Fedor sounds like "fighter"
August 25, 2009 3:59 AM   Subscribe

Fedor Emelianenko is the best fighter in the world. A "thinking man's fighter", he has defeated many larger opponents and even one giant. But Fedor is leaving the Ultimate Fighting Championship .
posted by twoleftfeet (115 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
He was never IN the UFC...
posted by Dark Messiah at 4:01 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


Yeah, Fedor has never fought in the UFC. To date his involvement with M1 global and their demands for cross-promotion, among other things, have been insurmountable roadblocks.
posted by selfnoise at 4:07 AM on August 25, 2009


Additionally, I strongly disagree that Fedor's absence will cost the UFC anything... As Selfnoise mentioned, Fedor's managment have some pretty outrageous demands, plus the UFC has a near monopoly on top-end heavyweight talent. Fedor has ~2 decent fights waiting for him in Strikeforce; Alistair Overeem and Brett Rogers.

Fedor's drawing power and MMA talent are nowhere near equal levels. Yes, he's an amazing fighter. No, most of the world has no idea who he is. Strikeforce and it's razor-thin heavyweight division will not be doing a lot to change this.
posted by Dark Messiah at 4:27 AM on August 25, 2009


Hong Man Choi isn't a giant. That's a vegetable.

I saw a massive fucker, about 6 foot 10. North African lookin' fella. Bald head. Crazy crazy eyes. IQ of around 20 I'd guess. Now HE was a giant.

/I don't follow this sport, but have a friend who does. He's always got it on when I visit.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 4:39 AM on August 25, 2009


So that "giant"'s style is to just squash his opponent?
posted by DU at 4:39 AM on August 25, 2009


Fedor Emelianenko is phenomonally fun to watch. I'm not super into UFC but sometimes when the match goes to the ground it can descend to a boring hug off with just enough striking attempts to keep the ref from standing the fighters up. Emelianenko has a certain kinetic vibrancy that makes these otherwise boring (to my philistine eyes) situations fascinating. I also like his attitude and the fact that he seems like a humane adult rather than a particularly dangerous child. I mean I'm happy to concede that this is a mythology that I've constructed around his physiognomy, his body language, the way that he carries himself.
posted by I Foody at 4:47 AM on August 25, 2009 [2 favorites]


Although Fedor is extremely talented and one of the best heavyweights in mma history, he'll never be the best until he fights in the UFC. That's where the best fighter's fight. How great of a fight would it be to see Frank Mir and Fedor. I think that one of the issues with Fedor though is that a major part of his draw is that he has been so dominant. If he went to the UFC he would not have the domininance he does in M1 or Affliction, or Strikeforce.
posted by LouieLoco at 5:03 AM on August 25, 2009


MetaFilter: a mythology that I've constructed around physiognomy
posted by DU at 5:04 AM on August 25, 2009


From the last link: "[UFC President Dana White] makes up for it by putting on great shows and doing right by brawlers like [Chuck] Liddell, whom the UFC president forced into retirement after it was clear he would endure further brain damage if he got back into the cage."

When was it confirmed that Chuck Liddell has brain damage? MMA is not like boxing, he hasn't taken thousands of shots to the head over his career. I know there's a lot of talk about Liddell's slurred speech in interviews and whatnot, but there's some speculation those 'performances' could have been influenced by drinking or drug use.
posted by brandman at 5:04 AM on August 25, 2009


Frank Mir v Fedor is your dream fight, LouieLoco? Seriously?

Not Couture or Lesnar?
posted by the cuban at 5:15 AM on August 25, 2009


I'd watch Fedor vs Mir because I enjoy watching Mir get pasted. It's something about that little chin beard of his. Lesnar vs Fedor would be a very interesting bout however.
posted by longbaugh at 5:24 AM on August 25, 2009


You don't need thousands of shots to the head. Two or three will do the trick, especially if one of them comes when you're already recovering from a concussion. This was a pretty tough lesson the NFL learned (and those dudes got helmets!) - getting your bell rung is no joke.

UFC offers far more opportunities for brain damage than boxing does. In the UFC, you can take a knee, elbow or kick to the head, and you can get thrown bodily to the mat head-first with someone on top of you. In boxing, it's mostly the quick hits, meant for speed, not power, that are aimed at the head (going for points, remember?) When a boxer goes for a knock-out hit, he goes for the jaw - there are a cluster of nerves where the jaw meets the skull, and jamming them together causes a "short circuit" in the nervous system that turns out the lights. This isn't a concussion, and the damage isn't usually lasting beyond a sore jaw. (Which isn't to say that boxer's don't get concussions and the brain-damage that comes with it. They absolutely do. It's just to say that MMA offers more opportunities to scramble your headmeat.)
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:29 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


Brain damage or not, Chuck just isn't top-tier anymore. If he fights top-tier guys, he'll keep getting KTFO. Look at his record - bad KOs in 4 of the last 5 fights. Quitting is good, I'd hate to see him to turn into another Ken Shamrock.

Frank Mir v Fedor is your dream fight, LouieLoco? Seriously?

Two top-tier heavyweight grapplers... Yeah, in a grappling match it'd be fascinating. If it was MMA, I think we'd see a big right hand ending Mirs night at ~30 seconds into round 1. Mir has pretty terrible stand up for a top tier MMA fighter.
posted by anti social order at 5:29 AM on August 25, 2009


It's just to say that MMA offers more opportunities to scramble your headmeat

I've always heard you can use big gloves and end up with a normal face and a damaged brain or small gloves and end up beatup but without brain damage. Pretty and dumb vs ugly and smart is what the guys in the boxing gym said.

Plus there's no standing 8 count in MMA and I can think of only one MMA fight that went on where the guy was clearly out on his feet eating leather vs dozens of boxing matches where that's happened.
posted by anti social order at 5:36 AM on August 25, 2009


Brain damage or not, Chuck just isn't top-tier anymore. If he fights top-tier guys, he'll keep getting KTFO.

No argument there, it's clear that he's done.

UFC offers far more opportunities for brain damage than boxing does.

Maybe...but most of these guys aren't taking multiple hard shots to the head, every round, every fight. By definition, boxing yields hundreds of strikes to the head each match (early KOs notwithstanding), and even if they're not all "power shots", your brain's still getting knocked around in your skull exponentially more than in MMA. I'm no expert, to be sure, but logically it just seems that boxing is far more dangerous than MMA.
posted by brandman at 5:48 AM on August 25, 2009


If you get a concussion in the NFL you may miss a game or two. In MMA, a fighter only fights maybe two or three times a year. Following every fight is a mandatory medical suspension of a minimum of one month with no contact.


Although Fedor is extremely talented and one of the best heavyweights in mma history, he'll never be the best until he fights in the UFC

He's already the best. His record and accomplishments are light years ahead of any heavy weight in the UFC.
posted by Sailormom at 5:50 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


The Master: Who run Bartertown? Who run Bartertown?
Auntie Entity: You know who.
The Master: Say.
Auntie Entity: Master Blaster.
The Master: Say loud!
Auntie Entity: Master Blaster.
The Master: Master Blaster what?
Auntie Entity: Master Blaster runs Bartertown.
The Master: Louder!
Auntie Entity: Master Blaster runs Bartertown!
The Master: Lift embargo.
posted by Pollomacho at 5:57 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


There was talk on the forums last week about Anderson Silva moving up to heavyweight.

Now, Fedor v The Spider... that'd be a good fight :)
posted by the cuban at 6:09 AM on August 25, 2009


UFC offers far more opportunities for brain damage than boxing does.

MMA also offers far more tools than boxing to avoid getting hit.

Both are punishing but I find MMA rounds to be less so. Recovery from boxing bout feels like one just needs to learn to live with pain & discomfort. Recovery from usual MMA bout lasts two weeks. Only MMA fighters I see messed up are the brawlers that stand & trade, "show heart" by going toe to toe and off to early retirement.
posted by Pasa la bola chetu at 6:14 AM on August 25, 2009


In boxing it's known as having a cracked egg. And they don't heal. One fight you're fine and then suddenly everything is dropping you. Especially prevalent amongst fighters who lead with their head, are willing to absorb punishment to get inside, who will take a punch to land a punch. The brain will only take this for so long before it says, "F*ck it! I'm outta here!" The most notable recent victim of the syndrome is Ricky Hatton. His career was suddenly over in a flash after a series of knockouts in big fights. Knockouts with spasms, seizures and prolonged periods of unconsciousness. The popular wisdom in the sport is if he tried to keep fighting 13 year old school girls would be dropping him with jabs in the first round. That or he would die in the ring. Best to retire to the pub and play some darts while you're waiting for the onset of dementia pugilistica.
posted by jim in austin at 6:23 AM on August 25, 2009 [3 favorites]


Is this something I'd have to be barbaric to understand?
posted by Mick at 7:18 AM on August 25, 2009


Brock Lesnar run Bartertown. Seriously.
posted by vrakatar at 7:20 AM on August 25, 2009


I love threads like this in areas I know nothing about that attract the ubergeeks. Because Metafilter's ubergeeks are so well-spoken compared to their equivalents in other forums.

Someone explain the Hong Man Choi fight to me. Did the russian really escape getting pinned, because it looked fake, and what happened at the end? Choke hold with his legs?
posted by mecran01 at 7:21 AM on August 25, 2009


Fedor Highlight

Note Fedor surviving the crazy suplex attempt around 6:10.

Fedor is an incredible instinctual fighter and he's a blast to watch because he's always firing on all cylinders.

I'm more terrified of pudgy Russians than ripped Brazilians, after all they hunt bears with a friggin' fork and knife!

Fedor's bro, Aleks on hunting bears (scroll down)

I feel bad for the bear, but that's quite bad ass.
posted by pakoothefakoo at 7:24 AM on August 25, 2009 [2 favorites]


"the best fighter in the world"

Assuming, of course, that you even consider the quality of fighters in this league as being comparable to, say, actual boxing.

I look at most of these people and just say 'wow... they have bad technique, compared to ______."
posted by markkraft at 7:31 AM on August 25, 2009


mecran01

Someone explain the Hong Man Choi fight to me. Did the russian really escape getting pinned, because it looked fake, and what happened at the end? Choke hold with his legs?

Fedor pulled a guard, basically he moved his hips out from below Choi's hips and wrapped his legs around his waist. Once in the guard, you can attempt a number of offensive maneuvers while controlling your opponent's movements. In this case Fedor attempted an armbar so Choi stood up to escape the submission. That's how Fedor "escaped."

Skilled grappler can escape from underneath a much larger opponent, it's all about leverage and finding the right openings. Also being slippery from sweat helps.

As for the end, it's an arm bar, you trap your opponent's arm between your legs and latch onto his neck to push him back as you lift your hips and arch your back, putting pressure on the elbow. If Choi hadn't tapped, he would have walked away with a broken elbow/arm.
posted by pakoothefakoo at 7:37 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


Assuming, of course, that you even consider the quality of fighters in this league as being comparable to, say, actual boxing.


Well obviously this isn't boxing. It's mixed martial arts.
posted by Sailormom at 7:40 AM on August 25, 2009 [3 favorites]


Well obviously this isn't boxing. It's mixed martial arts.

Precisely. I've seen a few interviews with boxers and MMA fighters where both say they could handle the other without too much trouble in their own sport, but if you asked them to cross over, they would not do as well.
posted by brandman at 7:54 AM on August 25, 2009


Here's my conjecture about Fedor not signing with the UFC: He wants to be recognized for his accomplishments where he lives, which is Russia. He doesn't really care if more Americans, Japanese, and Koreans become further enthralled with him as a result of beating a monstrous Brock Lesnar (whose invincible reputation could very well be diminished at UFC 106, anyway).
MMA isn't big in Russia, and to make it grow, he's got to build a promotion there. This is why he's willing to take way less money with Strikeforce for the chance for his promotion, M-1, to co-promote.

Of course, the big flaw in his plan, if that is his plan, is possibly hitching it to M-1 and its president (and his manager), Vadim Finklechtein, who seem pretty incompetent.

I've also read that from a Russian cultural perspective, Dana White has acted in the most off-putting way possible.
posted by ignignokt at 8:02 AM on August 25, 2009


The UFC is WWE|Professional Boxing via MMA with Dana White playing the roles of Vince McMahon and Don King. They are about merchandising themselves. Personalities are what make money so the UFC highlights these, marketing to people who would wear a UFC shirt to church. Connoisseurs of the sport be damned.*
In an interview August sixth regarding Emelianenko, White reveals his scorn for the sport, its fans and participants. "Who's he going to fight?" White asked. "Nobody . . . he's going to fight nobodies and I just don't understand it. I just don't get it." What White doesn't get (actually probably gets very well) and scarcely needs said is that it is not an immutable law of nature that a fighter under contract to Strikeforce cannot fight one under contract to UFC. While Emelianenko may himself be declining to sign with White mostly for monetary reasons he's the one that goes to work and gets punched, kicked and choked and so deserves what money he can command. Promoters, especially in combat sports, are too powerful and the athletes and quality suffer for it. Anything that increases the influence of the athletes at the expense of the promoters is good for MMA.

*I don't mean to imply that there aren't some great fighters in the UFC, there clearly are.

On preview I hope Vadim Finklechtein isn't a Russian Dana White

posted by vapidave at 8:10 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


I've seen a few interviews with boxers and MMA fighters where both say they could handle the other without too much trouble in their own sport, but if you asked them to cross over, they would not do as well.

As shown in this informative clip.
posted by box at 8:10 AM on August 25, 2009 [2 favorites]


The thing about MMA is that, often, techniques taken from a certain discipline are not executed as well as they are in pure practice of that discipline. markkraft and plenty others have noticed that the boxing technique is often not as good as that of a pure boxer. The groundwork is often not as tight as it is in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, and the throws aren't as good as they are in judo or Greco-Roman wrestling matches.

There's two main reasons for this:

1. Fighters have to split their time between the disciplines.

2. The situation is different, and they can't focus on just doing one "dimension" of fighting. When you're boxing, you have to consider takedowns. When you're groundfighting, you have to consider punches. The game just becomes way more complex. Additionally, the equipment is different. Much lighter gloves mean you have to watch out for a one-punch KO, and the cage means that you're going to hit situations on the ground in which you can't escape to certain directions.

That said, technique still gets tighter over time and will continue to do so. MMA fighters have always sought out top BJJ guys, and now they're flocking to Freddie Roach types.
posted by ignignokt at 8:12 AM on August 25, 2009 [2 favorites]


An MMA fight career easily offers far more opportunities to get injured than Boxing. OTOH, with a Boxing career, you are pretty much guaranteed head trauma and subsequent brain damage. And that particular injury is far less of a worry in MMA.
posted by P.o.B. at 8:16 AM on August 25, 2009


Assuming, of course, that you even consider the quality of fighters in this league as being comparable to, say, actual boxing.

I think you mean "quality of boxers".

Boxing technique is a strict subset of MMA technique, which is a strict subset of fighting in general.

If you opened up the competition to "fighting", the MMA fighters would eat the boxers alive.


I've seen a few interviews with boxers and MMA competitors where both say they could handle the other without too much trouble in their own sport, but if you asked them to cross over, they would not do as well.

Likewise with MMA fighters and ballet dancers.
posted by CaseyB at 8:18 AM on August 25, 2009


For those not in the know, the pronunciation of his name is FYO-dor, like Dostoevsky.

Also, for those not in the know, Fedor has put down more and better opponents in spectacular fashion than any heavyweight in the UFC, with the possible exception of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. With the caveat that Noguiera has been roundly defeated by Fedor, twice. And no, I am not forgetting Randy Couture. God love Randy, but he hasn't faced the same caliber of opponents.

Boxing is not MMA. Not only is pure Western boxing not used as an end unto itself in MMA, but such practice is actively avoided. Pure Western boxing does not provide for defense of kicks or takedowns. MMA fighters are not pro-caliber boxers because they cannot afford to be.

The Slate article sounds like it was written by someone who is not actually a fan of the sport. The comment about Chuck Liddell's brain damage seemed like it was intended to be hyperbole, but was phrased in such a way as to suggest he actually has brain damage. Fedor's Red Devil training partners (Roman Zentsov, Kiril Sidelnikov, etc) are hardly "flunkies." Never in history would a flunky kick your ass so thoroughly and quickly.

Fedor not being in the UFC is Dana White's loss, not Fedor's.

Fedor's should-have-been last fight was absolutely against the most legitimate challenger, namely Josh Barnett, but Barnett failed his piss test.

The top contenders will come to Fedor, I have a feeling.

I am not called Darth Fedor for nothing--my heartfelt advice, imploringly imparted, is to give this sport the old college try before you write it off. If you watch ten high-profile fights and still aren't impressed, then you are allowed to dismiss it. But you will be impressed.
posted by Darth Fedor at 8:24 AM on August 25, 2009 [3 favorites]


I've also read that from a Russian cultural perspective, Dana White has acted in the most off-putting way possible.

I'd be shocked if there ever existed a culture where Dana white would not be off-putting. Good on him for what he's done for the sport, but the man comes across as a serious tool all the time.

I've seen a few interviews with boxers and MMA fighters where both say they could handle the other without too much trouble in their own sport, but if you asked them to cross over, they would not do as well.

Boxing is a limited sub-set of MMA (specific punches above the waist). People that specialize are of course better in that specialization than those that generalize. Think of a decathlete vs a sprinter. The boxing guy can't fight an MMA match since they have never trained the skills needed. And the MMA guy doesn't want to fight a boxing match because it takes away most of their weapons against a dangerous opponent. See Tim Sylvia getting KTFO by Ray Mercer for what happens when an MMA guy takes a boxer too lightly.
posted by anti social order at 8:27 AM on August 25, 2009


You're comparing apples and oranges with the Boxing vs. MMA here people.

Punching is a subset of MMA, not Boxing. If you're Boxing in a MMA match, you're in the wrong ring/sport.

There are complexities to both Boxing and MMA that the other doesn't have. Try not to be dismissive of Boxing either, it is called the "Sweet Science" for a reason.
posted by P.o.B. at 8:41 AM on August 25, 2009


Thanks anti social order, that's the point I was trying to make (you did it much better than I did).
posted by brandman at 8:56 AM on August 25, 2009


MMA fighters are never dismissive of boxing in the way that boxers are dismissive of MMA. MMA fighters can tell different kinds of fruit apart.

When MMA fans are dismissive of boxing--not that they ought to be--they are dismissive because boxing isn't as consistently exciting, not because they find boxers to be unskilled.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:02 AM on August 25, 2009


I could use a better explanation of the first link as well. It looks like the other guy starts falling before he's hit. Based on my understanding of the WWE and amateur boxing, I suspect foul play but don't really know what to look for beyond the obviou. Can some explain the end of that fight to me?
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 9:07 AM on August 25, 2009


I'd be shocked if there ever existed a culture where Dana white would not be off-putting. Good on him for what he's done for the sport, but the man comes across as a serious tool all the time.

This. A thousand times this. I appreciate that he has popularized the sport; it has definitely brought more talent into the game. However, it doesn't mean I have to like the man. He is the reason that there are two types of fans: the MMA fan who enjoys the sport and the UFC fan who enjoys seeing two dudes throw sloppy punches, boos when they go to the ground and knocks back Redbull and Vodkas while wearing his Affliction gear.
posted by Loto at 9:13 AM on August 25, 2009 [4 favorites]


christhelongtimelurker, the other guy is not falling - he taking Fedor to the ground in the hopes of pinning him down and punching him from there. There's no penalty for falling in MMA. Nor is there any reward for pinning, scorewise. (There's certainly a strategic advantage to pinning however.) Some fighters will pull an opponent down on top of them because they are that confident of their advantage on the ground.

If there was any fight in which foul play was unnecessary, it was this one. Hong-Man Choi was a really unworthy opponent for Fedor, and no one thought he even had any chance of winning. In Japan, sometimes freak show fights like this happen because the promoters prioritize entertainment value over competition value a bit more than, say, the UFC.
posted by ignignokt at 9:20 AM on August 25, 2009


My understanding about the disagreements between Fedor's people and the UFC was that it was all about ownership of the final product. Fedor wants to retain at least partial distribution rights for the videos and other depictions of the bouts, and I guess that's not how UFC and Dana White roll. He also wants to do co-promotion, which is something that I guess is done in boxing all the time but not in the UFC.

Also, Fedor rules. It's useless to say whether he's better or not better than the UFC fighters until he fights them. That's why they fight.
posted by dammitjim at 9:22 AM on August 25, 2009


Re: the first link it looks to me like he took a right to the chin as he moved in, then collapsed; wish we had a slow motion replay though.
posted by R_Nebblesworth at 9:22 AM on August 25, 2009


Here: slow-mo version of the first link's fight: http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/01/25/fedor-vs-arlovski-video-thats-why-they-call-him-the-last-emp/ [warning commentary is a little over the top]
posted by R_Nebblesworth at 9:24 AM on August 25, 2009


christthelongtimelurker: Unfortunately, there's no instant replay on that link. What happened was that Andre Arlovski got overconfident and tried to land a flying knee on Fedor after pushing him into the corner with his successful front kick. Fedor, and anyone else who has watched Arlovski fight a lot, knew there was a pretty good chance it was coming, so threw basically a blind counter left-right combination. The left lands just before the fighters collide, and by the time Fedor throws the right Arlovski is unconscious on the mat.

You can see it if you watch carefully at full-speed. In slow motion you see a massive flesh shockwave travel across Arlovski's face as a large Russian fist collides with his jaw.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:26 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


Er...right, then left.

The commentary on that slo-mo video is over the top because it's delivered by Former Relevant Light Heavyweight Fighter Tito Ortiz, whose gift for rhetoric is surpassed only by that of his girlfriend, namely the dramatist and film actress Ms. Jenna Jameson.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:32 AM on August 25, 2009


MMA fighters are never dismissive of boxing in the way that boxers are dismissive of MMA.

There's at least a few instances of dismissiveness of Boxing so far in this thread. So it would seem your generalized assumption would fall over lopsided based on the overweighted arguments presented here.

Don't mind me though. I'm just in support of a balanced purview.
posted by P.o.B. at 9:34 AM on August 25, 2009


Wow, R_Nebblesworth, that different angle and slower play helped a lot. Thank you all for the clarification. I would not want to be in the ring with Emelianenko or Arlovski.
posted by christhelongtimelurker at 9:36 AM on August 25, 2009


Also, for those who aren't familiar with the sport, if the term 'flying knee' sounds like a glitzy Van Damme show-off move, you should view this compilation of flying knee KO's.

Please ignore music and crappy CGI intro.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:36 AM on August 25, 2009


MMA fighters are never dismissive of boxing in the way that boxers are dismissive of MMA.

There's at least a few instances of dismissiveness of Boxing so far in this thread. So it would seem your generalized assumption would fall over lopsided based on the overweighted arguments presented here.

Don't mind me though. I'm just in support of a balanced purview.


There are MMA fighters posting in this thread?
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:45 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


In Japan, sometimes freak show fights like this happen because the promoters prioritize entertainment value over competition value a bit more than, say, the UFC.

Well, it's not just the LOLJapanese. Witness Rodney King vs. a cop (it was going to be vs. Jose Canseco). And Jose Canseco vs. Danny Bonaduce. And Tonya Harding vs Paula Jones.
posted by dammitjim at 9:53 AM on August 25, 2009


There's at least a few instances of dismissiveness of Boxing so far in this thread.

Where? All I've seen are people making the pretty inarguable point that boxing is boxing and MMA is MMA.
posted by Bookhouse at 9:53 AM on August 25, 2009


There are MMA fighters posting in this thread?

There isn't any?
posted by P.o.B. at 9:55 AM on August 25, 2009


Whoops, sorry, christhelongtimelurker, I thought you were talking about a different fight.
posted by ignignokt at 9:57 AM on August 25, 2009


At any rate, I meant dismissive in a very literal sense of the word, as in "MMA is not a real sport," or "MMA fighters have no worthwhile skill." This sort of rhetoric can be heard from not just boxing fans, but boxers themselves, Floyd Mayweather being a recent example.

My point was only that, in 10+ years of following mixed martial arts, I've never heard a fighter claim that boxing was not a real sport, or that its fighters were not skilled.

Perhaps they have done so--but if they have, chances are it was a boneheaded response to a boxer worried about his sponsorships migrating toward organized cockfighting or Ultimate Warrior Tournament or whatever it's called.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:57 AM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


Fair enough. Point taken.
posted by P.o.B. at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2009


I'd be shocked if there ever existed a culture where Dana white would not be off-putting. Good on him for what he's done for the sport, but the man comes across as a serious tool all the time.

Very true. But I think that in western culture, people are willing to overlook disrespect if enough cash or lawsuits are involved, e.g. Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture. I don't know enough about Russian culture to know whether or not it would be a significant factor in Fedor's refusal to forgive and forget for $20-30 million dollars.
posted by ignignokt at 10:11 AM on August 25, 2009


ignignokt: I don't think this is a cultural thing... White has been incredibly insulting towards Fedor for a while now. I can only imagine what the negotiations sounded like as White has a history of strong-arming people to get what he wants and Fedor doesn't come across as the kind of person who is receptive towards that sort of thing.
posted by Loto at 10:16 AM on August 25, 2009


Nice to see Fedor make metafilter (although the OP really should have done her homework). That man has an incredible sense of balance, and almost inhuman reflexes (watch the way he check's crocop's kicks in their 2005 fight).

This is one of my favourite interviews with him.

And here's an excellent highlight (contains all his wins, with original audio).
posted by spacediver at 10:24 AM on August 25, 2009 [3 favorites]


There's at least a few instances of dismissiveness of Boxing so far in this thread.
...
Where?


The 'limited subset' is all that comes to mind. If that's the case, it's not meant to dismiss the skills of the athletes or of boxing in general.

But from the perspective of MMA, you give up a LOT if you follow Queensbury's rules - ground grappling, submissions, standing clinch work, throws, knees, kicks, elbows, unorthodox strikes ala karate. I can't think of a better term to describe this other than limiting.
posted by anti social order at 10:39 AM on August 25, 2009


Oh and FWIW any mma fighter you could name has trained boxing extensively to work on their striking and footwork. You'd be hard-pressed to find a MMA gym without a boxing coach. And there are quite a few cross-over MMA fighters that also have pro-boxing careers, although none highly ranked that I can recall.
posted by anti social order at 10:49 AM on August 25, 2009


Everybody's hugging!
posted by Eideteker at 11:03 AM on August 25, 2009 [2 favorites]


Nick Diaz is starting a pro boxing career. Arlovski's been talking about it, but I don't know if it's still in the works or not.
posted by ignignokt at 11:03 AM on August 25, 2009


Anderson Silva has talked about it as well. I wish them the best, but I can't believe the transition will be anything but very difficult.
posted by Darth Fedor at 11:09 AM on August 25, 2009


I apologize for the derail off topic. It would take to much space to state my assertions on the differences between Boxing, MMA, and fighting. So I digress, beyond that I believe it would largely fall on deaf ears anyway. If MMA is your thing, fantastic, keep rockin'.
That said I appreciate both sports, but I would never let anybody I cared about enter into Boxing. But if somebody I knew wanted to get into MMA I would whole heartedly support them and try to encourage them in the right direction.
posted by P.o.B. at 11:37 AM on August 25, 2009


You didn't stop me, P.o.B.! Are you saying you don't care anymore? I'm hurt!

I'm so writing about this in my LiveJournal you jerk!
posted by Loto at 11:43 AM on August 25, 2009


Damnit Loto! I thought you said you wanted to start Bo-tox-ing!

I mean, your face did look beaten up, but I just thought you were getting regular injections!
posted by P.o.B. at 11:55 AM on August 25, 2009


The simple fact is that there are many more boxers in this world than WAMMA fighters. As such, the quality of the fighters are likely to be in an entirely different league.

Saying he's the "best fighter in the world" is a dismissive joke. You can look at him and see that his conditioning and muscularity sucks compared to Vladimir Klitschko... he looks weak and flabby in comparison.

All you can say is that he's the best in his niche... and yes, it's a very different niche, with less depth-of-talent.
posted by markkraft at 12:04 PM on August 25, 2009


UFC offers far more opportunities for brain damage than boxing does. In the UFC, you can take a knee, elbow or kick to the head, and you can get thrown bodily to the mat head-first with someone on top of you.

Okay as a former boxer for a decade and as somebody who has actually trained MMA and Muay Thai for the last eight years I can tell you for a frigg'n fact that Boxing is infinity more inclined to brain damage than MMA will ever be.

It's not the fight you have to be concerned with. It's the training. And the variety of training one must engage in — the huge variety of techniques for each phase of fighting (Free movement p[hase, clinch phase, ground phase) with MMA make the opportunities for brain damage endured during training more minimalized than in boxing.

In boxing your conditioning and your punching a dude in the head. And that's pretty much it.

And there is the gloves. You realize that fatalities went up with the advent of 16oz gloves. They increase the likelihood of concussive force being distributed to the brain. They protect the hands. Not the brain. So guys can tee-off harder and longer. Gloves keep you pretty. And make you stupid.

In boxing there is really only one way to win. Knock out. Then there are lesser ways. TKO. Or the dreaded decision. In MMA you also have the tap out. So. There you go.

As for Fedor. I like the guy. But it won't mean anything to the UFC. The UFC, with the advent of Lesnar, is well on it's way to being a billion dollar freakshow that will probably shed any shred of dignity it once held in the HW division. The UFC doesn't care about having good fighter in the HW division. It's want's draws for the mouth breathers. And I can't blame them anyway. It the freak shows that make the payday for everybody else.

I don't even go to big MMA shows anymore. Not unless we have a fighter in them or a friend of mine is fighting. I can't stand the douche bag crowds.

I only go to grappling matches or Muay Thai matches. And you I never, not once, seen a fight break out in the parking lot at Grapplers Quest or at a TBA event. It doesn't happen. But Christ. You go to the Casino to catch King of the Cage or something and you are guaranteed to see a cluster of obese drunk morons (is that what call them? A Murder of Crows? A Cluster of Morons?) spiting on each other screaming "FAGGOT!" while they hurl John Waynes. I can't stand it.
posted by tkchrist at 12:32 PM on August 25, 2009 [2 favorites]


Video with slow-mo wouldn't play for me. 8:25.
posted by vapidave at 1:41 PM on August 25, 2009


Interesting thread. The post...y'know I'm no journal...man, but it might have been nice to interview the guy.
posted by Smedleyman at 2:01 PM on August 25, 2009


Wow. I normally have no interest in this kind of thing at all but he's in a different league. There are times in the fights where he looks like he's bored, just clinically hammering away at the opponent, and then something happens so fast you can't even see it on freakin' slomo.

I enjoyed the story about his brother hunting bears with a knife and fork too.
posted by unSane at 2:45 PM on August 25, 2009


Anyone who can make people think twice about messing with pudgy balding light skinned men gets a smile face and a star on the forehead from me.
posted by dirty lies at 3:15 PM on August 25, 2009 [2 favorites]


unSane: There was a special done a bit ago on him. One of the people interviewed was Bas Rutten who talks about how the expression on his face -never- changes during a fight. One of the many reasons he's called a cyborg. I can only imagine how unnerving that would be during a fight.

markkraft: I'll definitely agree that boxing has a larger pool of talent than MMA now but the MMA pool is definitely growing rapidly. Of course, having only one major promoter might change that. There also isn't the same system of amateur competition that boxing has which is a real shame. However, if you think Fedor looks weak you obviously have not watched any of his fights. He's definitely flabby but by no means is he out of shape.
posted by Loto at 4:08 PM on August 25, 2009


I think there are people in this thread who know more about MMA and boxing than I could possibly imagine.
posted by smoke at 4:24 PM on August 25, 2009


Jeeze. I sound like I've boxed for three decades in that post. Was typing and on the phone. Sorry.
posted by tkchrist at 4:39 PM on August 25, 2009


My favorite thinking man's fighter, btw, is Jeff 'Snowman' Monson. He's a heavily-tattooed former social worker who identifies as a pacifist and an anarchist. He's sponsored by AK Press. He was arrested for spray-painting anarchy symbols, peace signs and 'No Poverty' and 'No War' on the WA state capital building. And, incidentally, he thinks he can beat Fedor.
posted by box at 4:45 PM on August 25, 2009


Was typing and on the phone. Sorry.

Yeah right, Punchy!
posted by P.o.B. at 5:08 PM on August 25, 2009


Anyone who can make people think twice about messing with pudgy balding light skinned men gets a smile face and a star on the forehead from me.

Preconceived notions aside, I think this actually says something interesting about MMA in America. Boxers have always come from the ghettos, even before African Americans were allowed. Is it because of a larger dispersal of gyms generally reside in the suburbs? Is it because of the huge influx of poor, tough, boys from Eastern Europe as there is in boxing? Does it have to do with the skill set? Does the role of performance enhancers play a part in this?
posted by P.o.B. at 5:21 PM on August 25, 2009


...Anyone who can make people think twice about messing with pudgy balding light skinned men gets a smile face and a star on the forehead from me.

...One of the people interviewed was Bas Rutten who talks about how the expression on his face -never- changes during a fight. One of the many reasons he's called a cyborg. I can only imagine how unnerving that would be during a fight.

My favourite MMA clip is this fight between Fedor's brother Aleksander (who seems to have inherited the family cyborg gene) and James Thompson. The contrast in physiques is laughable.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k7KNl703g1mRh1GE0
posted by CaseyB at 5:25 PM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


This is a bit late and I might consider taking it to AskMe, but can anyone help with this MMA documentary I saw? It was one of the first times I’d seen MMA, and coincidentally the first time I’d seen Fedor Emelianenko.

• It stars a big brut of a North American.
• He’s got the big Neanderthal brow. It almost looks like he’s got acromegaly [think: Andre the Giant].
• His girlfriend has a drinking problem.
• He’s addicted to painkillers.
• He has a wrestling background.
• He fights Fedor in an Asian country. Korea, I think.
• In the fight the American is pretty much dominant, but Fedor gives him two or three elbows to the top of the head and the American taps out.
• The American complains to a judge that was illegal but was extremely gracious in defeat. He meets Fedor in the hallway and even congratulates him on one of his wrestling moves.
• Towards the end of the documentary he is with his girlfriend asking [begging?] people for painkillers. I think they were chemists or hospital workers.
• Then somehow he ends up in hospital [drug overdose IIRC] and in come two of his high school buddies and he starts bawling his eyes out.

Surely someone must know this documentary? I’ve obviously seen Fedor numerous times since, but can’t remember ever seeing the American in action.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 6:17 PM on August 25, 2009


Mark Coleman.
posted by tkchrist at 6:21 PM on August 25, 2009


The Smashing Machine.
posted by tkchrist at 6:21 PM on August 25, 2009


LOL at the youtube comments. I'll spare you the highlights.

Always guaranteed a laff, especially so when it comes to MMA. Who knew so many *ahem* homosexuals followed the sport?
posted by uncanny hengeman at 6:22 PM on August 25, 2009


Cheers, tkchrist.

4 minutes. That's been bugging me for bloody ages.

As a non fan - in fact, almost completely ignorant of the sport - I found that doco to be utterly compelling. I think I stumbled across it one day just surfing the channels.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 6:25 PM on August 25, 2009


After looking at the fedor highlights again I have a slightly different opinion. He's pretty awesome. He's one of the most powerful explosive fighters I have ever seen. Although I like frank mir, he would eat him up. One of the other most powerful fighters I have ever seen is Brock Lesner, who knows if brock is the real deal on the ground yet but that fight will happen in the next year or so, can't wait.


For the record most mma fighers are world class wrestlers, muy thai fighters, judo practicioners, and jui jitsu pacticioners. If a world class boxer started fighting in mma then you could start comparing boxing to mma until then MMA is far superior to boxing.
posted by LouieLoco at 6:36 PM on August 25, 2009


tkchrist changed that to this handsome looking gent, Mark Kerr, via MeMail. But it was the same documentary, and Mark Coleman featured heavily.

According to his Wiki he has never fought Fedor. I'll be stuffed who it was that kneed him in the head [yes, I said elbowed above but now that I think about it, it might have been knees]. I could have sworn it was Fedor. Definitely a non-English speaking Eastern European. Their "conversation" in the hallway was lots of hand waving and bowing.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:00 PM on August 25, 2009


Mark Coleman The Smashing Machine

Although Coleman is in that documentary, it's about Mark Kerr.

And as long as we're talking documentaries may I recommend Genki Sudo. (youtube in 5 parts)
posted by Sailormom at 7:05 PM on August 25, 2009


should have previewed
posted by Sailormom at 7:07 PM on August 25, 2009


You go to the Casino to catch King of the Cage or something and you are guaranteed to see a cluster of obese drunk morons spiting on each other screaming "FAGGOT!" while they hurl John Waynes. I can't stand it.

"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions." There's your next multi million dollar fighting federation right there.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:47 PM on August 25, 2009


Here is the Fedor docco. Surprisingly good and interesting.
posted by unSane at 8:42 PM on August 25, 2009 [1 favorite]


If you are going to bring up boxing, you have to mention the battle between Muhammad Ali and mixed-martial artist Antonio Inoki, which ended in a draw.

As you would expect, there's a lot of debate about the whole match. It is probably most remembered for putting its audience to sleep.
posted by eye of newt at 9:43 PM on August 25, 2009


Saying he's the "best fighter in the world" is a dismissive joke. You can look at him and see that his conditioning and muscularity sucks compared to Vladimir Klitschko... he looks weak and flabby in comparison.

All you can say is that he's the best in his niche... and yes, it's a very different niche, with less depth-of-talent.


I know you're really just being intentionally Trollish here, but I'll bite anyway.

I guess you're insinuating that the current pool of MMA talent is incapable of producing any fighters who are in good shape. I'm not sure if you're playing on stereotypes that 15 years old, or if you're honestly completely ignorant.

So yeah, 15 years ago, the first UFCs had a bunch of over weight, pony-tailed McDojo-trained ninjas and pot bellies brawlers. If you spent any time thinking about your comments, or researching your biases, you'd find plenty of shredded fighters.

Here's the thing that people like you don't get about MMA. The world's best fighters don't look like or fight like what Hollywood has led you to believe. So many people have a knee jerk dislike of MMA becuase it doesn't look like what they imagine "real fighting" should look like. There aren't enough elaborate block techniques, or spinning flying kicks. A lot of times it looks like the two guys are just hugging instead of fighting. Etc etc.

It's the same as some dumb ass making fun of soccer players for not picking up the ball and throwing to their team mates. Look, your ignorance of the sport doesn't confer some ability to understand it more than the fans or practitioners.

Yeah Fedor LOOKS schlubby, but he has beaten a lot of very intimidating-looking well muscled fighters. BJ Penn is another example of a fighter who doesn't look like a body builder. Well that's because MMA fighters are not body builders. A lot of fighter actually perform better when they're less defined. Just like professional weightlifters or marathon runners don't show a lot of obvious muscle development, neither do some MMA fighters.

MMA is not the weird freakish niche it was 15 years ago. I'd venture to say that it enjoys a bigger pool of talent, at least in the US than boxing does nowadays. I know a lot more people training in MMA than I do in pure boxing. Granted that's self selecting, but I think it shows a definite trend among young males. Similarly athletes from many disciplines are funneled into MMA. As mentioned above, MMA gets world class Wrestlers, Judoka, Kick Boxers, and BJJ fighters. Boxing gets world class boxers.

Yeah the two sports are different. Yes even the best MMA fighter would probably be a lackluster boxer in boxing rules. As said above though, if you took a pro boxer, pitted him against an MMA fighter, and had them fight in a no holds barred match. I would bet my paycheck on MMA fighter everytime.
posted by Telf at 12:06 AM on August 26, 2009 [3 favorites]


Wow, I butchered that above post. Sorry for the numerous typos. Here's a link to BJ Penn jumping completely out of swimming pool and landing on his feet.

He looks like some doughy guy you'd see working at a food stall, and he could seriously kick most people's asses.
posted by Telf at 12:13 AM on August 26, 2009


I just came here to say Fedor Emelianenko fucking rocks, Dana White sucks, boxing is only one aspect of an overall fight strategy, and the UFC does not have the monopoly on the world's best MMA heavyweights (though the pretty much do in all their other divisions).
posted by nudar at 3:19 AM on August 26, 2009


All I know is that whenever I think of the words Smashing Machine, I hear ABBA's Dancing Queen playing along with it.

That's not all I know, but its what is stuck in my head.
posted by P.o.B. at 3:44 AM on August 26, 2009


All I know is that whenever I think of the words Smashing Machine, I hear ABBA's Dancing Queen playing along with it.

All I know is that whenever I think of the words Dana White, I hear my brain talking back to me [Homer Simpson style] "where HAVE I heard that name before...? It sounds so familiar".

A few hours ago it finally clicked: Vanna White. [brain to uncanny: "Aaahhhh. Finally we can both rest, and you can get back to killing me with beer"]. As an Aussie who has never seen USA's Wheel of Fortune, it just shows you how famous that woman is, eh?

And since this thread is practically dead anyway, let me babble a bit more by saying, my "other first exposure" to MMA was a roundabout way via a Kimbo Slice video someone sent me. I quickly consumed all his youtube clips and was rather excited when I heard he was gonna go mainstream. Meh, didn't he turn out to be a dud?

What everyone said before about needing to be good across a number of disciplines.

And in parting, can I ask you all rhetorically if Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson was the most rigged fight evarrr?

//with the possible exception of Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:13 AM on August 26, 2009


I wouldn't use BJ Penn as an example of a typical MMA athlete's physicality and conditioning... his conditioning has almost always been hit or miss. One fight he'll be in great shape (UFC 101 was a good example of this) and then the next he'll gas out in the first round.

Brian Stann is a great example of athleticism. He who fights in the WEC (owned by Zuffa) with a decent record although his last couple of fights could have been better.
posted by Loto at 5:31 AM on August 26, 2009


yeah, but BJ was in great shape for the last fight against Kenny Florian. Did you see him jump out of the 3 foot side of the pool the way that everyone is freaking out about the foot ball player who does the same thing. Considering that BJ is probably 5'9 that is a pretty big feat.
posted by LouieLoco at 7:02 AM on August 26, 2009


I'd venture to say that it enjoys a bigger pool of talent, at least in the US than boxing does nowadays.

True. Most schools in the US have wrestling programs, and wrestling is the best base skill for MMA as the superior wrestler can dictate where the fight occurs - standing or on the ground. Few schools nowdays have boxing programs.

you have to mention the battle between Muhammad Ali and mixed-martial artist Antonio Inoki,
The rules of the match took away most of the mma skills Inoke had so rather than play the other fighters game (and take a beating) he went for the leg kicks. Ali couldn't use any other skills (not boxing then) so couldn't make an effective counter attack.

UFC does not have the monopoly on the world's best MMA heavyweights

I've always thought the best (as in most athletically gifted) heavyweights are in the NFL and the NBA. If you're 6'6" with good reflexes there are easier ways to make a living than being a pro fighter.
posted by anti social order at 10:05 AM on August 26, 2009


If you're 6'6" with good reflexes there are easier ways to make a living than being a pro fighter.

That's not exactly what I was referring to, but it is an interesting point nontheless. I was more referring to this: Sherdog.com's latest heavyweight rankings for MMA.
posted by nudar at 3:55 PM on August 26, 2009


I'm afraid to see Fedor fight in a cage. I have a feeling that many fighters who did well fighting in the ring (i.e. many PRIDE fighters) got rocked in the UFC because cagefighting is such a different game.

Or maybe they were just past their prime by the time they went over to the UFC - or maybe I'm completely wrong.

Anyone else have thoughts on this? Has Fedor even fought in a cage before?
posted by redteam at 7:19 PM on August 26, 2009


Fedor has not fought in a cage before, but I don't see it being a handicap for him. That said, I'm an unapologetic Fedor fanboy.

Also, I don't think there is a blanket "fighters who did well fighting in the ring (i.e. many PRIDE fighters) got rocked in the UFC" (maybe some of them initially). Look at Anderson Silva for instance. Took the middleweight title off of Rich Franklin in his second fight in the UFC and hasn't let go since (that said, Anderson is a rare talent and could beat anybody fighting in any environment). There are many of the big names from Pride currently doing quite well in the UFC. Dan Henderson is a middleweight contender, Big Nog held the interim heavyweight title for quite awhile, Shogun is challenging for the Light Heavtweight title in October (go Machida). Rampage turned down the title fight against Machida that Shogun now has, opting instead for coaching duties on "The Ultimate Fighter" guaranteeing him a punch-on with the other coach Rashad Evans later this year. Wanderlei has had only one win but his losses have all come to top contenders (but he, like big Nog, is starting to look a little past it). The big names of Pride are now some of the biggest names on the UFC.
posted by nudar at 10:06 PM on August 26, 2009


I watched that documentary (thanks unSane) and I was impressed with how much Fedor trains. All day. Seven days a week.

He does all this, but last year he only had to work for 36 seconds. It's the most incredible ratio of training to performance that I know of.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:52 PM on August 26, 2009


After watching that doc, the guy is a fighter through and through.

Fedor doesn't train to fight for 36 seconds. I have no doubt he trains to fight for the amount of rounds possible. Of course he trains to win in the least amount of time possible, but so does every other fighter. If you think about it though, there are plenty of athletes who do train for specific events that last a very very short amount of time. Some movements only taking fractions of a second.
posted by P.o.B. at 10:05 AM on August 27, 2009


"If you are going to bring up boxing, you have to mention the battle between Muhammad Ali and mixed-martial artist Antonio Inoki, which ended in a draw. "

I wouldn't *even* talk about the Ali / Inoki fight as being a "draw", because Inoki spent the entirety of the fight on the mat where he couldn't be hit, kicking rather ineffectively at Ali.

Really, it wasn't a fight. It was a great argument for the sport of boxing to ignore MMA.
posted by markkraft at 11:09 AM on August 27, 2009


"what you guys don't understand is, you guys are a dying breed....your sport is getting swallowed"
UFC colour commentatorJoe Rogan debates boxing promoter Lou Dibella on ESPN.

posted by nudar at 2:47 PM on August 27, 2009


I wouldn't *even* talk about the Ali / Inoki fight as being a "draw", because Inoki spent the entirety of the fight on the mat where he couldn't be hit, kicking rather ineffectively at Ali.

The Joke That Almost Ended Ali's Career.

Leg kicks are serious business. Ignoring them is also how Rampage Jackson lost to Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell lost to Keith Jardine, and Royce Gracie lost to Sakuraba. (Granted, these were a little more exciting-looking as they were delivered from a standing position.)


Back to Fedor, though, he has a physique like that because he's an undersized heavyweight that doesn't need to cut any weight to make weight. So, he eats typical Russian fare. But he can still run up the side of a mountain, hit things with a sledgehammer, and make it through a ten-minute round with Antonio Rodrigo Noguera just as well as anyone with a beach body.

I've run into plenty of chunky-looking dudes that can spar way more rounds than I can, so I'm not surprised.

Also:

- He's got a book!

First thing that I noticed about Fedor's book -- the dude is just nasty mean. The phrase "continue your assault" must occur about 500 times throughout the text.

- He runs a pretty interesting seminar, if you have a lot of time on your hands. Nothing mind-blowing, but lots of subtle pointers about boxing defensively and things like using your opponent's elbow to bridge out of mount. (You can get to the other parts by replacing the "part-1" in the URL with other numbers.)

- He is not afraid to wear whatever he wants.
posted by ignignokt at 4:09 PM on August 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


ignignokt - thank you so much for that last link. I just got over being very sick and that picture just made my day. He just looks so ... comfortable.
posted by redteam at 4:53 PM on August 27, 2009


Man walks down the street in a sweater like that, you know he's not afraid of anything.

Seriously, I want that sweater. The comments nailed it: "I think that sweater is a thousand times more appealing then any shirt affliction has ever made."
posted by nicepersonality at 7:01 AM on August 28, 2009


Fedor's book is a good read.

Besides Fedor and Alex, there's a 3rd son in the Emelianenko clan. Expect big things from Ivan.
posted by the cuban at 7:57 AM on August 28, 2009


I really enjoyed the seminar. The guy talks about fighting as if it's a math problem.
posted by unSane at 8:45 AM on August 28, 2009


Just thought I'd throw my hat into the ring.

Basically, Fedor doesn't have to fight in the UFC to prove anything. His resume - for the moment - is probably sufficient to carry him well into 2010 as the best heavyweight in the world.

The argument for Fedor signing in the UFC is that his fans simply never get to see him fight anymore and a UFC contract would at least have him on our screens on a semi-regular basis.

An ideal situation for me would be the Japanese promotions DREAM and Sengoku merging and then signing Fedor themselves.
posted by Geezum Crowe at 9:23 AM on August 28, 2009


The argument for Fedor signing in the UFC is that his fans simply never get to see him fight anymore and a UFC contract would at least have him on our screens on a semi-regular basis.

Yep, and the argument against was that Fedor signing with (UFC parent company) Zuffa meant handing them the keys to the MMA kingdom. With Fedor onboard, the UFC would have crushed every other promotion into a fine dust. Fedor knew this. And as someone with a significant share in M1-Global, Fedor knew that he would be gaining recognition/brand awareness in the States as a fighter (all under the control of Zuffa and the UFC) at the expense of his business/promotional interests with M1-Global. Hence the insistance on cross-promotion.

I was gutted when he didn't sign with the UFC last month, but I understand why he didn't do it.
posted by nudar at 12:12 AM on August 29, 2009


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