Fedor to the UFC? Not as Long as Contract Terms Are 'Unacceptable'

I want to see Fedor take on Lesnar. That'd be a sweet fight to watch!!!

id imagine if the UFC gave Fedor half of what they gave Lesnar he would sign with the UFC today. And I doubt Fedor would anger the fans, sponsors and promoters in an attempt to make MMA look like a bunch of Vince McMahon buffoonery.

I honestly don't know if I want to see Lesnar vs. Fedor. I think Lesnar would stand a chance (if minor) of winning by way of shear force and weight, and if he did I'm not sure how much I could enjoy the sport thereafter. It would be a sad mark on Fedor's legacy and would be insufferable cannon fodder for the people who wage the eternal war against Fedor's reputation (Fedor deniers, if you will).

When Fedor retires, just think how many Russian sex slaves he'll be able to afford with the kind of money he's made. Especially since he'd be getting them at wholesale "at the source" prices.

Its easy to forget until you see an interview with Fedor how much differently he thinks than most popular athletes. I think its easy for us americans who are surrounded by the glitz and glamor of fame and money to lose ourselves a bit and sometimes forsake the idea of morality and humbleness for the sake of ego and pride in opportunities that we sometimes feel we have to 'better ourselves' in any worldly fashion.

I say all this, cause lately there has been such a stir about Fedor making his way to the UFC to fight Brock for the sake of what others might see as 'the better way'. Whether it has to do with money/fame/supposed greater challenges/etc. But watching that interview above, its seems apparent that none of that is a worry or even a thought to Fedor for the most part. Life is simple for him and I think he's happy and at peace. And for Fedor, thats good enough for him. He fights because he loves the sport, and past that, the hoopla that I think surrounds the UFC (i say that as a fan of the UFC) is of no interest to him.

The more and more I think about it, it seems as though in our minds we see no explanation for Fedor not coming to the UFC, other than the supposed crazy stipulations in the contract. But I just wonder if in contrast to the way the majority of MMA athletes view the UFC and seeing that as their peak to reach, its minimal in the mind of Fedor and something that he'd be fine with if it never happened.

Its a funny thought to think of those that will forever waste their energy on comments like, "Fedor will never be the greatest until he makes his way to the UFC and proves himself". Even funnier is to think of Fedor's lack of care on comments like that.

-Dr Phil

ya i can hear the gears of MMA come to a screeching halt if Fedor were to lose to Brock Lesnar. Everything that these guys have worked for would be thrust back to the dark ages if that were to happen.

accidental re-post. my bad.

You know what? I like Fedor as much as the next guy, but lets all take a step back.
He refuses to fight in the biggest venue possible because of the offer he's getting?
Come on. I'm sure Danas offering him a lot more than ten grand a fight, and this would be a way to get his name into the heads of all those new MMA fans that might not know who he is, because he fights for the shit ass companies that nobody watches. People can talk up how good he is forever, but he's not fighting the top competition. Step up to the plate and stop crying about cash.
But lets be honest....Brock would kill the guy.

@ AgentoftheBat:

I don't think Fedor's crying about cash at all. I think he's crying about things like exclusivity clauses, likeness rights, etc.

If I was Fedor, as soon as the word "inevitable" came out of Dana White's mouth, my price just doubled. Basically Dana's saying that sooner or later he'll 'own' the Russian like he 'owns' everyone else. I don't see the Last Emperor being owned by anybody. Fedor will just go back home and coach Sambo rather than being under Dana's thumb.

@Sjsurf

Yep, that was Ken "Least Dangerous Man" Shamrock. He even brought some old UFC belts to the show to make himself feel more important.

Humility and honor aside, one 'acceptable' offer from Zuffa and I bet Fedor is in the UFC. Meek but deadly Russian patriots like earning big scratch just as much as Minnesotan deer hunting wrestlers. The sticking point here is what is acceptable.

As far as true tests of one's ability in MMA, does anyone really think that The Last Emperor was itching to get at Big Timmeh to prove himself? What about Lindland or the Korean Yeti? Those were paydays, and there is absolutlely nothing wrong with that. If the price (and most importantly the terms) on a UFC contract is right, Fedor will be in the octagon.

If the UFC bends over backwards and Fedor still stays away, then I think it could legitimately bring questions as to his being the dominant HW in the world. I for one hope he does sign, and soon.

Speaking of old Kenny boy. Did anyone see this episode when the host dude (not Bas) asked Ken if he thought Brock was the new "World's Most Dangerous Man". And Shamrock instead answering the question and taking the lead into a conversation about Lesnar gets all pissed of and goes off on a tangent about how you can't just steal someones nick name. Once you have a nick name it's yours forever!

One point that Bas brought up in the interview was the aura of being the mysterious Russian and how it effects opponents. I think it also effects MMA fans as well.

One theory I have is that if Brock Lesnar were from some obscure Eastern European hellhole, didn't speak any english (have fun with that one), and had an unpronounceable name, he would be better loved by the so-called hardcore MMA fans. Still the same fighter, same size and fighting style, but different nationality and I believe he would have a Cro-cop like cult following.

Even his arrogance, questionable intellect, supposed homophobia, and bad temperament would be overlooked if he had that cold war killing machine mystique and not midwestern idiot vibe.

WAR BARNETT!!! i'd love to see attencio vs. DW also.. that would b well worth the ppv price!

what fedor could do better than anyone else is pick out a weakness with brock and use that to beat him. brock may not give him the chance and pound him out like he did mir but i doubt it. hes big and strong but i guarantee fedor knows how to beat him.

And if you don't think Lesnar can be submitted by Fedor you are truly a Mutha fu*& ing FOOL.

Amen, Soda Popinski. I didn't think his comments were worth a response, but I guess I'm glad someone did it.

"Carwin is very close in size so does that mean the shane should plow everyone."

If you look, Carwin is doing exactly that. He's undefeated, with eleven consecutive victories within the first half of the first round.

Fuck Fedor and his bullshit "terms are not acceptable" routine. What, you expect the UFC to allow you to fight for other promotions while under contract to the UFC? Right. Let me get this straight. The UFC invests tons of dough into making you a huge star, and you expect the UFC to facilitate another promotion to profit from your participation in a non-UFC event? What part of the fighting business does Fedor and his management not fucking understand? And don't give me this bullshit that "Fedor is already a huge star, so what could the UFC do for him". If Fedor was in the UFC, he would be 10 times the star he is now, and he'd be swimming in cash because of it. And somehow the UFC is the bad guy for not allowing him to fight in Sambo tournaments (which he frequently loses), and fight for other bullshit MMA promotions. Fuck Fedor and his management. Once he gets his head out of his ass and decide to understand business, then come talk to Dana. Otherwise, keep the "myth" perpetuating. And who knows, maybe Josh Barnett will beat Fedor's pudgy ass, then his stock value will plummet. That would be an interesting twist.

JPfighter = Dana White.

@PurplePickle
True, a language barrier might have helped Lunchbox's image. He'd also be more popular if he wore a muzzle. what does that tell you?
also the homophobia isn't "supposed." he stated it clearly once, twice, then went back to make sure it was recorded.
also also, Crocop doesn't have a "cult" following. he's a freaking superstar.

that is all

@ Sinanju is Back

I said supposed, because I don't buy the PC bullshit that is attached to the word.

As far as Cro-Cop's superstar status, the past couple of years haven't been kind. Superstar is a bit of a stretch as of 2009.

From my close and anonymous sources...

Fedor is concerned about his ability to continue to promote sambo in Russia as a healthy and non criminal activity for the impoverished Russian youth. His end goal is to use his fame and fortune to make his country better for future generations, goals that include building at least one large sambo/athletic training center. This will cost him a lot of money personally.

He has massive income through commercial endorsements in Japan as well as Russia. These endorsements use the very same likeness that UFC very much wants to trademark for their own gain. Keep in mind, the UFC charges 200k annually just for the right to get your name on a fighter's shirt or banner now days. So what will they take from a Japanese soda ad?

Fedor is also a VERY smart and savvy business man and understands that once he signs with the UFC, his ability to market himself or "build his own brand" is now the sole property of the UFC in perpetuity. He has plans after fighting for himself, his family, and his country that the UFC does not care about.

He is looking for a contract that basically allows the company to "rent" his image and reputation to use while he is under contract and then to relinquish when the contract is up. None of these "lifetime likeness" contracts the UFC requires of all of their fighters.

theres something about fedor, that seems very dishonest, i cant put my finger on it, but i think he puts on this whole show of being at peice with everything in the world, hope someday someone will find some dirt on this guy, but theres no doubt in my mind, he will beat up brock lesnar.

@Sinanju

So, if he doesn't care about the money, then sign to fight Lesnar. Simple. When somebody tells me they don't care about the money, my bullshit meter goes on high alert, and my internal translator tells me that they are really saying "it's all about money". MMA fans shouldn't pretend to know anything about the character or intent of Fedor. If it wasn't about money, the contract would already be signed and he would be here.