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In the wake of Affliction's demise, what will happen to Fedor Emelianenko? Widely regarded as the world's best heavyweight and among the very best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Emelianenko is now, for the time being, homeless.
Persistent rumors place the UFC in ownership of Affliction fighter contracts, but sources close to Emelianenko state that they believe he has fulfilled his contract despite the failure of Affliction to host the "Trilogy" event. Lawyers are currently pouring over the contract to see what Emelianenko's options are.
If, Emelianenko is a free agent, as those close to him insist, then he's got options:
RETIREMENT: That's right. The greatest mixed martial artist in history can retire. Reports out of Emelianenko's camp have insisted that the champion no longer trains as he once did just a couple of years ago. He's become much more spiritually involved with his Orthodox Russian church; going so far as to change the name of his fight camp from the Red Devil's to the Russian Imperial Team. He's made a ton of money and enjoys a simple lifestyle. All that said, while Emelianenko certainly has reasons and the option to do so, retirement is the least likely scenario according to multiple sources close to the fighter.
JAPAN: Emelianenko can return to Japan, where he's wildly popular, having gotten his start with the now defunct Rings and Pride promotions. He's publicly voiced a strong affinity for the Japanese and sincerely enjoys fighting on the large island. All but 7 of his 32 professional fights have been held in Japan and Emelianenko could enjoy the rest of his career being absolutely worshiped by adoring Japanese fans while taking out freak-shows and sub par competition with ease. He won't make as much money as he could elsewhere, but this remains a possibility.
UFC: He can go to the UFC where he'll have to adapt to the cage and put up with a more restrictive contract, but the payoff is a much higher salary and bigger challenges; such as Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture among others. Dana White and Fertitta's have long coveted the quite Russian with the big right hand, despite what they claim publicly, and if rumors that they've acquired Afflictions contracts are accurate, they may have legal footing to a one-fight deal with Emelianenko already in tow.
Strikeforce: Sources close to the fighter have informed FiveKnuckles.com that Strikeforce were in talks with Affliction, M-1 Global and Golden Boy promotions on a long term deal with Emelianenko with in the last couple of days. The promotion reportedly offered the former Pride champion between 500,000 and 700,000 per fight, a non-exclusive contract, guaranteed exposure on CBS shows and a cut of any PPV event he was a part of. Emelianenko would certainly be able to get maximum mainstream U.S. exposure via CBS and Showtime which could lead possible big money endorsement deals and he'd also get to enjoy the freedoms associated with Strikeforce's non-exclusive contracts. This scenario is considered a strong possibility if Emelianenko is indeed a free agent according to inside sources.
Rumors are flying right now, so it's difficult to know exactly how all of this will play out. Sources have stated that Emelianenko's management contract allows him to brake his management contract if he's not put into a certain number of fights each year, and that may also be a possibility how unlikely it seems given his strong relationship to Vadim Finklestein and the rest of his management team at M-1.
Emelianenko is currently en route to California, according to M-1 officials, and will be making a statement regarding the situation by soon after his arrival, which should shed more light on the situation.
We'll have that for you as soon as it becomes available.
http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news...pens-next.html
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I've always wondered if he would fall in line like most athletes do eventually with not training quite as hard as when they were younger; either because of wear and tear, the good life, change of perception, or all. But, I'm not sure how reliable the source is. One thing is for sure; you cannot beat Father-Time.
Persistent rumors place the UFC in ownership of Affliction fighter contracts, but sources close to Emelianenko state that they believe he has fulfilled his contract despite the failure of Affliction to host the "Trilogy" event. Lawyers are currently pouring over the contract to see what Emelianenko's options are.
If, Emelianenko is a free agent, as those close to him insist, then he's got options:
RETIREMENT: That's right. The greatest mixed martial artist in history can retire. Reports out of Emelianenko's camp have insisted that the champion no longer trains as he once did just a couple of years ago. He's become much more spiritually involved with his Orthodox Russian church; going so far as to change the name of his fight camp from the Red Devil's to the Russian Imperial Team. He's made a ton of money and enjoys a simple lifestyle. All that said, while Emelianenko certainly has reasons and the option to do so, retirement is the least likely scenario according to multiple sources close to the fighter.
JAPAN: Emelianenko can return to Japan, where he's wildly popular, having gotten his start with the now defunct Rings and Pride promotions. He's publicly voiced a strong affinity for the Japanese and sincerely enjoys fighting on the large island. All but 7 of his 32 professional fights have been held in Japan and Emelianenko could enjoy the rest of his career being absolutely worshiped by adoring Japanese fans while taking out freak-shows and sub par competition with ease. He won't make as much money as he could elsewhere, but this remains a possibility.
UFC: He can go to the UFC where he'll have to adapt to the cage and put up with a more restrictive contract, but the payoff is a much higher salary and bigger challenges; such as Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture among others. Dana White and Fertitta's have long coveted the quite Russian with the big right hand, despite what they claim publicly, and if rumors that they've acquired Afflictions contracts are accurate, they may have legal footing to a one-fight deal with Emelianenko already in tow.
Strikeforce: Sources close to the fighter have informed FiveKnuckles.com that Strikeforce were in talks with Affliction, M-1 Global and Golden Boy promotions on a long term deal with Emelianenko with in the last couple of days. The promotion reportedly offered the former Pride champion between 500,000 and 700,000 per fight, a non-exclusive contract, guaranteed exposure on CBS shows and a cut of any PPV event he was a part of. Emelianenko would certainly be able to get maximum mainstream U.S. exposure via CBS and Showtime which could lead possible big money endorsement deals and he'd also get to enjoy the freedoms associated with Strikeforce's non-exclusive contracts. This scenario is considered a strong possibility if Emelianenko is indeed a free agent according to inside sources.
Rumors are flying right now, so it's difficult to know exactly how all of this will play out. Sources have stated that Emelianenko's management contract allows him to brake his management contract if he's not put into a certain number of fights each year, and that may also be a possibility how unlikely it seems given his strong relationship to Vadim Finklestein and the rest of his management team at M-1.
Emelianenko is currently en route to California, according to M-1 officials, and will be making a statement regarding the situation by soon after his arrival, which should shed more light on the situation.
We'll have that for you as soon as it becomes available.
http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news...pens-next.html
.................................................. ...............................................
Reports out of Emelianenko's camp have insisted that the champion no longer trains as he once did just a couple of years ago
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