Fedor Emelianenko has been released from his contract by Strikeforce.
That's the big news making the rounds after UFC President Dana White dropped the bomb following today's UFC 133 pre-fight press conference.
There's just one problem with that -- Fedor's contract isn't with Strikeforce, it's with Showtime.
This according to M-1 Global representative Evgeni Kogan, who spilled the beans to MMANation.com earlier today. Whether his prized client is fighting under the Zuffa umbrella or not, it doesn't affect the status of his contract with the premium cable channel.
And there are still plenty of options available for "The Last Emperor." Here's the word from Kogan:
Star-divide
"Fedor's contract is with Showtime. He remains a Showtime fighter, on a network which has been amazing to Fedor and the team. Strikeforce is not the only MMA promotion on Showtime. So there are a number of options for Fedor which will be looked at. And one of those is to work with the other MMA promotion currently on Showtime."
The other promotion that currently has a deal in place with Showtime is the very same organization Fedor has a minority ownership stake in -- M-1 Global.
Does that mean we'll be seeing Emelianenko back on Showtime in the near future? It most certainly sounds like a possibility, and the best one at that.
But is there enough quality competition available to draw viewers? Or has the former Pride king lost all his credibility in the world of mixed martial arts.
That's the big news making the rounds after UFC President Dana White dropped the bomb following today's UFC 133 pre-fight press conference.
There's just one problem with that -- Fedor's contract isn't with Strikeforce, it's with Showtime.
This according to M-1 Global representative Evgeni Kogan, who spilled the beans to MMANation.com earlier today. Whether his prized client is fighting under the Zuffa umbrella or not, it doesn't affect the status of his contract with the premium cable channel.
And there are still plenty of options available for "The Last Emperor." Here's the word from Kogan:
Star-divide
"Fedor's contract is with Showtime. He remains a Showtime fighter, on a network which has been amazing to Fedor and the team. Strikeforce is not the only MMA promotion on Showtime. So there are a number of options for Fedor which will be looked at. And one of those is to work with the other MMA promotion currently on Showtime."
The other promotion that currently has a deal in place with Showtime is the very same organization Fedor has a minority ownership stake in -- M-1 Global.
Does that mean we'll be seeing Emelianenko back on Showtime in the near future? It most certainly sounds like a possibility, and the best one at that.
But is there enough quality competition available to draw viewers? Or has the former Pride king lost all his credibility in the world of mixed martial arts.
