"Emelianenko, at the moment is a very busy athlete, we talked to him and decided that we should not exit in this manner. Fedor is healthy and full of strength, he is ready to fight. Fedor is 34 years old. This is the best peak for heavyweight fighters. Emelianenko can fight for 5 more years at a high level, for him, this is just the beginning. He has no big injuries, and because of that, it would be incorrect to stop now."
"We want to make a fight in Russia. We started working towards this. If all goes well, in the fall, we will organize a show in Moscow or in St. Petersburg, where Fedor's fight will be the main event...We are organizing this fight with our own resources. Now, on the market, we have no one to work with. Strikeforce slowly but surely is dying, under the direction of their new owners, Zuffa. All the problems with firing fighter and changes and other things — this is all the work of Dana White. He cannot close the company, but he can create all conditions for that to happen soon. In my opinion, he is doing that well. We are determined to follow our own way, develop under our own direction. Showtime will be a partner. Americans are ready to support us and show Fedor's Russian fight. - For complete interview visit MixedMartialArts.com (via Championat.com)
M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelstein's projected outlook for Strikeforce is grim. "Business as usual" has been rough for the promotion's employees as of late. Following some hefty layoffs within the administrative circle, including, but not limited to, Scott Coker's right-hand man and former matchmaker Rich Chou, several high-profile fighters were released, such as Alistair Overeem and Marloes Coenen. Also cut from the organization was MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko, who has since announced his intentions to fight on outside of the promotion.
Finkelstein reaffirmed Emelianenko's decision not to retire, insisting the Russian has at least five more competitive years left in him. In regards to his fighting future, Finkelstein appears confident that "The Last Emperor" will soon be headlining a card in his home country of Russia, which will likely be broadcast on the Showtime network.
"We want to make a fight in Russia. We started working towards this. If all goes well, in the fall, we will organize a show in Moscow or in St. Petersburg, where Fedor's fight will be the main event...We are organizing this fight with our own resources. Now, on the market, we have no one to work with. Strikeforce slowly but surely is dying, under the direction of their new owners, Zuffa. All the problems with firing fighter and changes and other things — this is all the work of Dana White. He cannot close the company, but he can create all conditions for that to happen soon. In my opinion, he is doing that well. We are determined to follow our own way, develop under our own direction. Showtime will be a partner. Americans are ready to support us and show Fedor's Russian fight. - For complete interview visit MixedMartialArts.com (via Championat.com)
M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelstein's projected outlook for Strikeforce is grim. "Business as usual" has been rough for the promotion's employees as of late. Following some hefty layoffs within the administrative circle, including, but not limited to, Scott Coker's right-hand man and former matchmaker Rich Chou, several high-profile fighters were released, such as Alistair Overeem and Marloes Coenen. Also cut from the organization was MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko, who has since announced his intentions to fight on outside of the promotion.
Finkelstein reaffirmed Emelianenko's decision not to retire, insisting the Russian has at least five more competitive years left in him. In regards to his fighting future, Finkelstein appears confident that "The Last Emperor" will soon be headlining a card in his home country of Russia, which will likely be broadcast on the Showtime network.
