Details are slowly coming out, but Josh Gross over at Sherdog, who has had a very good relationship with Vadim Finkelstein in the past, has an excellent report on the situation including some details that we haven't heard yet. Let's get into them:
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Sibling Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc.
Headed by Mitch Maxwell
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He's a 34 year veteran of the entertainment industry, mostly on and off Broadway shows, theatrical shows.
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He struck the deal with M-1 while speaking with Vadim on the island of Sardinia. They two met through mutual friends. Maxwell knew nothing about mixed martial arts or of Fedor Emelianenko.
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Maxwell got an A-List team together and got back with Vadim in a few weeks, also obtained backing which I believe has yet to be disclosed.
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Fedor Emelianenko's dealings with the UFC
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He stated recently that he did not ever meet Dana White face-to-face. I feel like this is something a businessman should always do. Personally meeting with a potential employee is always good for business.
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Fedor stated in the article that Dana White's comment insulting the Russian representation by calling them "crazy" was a nail in the coffin in his mind.
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SFX Media & Events
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Fedor's contract terms
- A six-fight, two year deal that reportedly gives him $2 million per fight.
- He also received a $1.5 million dollar signing bonus.
- Grand total of $13.5 million dollars.
- If he remains with the company for five years, he would also receive equity within the company.
- Potential event venues
- Chicago was mentioned. If this is the case, I will be buying tickets immediately since I'm not more than a hop, skip, and jump away.
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Potential opponents
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Jeff Monson was mentioned in the article as Fedor's first matchup in February.
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Randy Couture was brought up several times. Obviously, it's a possibility later on, but for now, White insists that Couture will not be able to fight.
Although a matchup with Monson isn't exactly the type of highlight fight we were hoping for, it'll still be something I would be willing to watch to see Fedor in action. The contract is by far one of the best in MMA, and it also guarantees him money for his fights in the organization and he can go outside the organization to work deals on other fights. Unbelievable deal for Fedor.
The last issue I want to touch on is the fact that Dana White seems to have ruined his own deal to try to grab Fedor with his mouth. To be honest, I have been an advocate of professionalism in sports, especially if you are aiming your sport at the mainstream. Fedor has acted professional in every way possible during his career and it showed overwhelmingly at the press conference. My hats off to the class act that is Fedor Emelianenko.