White blasts 'joke' Fedor

DANA WHITE has savaged Fedor Emelianenko's decision to snub a deal with the UFC in favour of joining rivals Strikeforce.
The UFC president was locked in talks with The Last Emperor and representatives from Russian promotion M1-Global after the collapse of Affliction left him a free agent.

But even after White reportedly offered Emelianenko a five-fight, £2million-a-bout contract and agreed to let him continue to compete in Sambo tournaments in his native Russia, a deal could still not be reached.

The UFC say that the stumbling block was M1-Global's insistence on co-promoting events Emelianenko took part in.

The breakdown in talks has seen the 32-year-old pen terms on a three-fight deal with Strikeforce, with his cage debut set for later this year.

And the former Pride champion's actions have left White fuming.

Speaking to mmaweekly.com, he said: "Fedor is a f***ing joke.

"He turns down a huge deal and the opportunity to face the best in the world to fight nobodies for no money!

"How are they [M1-Global] going to help us co-promote?

"They're going to help us? That s*** might work in Russia [but] not here.

"How do you deal with something like this?

"We did everything possible for this deal. We didn't hold back. It's crazy to turn down a deal like this.

"We went above and beyond. We have been able to sign the best fighters in the world over the last 10 years, so to not be able to sign this guy [wasn't our fault]."

White added: "I feel sorry for the real fight fans.

"I wanted to make the deal, but it takes two and it is VERY obvious Fedor doesn't want to fight the best and doesn't give a s*** about the fans."

But Joost Raimond, Chief Operating Officer for M1-Global, revealed he is delighted with the deal his company and Emelianenko have signed with Strikeforce.

Raimond said: "It was a good opportunity. The co-promotion is a substantial part.

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"The whole set-up for the deal is to have co-promotion partners, and of course Fedor is an important part of that construction.

"But the co-promotion deal is of great importance.

"The financials behind his deal are based on a large number of factors, which include the co-promotion and co-branding activities, and Fedor is a part of that total deal."

Emelianenko added: "I am looking forward to going back to work and fighting at the highest level."

The Russian is widely regarded as the best heavyweight fighter on the planet and has been courted by the UFC for several years.

He has a 30-1-1 professional MMA record and counts former UFC stars Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia as his most recent scalps.


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