Fedor Emelianenko and Dana White : A Love-Hate Relationship
The Emperor has fallen. And his legion of supporters is visibly shaken. In truth, the world of MMA has been reeling after Fedor Emelianenko’s loss to Fabricio Werdum.
For the past decade or so, MMA fans have always regarded Emelianenko with an air of mystique. The enigmatic heavyweight has captured the imagination of people like no one has ever done before.
His undefeated record, prior to his fight against Werdum was certainly shocking, and legendary. Arguably considered as the best MMA heavyweight fighter of all time, Emelianenko was simply annihilating his opponents one by one .
The MMA world was left shell-shocked after Emelianenko’s unexpected loss to Fabricio Werdum. However, Dana White said: “I told you so.”
Before the loss, Emelianenko was deemed as the hottest merchandise on the shelf. After his days at Pride, he became the UFC’s priority acquisition.
Dana White made regular advances but was turned down by Emelianenko and his management team. Fans were delighted and annoyed at the same time.
Delighted, in the way that half of MMA fans hated the UFC monopoly and they did not want Emelianenko’s star power to become UFC’s tool for marketing domination.
Others, on the other hand, believed they are deprived of a worthy heavyweight fight, featuring him and UFC’s top heavyweight gun: Brock Lesnar (heavyweight Champion) and Shane Carwin.
Naturally, Emelianenko’s rejection of the UFC did not sit well with Dana White. The UFC honcho has been chastised loads of times for not being able to bring Emelianenko to his side of the fence. But White has been trying his very best, make no mistake about it.
In fact, the always-exuberant White has admitted that Emelianenko has become his obsession for the past few years - he sure can’t stop talking about bringing the Russian into his Octagon.
But at the same time, White has always refused to acknowledge “The Emperor” as the world’s premier heavyweight mixed martial artist. White has been very vocal about his thoughts on Emelianenko.
Perhaps irritated by Emelianenko’s defiance and his defection to Strikeforce, White has lambasted the Russian superstar, saying he didn’t deserve the respect shoveled on him. For White, Emelianenko is nothing but a fading champion who will soon meet his end.
White was right about one thing: Emelianenko did meet his tormentor in Werdum. But observers believe that this isn’t the end for Emelianenko. Of course, there will be a rematch against Werdum. And you can bet on your life that Emelianenko will be back.
If there’s one thing about Emelianenko, he has this inexplicable ability to defy the odds for so long. For over a decade, he has impressed fans, silenced the critics, and gained the respect of his peers.
Up until the Werdum fight, no other heavyweight had dominated his division as thoroughly, consistently, and for as long as Emelianenko has.
He may not be the best heavyweight competing today (Lesnar and Carwin far surpass him), but he is certainly the most accomplished.
Surely, Emelianenko deserves a bit more respect from Dana White. He has always been the perfect gentleman in and out of the ring. His rejection of UFC’s offers is purely business. Would you punish someone for looking out after his own interests?
Nevertheless, White has once again opened the door for Emelianenko. Because of his recent loss, there may be a softening on demands from his current M-1 contract.
And UFC might just pounce on that. No matter how slim the chances are, there is always the possibility that Emelianenko will finally decide to jump ship and end his fabulous career in the UFC if the money is right.
Nevertheless, White’s constant criticism of Emelianenko is not a good way to make the Russian superstar change his mind. White ought to remember that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. And Emelianenko sure is one big fly.
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