Some more details from Dana on the 'Fedor Meeting'

[Zodiac**]

Fedor being part of his own promotion, and not getting in exclusive contract with anybody was the best thing he ever did. He and M-1 even own their own footage, no way that would happen if he signed with Zuffa.

Furthermore, i personally tend to doubt had M-1 not existed (thus not holding a league of its own in Russia, since Zuffa obviously wouldn't want M-1 to exist separately as it does not co-promote) that Vladmir Putin and Fedor would be as close as they have been. Its not about money, who cares if he could have made more money under Zuffa or not; he got prestige, he became head of the Russian MMA Union and MMA became a nationally-recognized sport by the Russian government. If Fedor was a lowly employee of an American company, I doubt he'd get any such accolades from the Russian govt. He didn't during the PRIDE years, and wouldn't have in the UFC. M-1 was the right way to go.

It's also the best thing he because he would have went on another losing streak in the UFC. Finished 3 times and fired by Strikforce. Fedor is the biggest free agent bust in MMA history.

 

[lfd0311]

Oh Dana, you'll never understand that little thing called tact. Goes a long way with people like Fedor.

Dana was absolutely right, too.

 

[lfd0311]

This. Even when Zuffa made them a reasonable offer, it was too late. Dana had insulted them too much

YEah, it probably had nothing to with M-1 wanting to in essence become part owners of the UFC or anything...

 

[DhakaMMA]

It's also the best thing he because he would have went on another losing streak in the UFC. Finished 3 times and fired by Strikforce. Fedor is the biggest free agent bust in MMA history.

That's assuming if the people he lost to were already working with the UFC, which they weren't and didn't intend to until SF/Affliction both fell. There's a lot of factors you need to take into consideration if you're making What-If scenarios of historical revisionism.

I mean, Overeem was a DREAM fighter who only came to Strikeforce because SF and DREAM made a copromotion/cross-over deal. Since Zuffa doesn't co-promote, you wouldn't have seen him cross over (and face Fedor). Antonio Silva too would still be in Sengoku, since he switched to SF during the HW GP, which itself would not have happened if Fedor (and Overeem, who was K-1/Dream champ) didn't cross-over.

 

[ManiacTroll]

Classic Dana right there. "Everyday they lie awake and regret they didnt take the deal" Just keep repeating random moronic stuff over and over till he believes it himself.

Of all the concerns that keep Fedor up at night, not signing with the UFC is probably not one of them.

 

[eXtv]

Dana was absolutely right, too.

His 2 fights after the loss draw some of Strikeforce's record numbers on Showtime, both over 500k viewers. He earned big money, fought some of the best in the world, and then retired on a 3 fight win streak in front of his friends, family and President. In what sense is Dana absolutely right?

 

[skylolow]

Fedor being part of his own promotion, and not getting in exclusive contract with anybody was the best thing he ever did. He and M-1 even own their own footage, no way that would happen if he signed with Zuffa.

Furthermore, i personally tend to doubt had M-1 not existed (thus not holding a league of its own in Russia, since Zuffa obviously wouldn't want M-1 to exist separately as it does not co-promote) that Vladmir Putin and Fedor would be as close as they have been. Its not about money, who cares if he could have made more money under Zuffa or not; he got prestige, he became head of the Russian MMA Union and MMA became a nationally-recognized sport by the Russian government. If Fedor was a lowly employee of an American company, I doubt he'd get any such accolades from the Russian govt. He didn't during the PRIDE years, and wouldn't have in the UFC (if Putin didn't attend any of his SF/Affliction cards, he wouldn't attend his UFC cards either). M-1 was the right way to go; Russian blood, Russian soil.

Owning a part of nothing is nothing. M-1 struggles along is being nice about it. Do some research on it.

So how much money is Fedor making on his footage???? My guess is very little to none.


Fedor made his money and that is good. But no way did he make more then he would've made in the UFC. Also don't believe everything about how rich Fedor is. Yes he is very comfortable. But he wasn't making jack until about the last year or two in Pride and even then it wasn't anything crazy. He made more money doing his M-1 Global deal that paid him like 3 million up front. But after that he didn't make a ton each time he fought in Affliction and Strikeforce. I'd be surprised if Fedor since Pride has made more then 5-6 million from fighting purses. In fact you add up everything he has made since Pride and he might of made 10 million. If he kept his winning ways or at least went like 8-2 in the UFC he would've made much more then 10 million dollars. Not too mention M-1 would've benefited greatly from it also if they would've just gave up on the co-promotion.

 

[skylolow]

His 2 fights after the loss draw some of Strikeforce's record numbers on Showtime, both over 500k viewers. He earned big money, fought some of the best in the world, and then retired on a 3 fight win streak in front of his friends, family and President. In what sense is Dana absolutely right?

Well in America money is usually the top goal. So Dana thinks in money terms. He knows or at least feels very strongly that Fedor left a shit load of money on the table and so did M-1 by not doing the deal with the UFC.

I can see both sides. Fedor is happy and made solid money. Zuffa would've loved to capitalize on some Fedor matches.

 

[akutz1]

Not going to the UFC did hurt Fedors legacy and its funny how the Fedor lovers jusst assume Dana is 100% bullshit and every word out of Fedors mouth has to be the gospel truth
Russians?
Lie?
Never!

 

[Smigg]

Dana is 100% bullshit, no assumptions necessary.

All fight promoters are 100% bullshit, Dana is 100% bullshit, M-1 are 100% bullshit, Bob Arum is 100% bullshit, Don King is 100% bullshit. EVERYONE is 100% Bullshit.

The assumption alot of people have are that M-1 AREN'T 100% bullshit.

 

[tkotom]

Dana on the island of death with Fedor.

Golden stuff.

 

[BeardotheWeirdo]

YEah, it probably had nothing to with M-1 wanting to in essence become part owners of the UFC or anything...

M-1 made UFC an offer, they made every org offers to co-promote. You assume they wanted to be part-owners, but they co-promoted successfully with many other orgs, often with just a small M-1 logo in the corner to represent the "co-promotion", and they didn`t get half the profits from any of the events as far as I know. They certainly didn`t for their co-promotion on the yacht, or Yarennoka.

M-1 got 25 million people to watch Fedor vs Rogers. They have connections in Russia, and they wanted to help get UFC into Russia through co-promotion. If Fedor was going to fight in UFC then UFC needed to be big in Russia

There was this thing called the cold war, Fedor grew up in it. America hated Russia for a long time. Fedor wanted to help HIS people and be famous in Russia. UFC didn`t care about that.

They met to negotiate several times, and things that were asked for by M-1 at the beginning, were brought up by Dana over and over, because he didn`t want people to discuss the real issue. All the clauses that would`ve given UFC total control of Fedor.

Fedor would have needed to ask their permission to attend non-UFC mma events. He could no longer do combat sambo. With the matching clause and champions clause, Fedor would`ve had to retire if he ever wanted out of the UFC, and his ability to negotiate payment would be greatly reduced without the ability to leave, ever. He would`ve been obligated to do a whole ton of media appearances with little compensation. Give away his likeness rights for free. Or as he put it, he practically had to ask their permission to take a piss.

You`re assumption that M-1 wanted to co-own the UFC is ridiculous. M-1 co-promoted or worked with Pride FC, Strikeforce, Bodog, Dream, Deep and FEG (yarennoka) , and Adrenaline MMA (who changed paths and went with smaller shows, releasing Fedor in the process) and no one accused them of being impossible to work with, or of having unreasonable demands except Dana, the biggest liar in the history of sports. Dana has no credibility.

 

[Kind Herb]

How's M-1 doing now? When was the last time they even promoted an event?

Everyone knows that Vadim Finkledick is responsible for fucking everyone including Fedor and the fans. This is not new.

Whether or not you like or even believe Dana, he really has nothing to gain lying/bs'ing about this situation post facto.

 

[eXtv]

How's M-1 doing now? When was the last time they even promoted an event?

Everyone knows that Vadim Finkledick is responsible for fucking everyone including Fedor and the fans. This is not new.

Whether or not you like or even believe Dana, he really has nothing to gain lying/bs'ing about this situation post facto.

They have an event on live right now, lol I was just watching it.

Talk about timing.

Fedor is fine. Would he have made more money at the UFC? Probably. But Vadim's government connections in Russia got Fedor a super-cushy job being the President of the MMA Union there that will keep on paying for years. Vadim may be pretty inept when it comes to aspects of managing a fighter but he has helped Fedor in many ways.

Fedor's contract with M-1 was pretty big too. Guy never made less than like $2 million for a fight in which they were involved. He's set for life.

 

[BeardotheWeirdo]

How's M-1 doing now? When was the last time they even promoted an event?

Everyone knows that Vadim Finkledick is responsible for fucking everyone including Fedor and the fans. This is not new.

Whether or not you like or even believe Dana, he really has nothing to gain lying/bs'ing about this situation post facto.

Why would Dana keep meeting them if they were making crazy demands. Hes a busy man, he wouldn't waste his time if he thought they were as unreasonable as he says they are.

Anybody who takes Danas word over Fedors... why? What makes Dana a more reliable source than Fedor? These people must know nothing about Fedor and Dana.

 

[skylolow]

M-1 made UFC an offer, they made every org offers to co-promote. You assume they wanted to be part-owners, but they co-promoted successfully with many other orgs, often with just a small M-1 logo in the corner to represent the "co-promotion", and they didn`t get half the profits from any of the events as far as I know. They certainly didn`t for their co-promotion on the yacht, or Yarennoka.

M-1 got 25 million people to watch Fedor vs Rogers. They have connections in Russia, and they wanted to help get UFC into Russia through co-promotion. If Fedor was going to fight in UFC then UFC needed to be big in Russia

There was this thing called the cold war, Fedor grew up in it. America hated Russia for a long time. Fedor wanted to help HIS people and be famous in Russia. UFC didn`t care about that.

They met to negotiate several times, and things that were asked for by M-1 at the beginning, were brought up by Dana over and over, because he didn`t want people to discuss the real issue. All the clauses that would`ve given UFC total control of Fedor.

Fedor would have needed to ask their permission to attend non-UFC mma events. He could no longer do combat sambo. With the matching clause and champions clause, Fedor would`ve had to retire if he ever wanted out of the UFC, and his ability to negotiate payment would be greatly reduced without the ability to leave, ever. He would`ve been obligated to do a whole ton of media appearances with little compensation. Give away his likeness rights for free. Or as he put it, he practically had to ask their permission to take a piss.

You`re assumption that M-1 wanted to co-own the UFC is ridiculous. M-1 co-promoted or worked with Pride FC, Strikeforce, Bodog, Dream, Deep and FEG (yarennoka) , and Adrenaline MMA (who changed paths and went with smaller shows, releasing Fedor in the process) and no one accused them of being impossible to work with, or of having unreasonable demands except Dana, the biggest liar in the history of sports. Dana has no credibility.

Are you high???

Every org you listed failed for various reason. One being major money hemorrhaging. Which with M-1 dealings falls into that.

Bodog said working with M-1/Fink was a circus. All the way too the point that the ring was set up improperly. I forgot who had to come out and set it up correctly but it was someone not expecting and should've never been involved in the set up. M-1 then complained about all types of things with Bodog (ie: size of M-1 logo after M-1 already signed off on it being ok).

Affliction........lawsuit is enough said. Not too mention look at the crazy co-promotion shit with it that was brought out during court filings. It's tough to make money with that anchor of a deal. Tom has said numerous times they stick Affliction with crazy cost like flying an entourage of like 30 people privately for Fedor. One thing to bring some corner guys and managers. It another thing to load up your priest or whatever to come with you.

Strikeforce...Coker and his go too guy(name escapes right now) in various interviews after Strikeforce sold they implied with out saying it that deal was a huge money lost for them. The second in charge laid out pretty clear in an interview on Sherdog radio I believe saying M-1/Fedor deal was the biggest nail in the coffin and Showtime kind of forced it upon them. Showtime picked up a lot of the cost with but they got stuck giving up a lot of money in the process.


Adrenaline MMA....Monte Cox blew that deal up because Fink/M-1 couldn't get there shit together, simple as that.

FEG and DSG back in the day had little wars with Fedor and his people. Sure they worked through it. But that had a lot more to do with the people behind it all. You pretty do what your told or else.

So no not everyone has had the greatest dealings with them.

 

[BeardotheWeirdo]

Are you high???

Every org you listed failed for various reason. One being major money hemorrhaging. Which with M-1 dealings falls into that.

Bodog said working with M-1/Fink was a circus. All the way too the point that the ring was set up improperly. I forgot who had to come out and set it up correctly but it was someone not expecting and should've never been involved in the set up. M-1 then complained about all types of things with Bodog (ie: size of M-1 logo after M-1 already signed off on it being ok).

Affliction........lawsuit is enough said. Not too mention look at the crazy co-promotion shit with it that was brought out during court filings. It's tough to make money with that anchor of a deal. Tom has said numerous times they stick Affliction with crazy cost like flying an entourage of like 30 people privately for Fedor. One thing to bring some corner guys and managers. It another thing to load up your priest or whatever to come with you.

Strikeforce...Coker and his go too guy(name escapes right now) in various interviews after Strikeforce sold they implied with out saying it that deal was a huge money lost for them. The second in charge laid out pretty clear in an interview on Sherdog radio I believe saying M-1/Fedor deal was the biggest nail in the coffin and Showtime kind of forced it upon them. Showtime picked up a lot of the cost with but they got stuck giving up a lot of money in the process.


Adrenaline MMA....Monte Cox blew that deal up because Fink/M-1 couldn't get there shit together, simple as that.

FEG and DSG back in the day had little wars with Fedor and his people. Sure they worked through it. But that had a lot more to do with the people behind it all. You pretty do what your told or else.

So no not everyone has had the greatest dealings with them.

Vadim had lots of bad things to say about Bodog also. They had the show on a yacht. It didn't work so they fixed the issue and moved it to the shore. They managed to work out a deal though, which was my point. The whole thing was thrown together rather quickly, and without proper contracts between the two parties apparently.

Pride FC and Strikeforce didn't go down, they were bought out. Strikeforce's popularity skyrocketed after they signed Fedor and they got a CBS deal out of it. They were profitable, but the owners knew they could never compete with UFC and didn't think the profits were enough to keep fighting them, so they sold. They had many high priced employees besides Fedor.

Adrenaline blew up the deal because Cox was used to doing smaller events and didn't think it was profitable for them to pay Fedor that much. It had nothing to do with Vadim, according to Monte Cox.

Deep didn't go under. Dream going under had nothing to do with Fedor or M-1.
Affliction had a model that failed. Fedor received most of the money, but even without Fedor's pay the events wouldn't have been profitable, and they wouldn't have sold nearly as much either.


And that's all besides the point. They ALL worked out deals with M-1. Dana said M-1 s too crazy to work with, and they have ridiculous demands.Countless other promoters disagree and worked with M-1, despite Fedor's hefty price being too much for them, and Vadim supposedly being crazy..

 

[ReticentRomeo]

They have an event on live right now, lol I was just watching it.

Talk about timing.

Fedor is fine. Would he have made more money at the UFC? Probably. But Vadim's government connections in Russia got Fedor a super-cushy job being the President of the MMA Union there that will keep on paying for years. Vadim may be pretty inept when it comes to aspects of managing a fighter but he has helped Fedor in many ways.

Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, has a salary of only 6000 euros per month, so I can't help but laugh when you talk about Fedor's "super-cushy job that will keep on paying for years".

 

[eXtv]

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has a salary of only 6000 euros per month, so I can't help but laugh when you talk about Fedor' "super-cushy job that will keep on paying for years".

Not sure what you're implying. The job wouldn't be particularly taxing and it's a decent amount of money for someone already as loaded as Fedor to keep on earning when he can't fight anymore. It's a much better deal than almost any other fighter would get after they quit competing.

 

[D3thr0n3d K1ng]

Why would he have to fly out to a secluded island to make a deal?