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Published Monday, Aug. 3, 2009 | 4 p.m.
Updated Monday, Aug. 3, 2009 | 4:58 p.m.
Mixed martial arts heavyweight fighters Josh Barnett (left) and Russia's Fedor Emelianenko appear in New York on June 3, 2009, during a press conference for Affliction's August event in Anaheim, Calif. The event and fighting promotion were canceled after Barnett tested positive for a banned substance.
Days after turning down a generous offer from the world's premiere mixed martial arts organization, Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight deal with the California-based Strikeforce, the UFC's biggest competitor.
"I am looking forward to going back to work and fighting at the highest level," said the 32-year-old Emelianenko, of today's deal which will allow his M-1 Global organization to co-promote the events — the biggest sticking point in the botched negotiations with the UFC.
"Strikeforce is a top fight promotion that houses some of the greatest fighters in the world. I am prepared to fight any of them."
While terms of the deal with Emelianenko (30-1 MMA record) — who was supposed to headline Affliction Entertainment's canceled "Trilogy" event last weekend in Anaheim before Josh Barnett's positive steroid test through the show into shambles — were not released, the man mixed martial art pundits tab as the sport's top heavyweight will likely make his debut in the fall on Showtime, according to a press release.
“Fedor has been the reigning king of MMA’s heavyweight division for quite some time now so being able to work with M-1 and Fedor will substantially increase the level of competition amongst the athletes in this weight class,” said Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker.
UFC president Dana White, who reportedly offered Fedor a six fight-$30 million deal last week, was out of the country on Monday but texted ESPNRadio 1100 in Las Vegas.
"I'm in Abu Dhabi right now and my reaction is Fedor is a (expletive) joke," White told Yahoo's Cagewriter. "(He) turns down a huge deal and the opportunity to face the best in the world to fight nobodies, for no money. Fedor is a (expletive)."
"I feel sorry for the real fans! I wanted to make the deal but it takes two and it is VERY obvious Fedor doesn't want to fight the best and doesn't give a (expletive) about the fans."
Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz told MMAjunkie.com that Emelianenko "will get top competition in Strikeforce as he would've in the UFC."
"There are a lot of potential opponents you could put in front of him that could give him very tough fights right now," Afromowitz said.
"You saw a lot of interest in that fight with (Brett) Rogers (10-0). "(Alistair) Overeem (29-11) is a top-10 guy, too. Fabricio (Werdum), 11-4-1, is another guy (who could fight Emelianenko). They're all tough opponents."
Know what I think I think he never wanted to step up to fight the best he just wanted to cash in with minimal risk..strike although good is not top flight... Sad he wont step up and why...?? you have to ask Money? he owns M-1 what happens to him and M-1 if he losses 2-3 in the UFC the Andre exposed him.. Sad as much as we like to think MMA is differnt than boxing as time pasess we are seeing the same kind of things the big money is killing the purity...
@ Rocco
I have no idea what your post means. I have tried reading it on multiple occasions, but yet...
That being said...Fedor is a smart businessman. I would do the same if I were him. Follow the money, and stay away from the suffocating Dana White. If White wants him, the price tag must only go up. Especially if the fans continue to cry for a Brock v. Fedor showdown. As one who also seeks more money, well done Fedor...well done.