The line has been drawn in the sand. Pick your side. Is UFC being the bully on the block, as so many MMA fans often think it is? Or are M-1 and Fedor Emelianenko being completely ridiculous? UFC claims it offered Fedor (doll pictured with abs!) everything he wanted except co-promotion. Ed Graney, the columnist from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, says it’s all about Fedor and his legacy:
There is just one sticking point that could decide if Emelianenko possibly goes down as the best MMA fighter ever or always is known as one who wouldn’t challenge the best opponents. Or as the guy who tested his skill against the world’s elite or who fought a bunch of nobodies for a bunch of money. This isn’t brain surgery. Do you want to go one-on-one with LeBron James or Kevin James? Do you want to want to bat against Tim Lincecum or Tim Burton?
Dana White says co-promotion is a ridiculous request from a company that has only put on several successful fight cards:
"It’s basically them coming in and saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got this guy, and some people might say he’s the best heavyweight in the world. ‘So for that, we want half of your business.’ Yeah, OK. That (expletive) probably works in Russia — not here. Let’s be honest: These guys are going to come in and co-promote? How the hell are they going to co-promote anything? We’ve built this entire frigging industry."
Graney goes on to say Fedor is desire but not needed. Is that true or is UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar just one in name until he fights Fedor?
