M-1 signs Fedor
Oct 11, 2007 7:20:00 GMT -5
Post by DUCE on Oct 11, 2007 7:20:00 GMT -5
community.foxsports.com/blogs/FOXSportsMMA/2006/10/25/Showbiz_and_MMA
www.pridefc.com/pride2005/index.php?mainpage=news&news_id=1035
www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=9453
sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AlikOyp0BmM7JtMttZ7uu8KUxLYF?slug=ys-101007fightnet&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
By Stash Capar and Loretta Hunt/The Fight Network
October 10, 2007
When and where will Fedor Emelianenko fight next?
That answer looms closer with the news that Russian promotion M-1 Mix-Fight Championship has been purchased outright by an undisclosed American entertainment-related company, says a source close to the deal that spoke on the condition of anonymity. Established in 1997, the St. Petersburg-based M-1 held over 30 events under the ownership of Russian businessman Vadim Finkelstein, also the long-time manager of the much sought-after PRIDE heavyweight champion. Finkelstein is also the proprietor of the Red Devil Sports Club, a facility and team that houses numerous Russian fighters, including PRIDE veteran Roman Zentsov and former UFC middleweight Andrei Semenov.
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Emelianenko, 31, has committed exclusively to the new ownership, which is said to have infused a substantial amount of capital into the organization, confirms the source. Finkelstein and others will stay on to assist in running the company that will continue to promote under a variation of the M-1 name. The new M-1 will take a much more global stance, and Emelianenko (26-1) will headline its inaugural event as early as January or February, possibly in the U.S., says the source.
On March 27, Ultimate Fighting Championship majority owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta bought the assets of PRIDE, only to discover Emelianenko had previously signed a non-exclusive, non-transferable contract with its former owners, Dream Stage Entertainment. As late as September, UFC president Dana White had ensured a deal with Emelianenko was imminent, though repeated negotiations between Finkelstein, colleague Apy Echteld, and the Las Vegas outlet could not produce an agreement to bring the Stary Oskol resident to the famed octagon. A major point of contention was White’s insistence Emelianenko sign an exclusive contract with the American promotion, which would exclude Emelianenko’s participation in Sambo competitions. Emelianenko is a three-time World Combat Sambo champion and ambassador for the sport in his homeland.
With a record of 26-1 (including one no contest), Emelianenko is widely received as the world’s number-one pound-for-pound fighter. The 31-year-old former Army firefighter rose to the top of PRIDE’s ranks by besting standouts like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (30-4-1) and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (22-6-2). Emelianenko submitted 2000 Olympic Greco-Roman silver medallist Matt Lindland (20-5) at Bodog Fight “Clash of the Nations” on April 14 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has not competed since.
A formal announcement of the purchase, as well as plans for the new organization’s first event, is expected to be announced by the end of this month.
www.pridefc.com/pride2005/index.php?mainpage=news&news_id=1035
www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=9453
sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AlikOyp0BmM7JtMttZ7uu8KUxLYF?slug=ys-101007fightnet&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
By Stash Capar and Loretta Hunt/The Fight Network
October 10, 2007
When and where will Fedor Emelianenko fight next?
That answer looms closer with the news that Russian promotion M-1 Mix-Fight Championship has been purchased outright by an undisclosed American entertainment-related company, says a source close to the deal that spoke on the condition of anonymity. Established in 1997, the St. Petersburg-based M-1 held over 30 events under the ownership of Russian businessman Vadim Finkelstein, also the long-time manager of the much sought-after PRIDE heavyweight champion. Finkelstein is also the proprietor of the Red Devil Sports Club, a facility and team that houses numerous Russian fighters, including PRIDE veteran Roman Zentsov and former UFC middleweight Andrei Semenov.
ADVERTISEMENT
Emelianenko, 31, has committed exclusively to the new ownership, which is said to have infused a substantial amount of capital into the organization, confirms the source. Finkelstein and others will stay on to assist in running the company that will continue to promote under a variation of the M-1 name. The new M-1 will take a much more global stance, and Emelianenko (26-1) will headline its inaugural event as early as January or February, possibly in the U.S., says the source.
On March 27, Ultimate Fighting Championship majority owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta bought the assets of PRIDE, only to discover Emelianenko had previously signed a non-exclusive, non-transferable contract with its former owners, Dream Stage Entertainment. As late as September, UFC president Dana White had ensured a deal with Emelianenko was imminent, though repeated negotiations between Finkelstein, colleague Apy Echteld, and the Las Vegas outlet could not produce an agreement to bring the Stary Oskol resident to the famed octagon. A major point of contention was White’s insistence Emelianenko sign an exclusive contract with the American promotion, which would exclude Emelianenko’s participation in Sambo competitions. Emelianenko is a three-time World Combat Sambo champion and ambassador for the sport in his homeland.
With a record of 26-1 (including one no contest), Emelianenko is widely received as the world’s number-one pound-for-pound fighter. The 31-year-old former Army firefighter rose to the top of PRIDE’s ranks by besting standouts like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (30-4-1) and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (22-6-2). Emelianenko submitted 2000 Olympic Greco-Roman silver medallist Matt Lindland (20-5) at Bodog Fight “Clash of the Nations” on April 14 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He has not competed since.
A formal announcement of the purchase, as well as plans for the new organization’s first event, is expected to be announced by the end of this month.
