It looks as if contract negotiations between Strikeforce and M-1 Global have gone well between the two as an early morning report from MMAWeekly.com has the “Last Russian Emporer” Fedor Emelianenko (32-2) returning to the cage on Jan. 29th to face Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (15-2).
This would mark the return of the Russian heavyweight since his […]
It looks as if contract negotiations between Strikeforce and M-1 Global have gone well between the two as an early morning report from MMAWeekly.com has the “Last Russian Emporer” Fedor Emelianenko (32-2) returning to the cage on Jan. 29th to face Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (15-2).
This would mark the return of the Russian heavyweight since his stunning loss to Fabricio Werdum last June. Since then Fedor had been looking for an immediate rematch with Werdum, who took time off to have surgery, and then the Russian’s management fell into renegotiation’s with Strikeforce for the remainder of the fall.
Before the loss Fedor had an amazing 28 fight undefeated streak and looked poised to fight Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem next. But the loss and a Fedor vs. Silva bout leaves the Strikeforce title up in the air, possibly the promotion will try to book a Werdum vs. Overeem for the Spring.
Meanwhile, Silva has won two straight winning a TKO victory over Mike Kyle earlier this month. Kyle took the fight at the last minute and almost rocked “Bigfoot” in the first round, but the former EliteXC champion survived into the second and opened up a strong ground-and-pound to finish the fight at 2:49. Silva also defeated Andrei Arlovski earlier this year, winning a unanimous decision at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery in May.
Press Release
Fresh of the momentum of crowning their first-ever Lightweight and Heavyweight champions, M-1 Global is gearing up for its sophomore mega-event of 2010 with M-1 Challenge XXII: Gallicchio vs. Zavurov which goes down Friday December 10th from the Druzhba Arena in Moscow, Russia. Fans worldwide will be able to catch the action LIVE online […]
Press Release
Fresh of the momentum of crowning their first-ever Lightweight and Heavyweight champions, M-1 Global is gearing up for its sophomore mega-event of 2010 with M-1 Challenge XXII: Gallicchio vs. Zavurov which goes down Friday December 10th from the Druzhba Arena in Moscow, Russia. Fans worldwide will be able to catch the action LIVE online for free on the organization’s official website www.M-1Global.com starting 11:30am EST / 8:30 PST.
“Challenge XXI was our best event to date in 2010 and we’re building off its success,” says Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for M-1 Global. “The live feed played a significant role in the event’s positive reviews and because of this we’re making December’s M-1 Challenge XXII available via live, streaming telecast as well. The fans have spoken and M-1 Global is listening.”
Championship Bouts
Welterweight Division: Tom ‘Da Tank’ Gallicchio, M-1 Selection Americas 2010 champion (15-5) clashes with Shamil Zavurov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (12-1) Middleweight Division: Magomed ‘The White Wolf’ Sultanakhmedov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (28-4) meets Rafa? ‘Kulturysta’ Moks, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champ (5-2) Light Heavyweight Division: Tomasz ‘Giraffe’ Narkun, M-1 Selection Western Europe champion (4-0) battles Vyacheslav ‘Slava’ Vasilevsky, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe champion (9-1).
Additional bouts to be announced
Free broadcast coverage of the entire M-1 Challenge XXII event will be available live to viewers worldwide on www.M-1Global.com. To receive the iframe embedding code to air the event, please email Eric Nicholl at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets.
2011 includes a full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe. These are the mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly.
Go to www.M-1Global.com for additional information. About M-1 Global:
Founded in 1998, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and affiliates in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand stages its M-1 Selection and M-1 Challenge events worldwide and its co-produced Strikeforce events in the United States; captivating the live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups. 2011 marks a breakthrough year for this MMA powerhouse. With two Selections tournaments across Eastern & Western Europe and North America and a full calendar of Challenge events, M-1 Global’s World Champions will rank amongst the greatest in the sport and the contention system will fuel spectacular cards around the world.
M-1 Global’s greatest asset is the number one heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. With daily coverage on all MMA-related websites in the world, and articles in Time Magazine, LA times and New York times, Fedor and M-1 Global make a lifetime match serving as the catalyst to grow MMA in the 21st century.
Fedor Emelianenko’s manager, Vadim Finkelstein spoke out again denying their being any sort of negotiations happening with the UFC to bring his fighter to the American promotion.
Speaking to AllBoxing.ru, and translated by FightersOnlyMagazine.co.uk, Finkelstein had this to say.
“It’s stupidity. We are not conducting such negotiations. Right now we are in active negotiations with Showtime on […]
Fedor Emelianenko’s manager, Vadim Finkelstein spoke out again denying their being any sort of negotiations happening with the UFC to bring his fighter to the American promotion.
“It’s stupidity. We are not conducting such negotiations. Right now we are in active negotiations with Showtime on a contract extension, and perhaps we will renew it. But the UFC does not offer such opportunities and imposes its monopoly conditions. They believe that everyone should be in the UFC.”
“We would love to fight with Lesnar, and Velasquez and all but why should we give up all these undertakings, all the years spent on Fedor’s development will go to them? Fedor did not grow in the UFC, right? So why should he go to the UFC?
“Fedor is now ready to fight. He is 34, he feels fine and is ready to work. He is ready to sign a contract for five or six fights, and do the job very well. He always says he’s ready to act. We need to protect our interests.”
Fedor has only one fight left on his Strikeforce contract with both sides, M-1 Global and Strikeforce, still at the negotiating table trying to work something out. Fedor and his management walked away from the second CBS event last Spring, so the feelings between the two camps can’t be all that warm.
We don’t think Fedor will sign with the UFC as M-1 and Finkelstein would be giving up whatever negotiating leverage they posses if he loses there. Expect to see him fighting in Japan one or two more times before Fedor retires and moves into full politician mode.
We could be wrong, but his enthusiasm, or maybe his managements enthusiasm, to face the best in the world is a bit lacking so we don’t expect him to face anymore tough challenges before he fades into the sunset.
Press Release
Russia on Thursday October 28th LIVE at www.M-1Global.com starting 11:30am EST / 8:30 PST.
“M-1 Challenge XXI has become our most publicized event to date in 2010. It’s a testament to where the M-1 Global brand is headed,” says Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “This is a stacked card that marks M-1 Global as an […]
Press Release
Russia on Thursday October 28th LIVE at www.M-1Global.com starting 11:30am EST / 8:30 PST.
“M-1 Challenge XXI has become our most publicized event to date in 2010. It’s a testament to where the M-1 Global brand is headed,” says Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan. “This is a stacked card that marks M-1 Global as an international powerhouse where talented athletes are given a battlefield to showcase their skills to a worldwide audience. This is a precursor to 2011.”
Matchups include:
Magomed Shikshabekov (12-0) vs. Che Mills (11-4) Welterweight Super Bout
Mikhail Zayats (11-5) vs. Matias Baric (5-3) Light Heavyweight
Yuri Ivlev (14-5) vs. Daniel Weichel (24-7) Lightweight
Alexei Nazarov (9-3) vs. Alexei Belyaev (10-4) Middleweight
Alexander Sarnavsky (10-0) vs. Victor Kuku (7-5-1) Lightweight
Rashid Magomedov (6-2) vs. Igor Araujo (18-5) Welterweight
Dmitry Samoilov (8-5-1) vs. Gadzhimurad Omarov (5-0) Light Heavyweight
Vusal Bairamov (0-1) vs. Joakhim Apie (Pro Debut) Lightweight
Denis Goltsov (Pro Debut) vs. Marat Aliaskhabov (Pro Debut) Light Heavyweight
Lightweight Title Fight:
Artiom Damkovsky, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (10-4) vs. Mairbek Taisumov, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champion (12-2)
Heavyweight Title Fight:
Kenny Garner, M-1 Selection Americas champion (5-2) vs. Guram Gugenishvili, M-1 Selection Western Europe champion (9-0).
The Welterweight, Middleweight and Light Heavyweight championship bouts will be awarded at M-1 Challenge XXII scheduled for this December, establishing M-1 Challenge champions in all five weight classes. The contention system will continue to fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets. Free broadcast coverage of M-1 Challenge XXII will be available at a later date or LIVE to viewers worldwide on www.M-1Global.com and selected affiliate partner sites.
2011 includes a full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe. These are the mega-event spectaculars where Champions will be crowned, titles defended and contenders’ positions on the ladder will be determined. Feeding the stable of fighters will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly.
Go to www.M-1Global.com for additional information.
Founded in 1998, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, New York City, Washington DC, Los Angeles and affiliates in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand stages its M-1 Selection and M-1 Challenge events worldwide and its co-produced Strikeforce events in the United States; captivating the live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups. 2011 marks a breakthrough year for this MMA powerhouse. With two Selections tournaments across Eastern & Western Europe and North America and a full calendar of Challenge events, M-1 Global’s World Champions will rank amongst the greatest in the sport and the contention system will fuel spectacular cards around the world.
M-1 Global’s greatest asset is the number one heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. With daily coverage on all MMA-related websites in the world, and articles in Time Magazine, LA times and New York times, Fedor and M-1 Global make a lifetime match serving as the catalyst to grow MMA in the 21st century.
Fedor was in LA for the EA Sports MMA launch party–check out what he took home to Russia and listen in on his conversation with Dan Henderson. Fedor was stoked to get his Clinch Gear care package!
HT: ClinchGear.com
Fedor was in LA for the EA Sports MMA launch party–check out what he took home to Russia and listen in on his conversation with Dan Henderson. Fedor was stoked to get his Clinch Gear care package!
“The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (32-2) recently answered fan questions in a Q&A article found on Mixfight.ru. Fedor is still looking for a rematch with Fabricio Werdum and a shot at Alistair Overeem.
Here are a couple of the highlights from the article.
When asked when he’ll face current Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, Fedor replied “I […]
“The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (32-2) recently answered fan questions in a Q&A article found on Mixfight.ru. Fedor is still looking for a rematch with Fabricio Werdum and a shot at Alistair Overeem.
Here are a couple of the highlights from the article.
When asked when he’ll face current Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, Fedor replied “I do not know when … I know that he refuses …”
Asked about his next bout, Fedor answers “To date, Strike Force organization could not offer me a serious opponent. Alistair Overeem finds various excuses from our fight. The remaining stars have lost in recent battles, and so the organization does not express a desire to put them against me. And Fabricio Werdum had the surgery and also not yet ready to act. In addition, under a contract with this organization, I was one fight.”
Alistair Overeem’s manager Bas Boon was quick to respond to the article on Facebook.
“15 months we want to fight Fedor, but Fedor wanted (none strikeforce title holder) Rogers instead, then after Alistair destroys Rogers, Fedor fights Werdrum? Alistair goes to challenge the winner , which is Werdrum. Fedor only want rematch with Werdrum and not fight with Alistair.
“Werdum out with injury, we still want to fight Fedor, but he refuses. Then when we finally decided to particpate in K-1 and make the news official, M-1/ Fedor wants to fight Overeem 2 days after Alistair and GG make an official statement that he will fight in the K-1 WGP, what a joke M1/Fedor!!”
Boon is the head of Golden Glory, a Dutch kickboxing and mma camp which is home to Overeem.
It looks like a case of he said, she said really. Although there are some similarities between this and last years UFC/M-1 negotiations about who said what.
The only person who hasn’t made a statement is Fedor’s manager Vadim Finkelstein, the one that is supposed to negotiate these fights for the Russian heavyweight. Love is blind they say.
It looks as if contract negotiations between Strikeforce and M-1 Global have gone well between the two as an early morning report from MMAWeekly.com has the “Last Russian Emporer” Fedor Emelianenko (32-2) returning to the cage on Jan. 29th to face Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (15-2).
