M-1 Global’s Director of Operations, spoke to Sherdog.com about the former #1 ranked heavyweight fighter, as well as updates on M-1 Global.
Kogan also confirmed to Sherdog.com on Thursday that the Russian-based promotion was in New York this week to meet with Strikeforce and broadcast partner Showtime. In addition to a contract extension for both M-1 Global and Emelianenko, discussions were started regarding a potential deal to air the foreign promotion’s homegrown M-1 Challenge event on the U.S. pay-cable network.
Fedor suffered his first loss after winning 27 straight bouts, this summer against Fabricio Werdum at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum” in June. Werdum locked in a triangle choke in the first round to defeat the Russian, shocking many around the world. Fedor has asked for a rematch but Werdum is currently recovering from injury and may instead meet Alistair Overeem for the Strikeforce heavyweight title.