Will Fedor Emelianenko face Cain Velasquez in a one-time Russia vs America bout? – UFC Special
For years, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and M-1 Global, a Russian-Netherland mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, are brewing up a deal. The M-1 Global gave its proposal to UFC for a fight, which would feature a UFC
fighter taking on an M-1 Global fighter. CEO of M-1 Global, Vadim Finkelstein, sent a proposal to Dana White, the president of UFC for a possible bout that would feature Russian MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko and American MMA fighter Cain Velasquez.
According to an interview given by the CEO of M-1 Global, the fight between Cain and Fedor will be a onetime bout that will be held in Russia. The management of the M-1 Global is enthusiastic about the possible fight that would
put M-1 Global and its fighters on the map of UFC. The revenue prospects are also great for M-1 Global and UFC for they would be earning huge amount from spectators and the media.
Since both MMA promotions are big names in their own respective regions, it is expected that the bout between Fedor and Cain would be one to watch and one to remember. White has not given any confirm reply to Finkelstein’s proposal
but it may be a possibility that White may accept the challenge. The rationale behind White’s acceptance would also be related to the huge MMA market and audience in Russia, which UFC would like to enter. If the heads of both promotion companies enter into
an agreement for the fight, then the bout is expected to take place in 2012.
Before the management of the two MMA promotions can have a meeting to discuss the possibility of the event it would be two fighters who would have to give their approval for the one-time fight. Emelianenko, nicknamed The Last Emperor,
has won thirty-two fights in his MMA career with four losses and none of his fights ended in a draw.
On the other hand, Velasquez has won nine fights with a single loss and no draw. For Emelianenko, the home ground advantage will be the most significant factor in the bout. He would get his strong backing by his thirty-two match
wins, an intimidating factor for Velasquez. From a promotional point of view, UFC may agree for the bout to happen, but then again, White would think the impact on UFC’s status if Velasquez loses to Emelianenko.
White would not want UFC’s name to get tarnished in Russia. At the same time, Velasquez would have second thoughts before accepting the bout against Emelianenko as the Russian has a better MMA career statistics than the American
has. For the time being, the invitation from Russia hangs in the balance. Nothing can be said with surety, as it is a possibility that UFC may decline the offer.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and have nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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