This is why his first fight has to be big. You can't give him a fringe top 10 guy as a warm-up, cause if he loses, it's over.Fedor would definitely bring a lot of views. Hopefully when he returns he isn't a shell of his former self.
We all know that if Fedor really wanted to Fight the best, he would had signed with the UFC the first time. Since he has lost to a MW Fighter, what some call a less-than-elite Fighter, and the current HW Champion, along with being a relative unknown, (except in MMA ciircles), his bargaining power is greatly diminished. Now, if he doesn't sign with the UFC, he will pretty much go down in obscurity (except with a small # of fans who cling to the myth).
Part of me says Fedor's legacy is intact. Being almost 39 years old, it doesn't really matter what he does at this point.
At the same time, I can't help but to think it does tarnish his career if he comes back and goes with Bellator over UFC. We know UFC has the best in the world currently and all of his losses are in that promotion. If he comes back, he needs to at least fight in the UFC to cement his career.
Fedor is dead to me if he signs with Bellator. DEAD!
Fedor has been fighting in bush leagues ever since PRIDE folded.
I can't imagine why any of you would want to see Fedor in the UFC years removed from his prime. Unless you are just a hater and want to see him lose, why would you want to watch the GOAT compete when he is clearly years beyond his prime.
Strikeforce was not a "bush-league" ..His 3 losses in Strikeforce are all to current UFC fighters ...one of whom is the HW champion. Not to mention Lawler, Cormier, Rockhold, Jacare, Mousassi, etc.
Don't be ignorant.