Posted on July 29, 2009
by Jay Farmington
In the world of MMA the name Fedor Emilianenko needs no introduction. The man is and has been the top ranked heavyweight fighter throughout the world. His dominance extends through atleast three companies and his undefeated streak leaves every challenger wondering if they will be able to stand a chance. So why then do people question Fedor's dominance? Why is it that a man who has gone undefeated for his last 26 fights is being doubted. The reason, Fedor has not stepped up to the plate and entered the #1 MMA organization in the world, The Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Fedor and the UFC has a checkered past. Nearly every meeting has ended in no deal being agreed upon, and relationships more strained. Just when there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel some new rogue element enters the picture and the deal is subsequently blown. If it's not Fedor's manager then it is M1 Global (the current organization Fedor is signed to) and if it's not M1 then it seems to be something awkward like agreement to appear for interviews and promotional work. The biggest hurdle seems to be M1. A self proclaimed world wide promotion company that feels it has the right to demand co-promotion with the UFC for an exclusive Fedor fight. So UFC does all of this work for the last decade or more to establish itself as the premier fighting organization, and M1 shows up and thinks it should be allowed to ride UFC's coat tails because they have an exclusive contract with one fighter? Where is that proper? So then, what does this have anything to do with a man who has not lost a fight in over 8 years? Everything. The best fighter in the world should know enough to know he should be fighting for the best company in the business.
Fedor is and has been ranked the number 1 heavyweight fighter in the world. His dominance in Pride is unquestioned but since Pride's purchase by UFC parent company Zuffa, Fedor has really not had a challenging fight. Not to say the fights are easy, however they are not world class. His track record since Pride's purchase include a few UFC rejects, some gimmick matches against giants, and his most difficult challenges stemming from ex UFC champions way past their prime. Fedor simply has not fought a man of his caliber since 2005. Critics and fans have a right to question if this man is THE best fighter in the world if he does not fight the best challengers to his crown.
I am one of Fedor's biggest fans. I will defend him until the bitter end. However, if Fedor does not step up to the plate and fight world class athletes, his claims to be the best in the world do not hold water. Fighters like Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar are foaming at the mouth to get a piece of the world's best. To protect his legacy and his credibility he must bend for contractual purposes and enter the octagon. If Fedor does not answer all challengers he simply cannot retain the title of #1. Love him or hate him a fighter like Brock Lesnar who will only get better from this point on will in fact give Fedor a run for his money. Time will only tell if Fedor puts aside these minuscule details and answers the cries of his fans and silences his critics once and for all. I believe he will, I believe he is the greatest fighter of all time. But I also believe he is surrounded by a team with too much to say. The only one who seems to want to push Fedor to enter the UFC ring is his brother Aleks. Perhaps he should listen. The Last Emperor has an obligation to defend his throne.
Small Update: Here is a list of things the UFC offered Fedor in their latest contract. Fedor will NEVER see 5 million a fight with any other organization.
- The UFC offered Fedor a 6 fight, 30 million dollar contract. That's 5 mil a fight
- The UFC offered Fedor an immediate title shot
- Lesnar/Fedor would be the biggest PPV in MMA history, the UFC offered M-1 Global a cut of the PPV on top of Fedor's purse.
- Fedor was free to wear as many M-1 logoed items as he wished.
- The UFC also relented on allowing Fedor to compete in combat sambo.
Apparently, for good or bad, M-1 refuses to sign a deal unless the UFC agrees to co-promote.
