Fedor signs the contract with his manager. Can't put it all on him. I agree though, I don't see it ever happening. If they do bring Fedor to the UFC, they'd want a huge contract for multiple fights. Bringing him in for 1 fight does nothing.
Once I started learning about the details, I feel the same way. As long as this guy is his manager, I can't see it happening. Conflict of interest.
Here's the situation; Fedor has Vadim as his Manager. Fedor and Vadim have been good friends since his red devil days, long time ago. They left red devil because of Vadim. Fedor trusts Vadim with all the decisions. Vadim owns m-1 and wants it to be part of every event Fedor fights in, which makes sense from his point of view, because he is helping out a friend, and making money. Vadim has given Fedor owners share of M1. The ****ty translator Fedor has, is also an m-1 part owner, and Vadim appointed attorney. UFC is too big for anybody. Strikeforce my budge, maybe dream, but UFC won't recognize any other company, because for him its about monopolyzing MMA. In the end, Vadim will be asking for a co-promotion, and Dana will laugh. [edit] Unless Lorenzo steps in, and talks to Fedor face to face like he said he would, and swoop him.
Basically M-1 is trying to build a competitive entity to the UFC. Why would they help build their brand? It'd be like Microsoft putting a Firefox logo on Internet Explorer five years ago. M-1 has no choice but to allow Fedor to fight for other promotions because.......they don't have anybody for him to fight otherwise.
Exactly. And they also don't have ANYBODY to promote outside of Fedor. That's why Finkelstein is holding onto Fedor with a death-grip. Basically, M-1 would cease to be without Fedor. Fedor's manager just so happens to be president and co-owner of M-1, so we have this situation where Finkelstein is milking his cash cow for everything he can while he's under contract with M-1. M-1 won't last. It'll be like Affliction and Elite XC. Will it crash and burn in time for Fedor to be able to sign with the UFC? Will Fedor realize that his manager is bringing him down, and dump him after his contract is up? I can't wait to find out the answers to these questions. I predict that Fedor will finish his contract with M-1, fighting cans and wasting precious time because of his stupid manager, and sign with the UFC sometime in early 2011.
My worry is that by time he actually gets to the UFC -- if ever -- his skills will have eroded and he'll begin losing right off the bat. At 32, that time has to be getting closer.
Yeah, I think that it could happen that by the time he actually makes it to the UFC, it might be too late. I truly think Finkelstein is wasting Fedor's time and his career by not letting him go to the UFC. Like I said earlier, if Fedor wants to remain relevant in the sport, he needs to come to the UFC. It's like you have the best pitcher in all of baseball, but his manager won't let the guy play in the major leagues, because he also owns the minor league team he currently plays for. The pitcher seems to be happy, because he's getting paid major league money for dominating in the minor leagues. What does that say about the pitcher? If Fedor just wants to collect a fat paycheck for phoning it in fighting cans in lesser promotions so he can make his manager happy and rich, that's his prerogative. IMO, it will negatively affect his reputation and standing in the sport.
the problem with that, is that he doesnt care. he stated number of times he doesn't care where people rank him, and what they think.
But there also has to be a pride and competitive aspect to it. His competitive nature should mandate that he seek out the best fighters in the world. Especially now. He's fought and beaten a lot of big dogs in the past. And he's talked about Randy and Brock. But right now, in 2009, there's nobody else outside the UFC. I mean, when Barnett fell thru, they were left with 195-pound Vitor Belfort. That's how bare it is out there. If he continues fighting palookas the rest of his career, he could see a fan backlash and very possibly a negative monetary effect. Really, whose going to pay mega-money to see Fedor fight retreads, has-beens and never-will-be's? Maybe he can get away with that in Japan or Russia. But the American public said no to Vitor because they know what that fight is. They absolutely have designs on America. This is where the money is. He's at a crossroads. From now on, every fight Fedor takes outside the UFC is a step in the wrong direction. He's 32, is not getting any younger, and has no more challenges outside the UFC. Every fight outside the UFC is a sacrifice and an injustice to what he is. If it was about competition, M-1 would take their money and shut up. But they have that conflict of interest. Maybe Fedor truly doesn't care. If that's the case, he's not as great as he should be. Basically, it seems like the M-1/Fedor camp wants it all their way or nothing. The UFC has already compromised, indicating they'd allow the Sambo stuff. As far as I know, that's unprecedented. Has there been any compromise on the part of M-1? Not that I'm aware of.
Like I said, what does that say about him? It says, "I don't fight because I want to be the best, I just want to get paid." I don't really think that he's that type of guy. I think he's playing the part.
I couldn't agree more. Fedor will most definitely will be getting paid less and less the longer he stays out of the UFC. Maybe there'll be another promotion willing to pay him big while they operate in the red, like Affliction did, but I doubt it. Will Fedor truly be content being relegated to destroying bums for the rest of his career? Somehow I think his "I don't care" attitude is a put-on. The only logical place for Fedor going forward is in the UFC. We might have to wait until his contract with M-1 expires, but I think it's going to happen.
From his point of view it looks this way(the way Vlad explains it to him) UFC wants to control you, and not fight Sambo. Its a bad deal. You see what I mean? He has no idea what those guys are saying...Vadim can manipulate him all he wants.
Yeah, we have no way of knowing what Fedor's being told by these guys. I don't know if it's quite as bad as the bolded, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out they don't give Fedor all the details of their negotiations.
Judging by some of the uproar in this thread, I think the UFC would be wise to bring in their own translator during any negotiations they have with Fedor.
me In the interview prior to ufc 100, lorenzo said that he wants to sit down with fedor face to face. i thinkg that its up to lorenzo to make that deal. as if, he is the only one could come thru fedors manager. he flew out to cro cop in croatia. and whas has cro cop done since he came to ufc? Looked extremely average at best. but lorenzo knew he was a big figure in non-american mma community. ufc has a good cop, bad cop thing with dana and lorenzo. Sambo championships is in november i believe. So unless fedor fights withing next month or two, we won't see him till new years? ultimate 2009 card would be awesome)))
Interview with Bobby Lashley. It's quite old (from October), but it's interesting nonetheless. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfQWggrGf4Y&feature=related"]YouTube - Bobby Lashley: Rated Exclusive Interview[/ame]
Torres is one of my favorite fighters in MMA. insane skill set. also Marcus Hicks fighting on the undercard is one of my favorites as well. may not be broadcasted though. ****!
LOL!!!!! That is the betting line. I want to bet Forrest at +300....I am asking people to talk me out of it.
+300 is a pretty good bet. i wouldnt bet straight up either way, but damn hes a pretty big underdog. i may throw some gingle on that as well.
BTW..you guys got till tommorow morning to talk me out of it..... nappy didn;t do a very good job of it.....LOL
hey guys I just heard forrest griffin gained 400 lbs so he can try fighting silva sumo wrestler style!!!! stoopid.
bodog works and section......dont put alot on him.....silva has won 9 straight fights (ufc record) he has more finess than forrest......forrest of course has a chance to knock him out, (he will out weigh him) wear him down, but i doubt it.....i got silva winning
yeah...what bothers me is what Silva did to Dan Henderson. I know it was at 185 lbs...But Hendo at 185 lbs has always been a beast. Not so much against Silva.... But the price is sooooooooooooooo right... I might just split the baby and not bet so much.
