If Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) one day ends up in the UFC, a book could be written about the process it took to get him into the octagon.
Having high hopes that an agreement could be reached this week that would place Emelianenko in the UFC, the Russian heavyweight's managers -- Vadim Finkelstein and Apy Echteld -- returned to Europe Friday without a deal in hand.
Though the managing duo told Sherdog.com the UFC proposal, which was discussed between the two camps much of the day Thursday in Las Vegas, was far and away the most lucrative, they also expressed that several serious roadblocks exist that prevent them from recommending to Emelianenko he sign his name to the contract.
With other organizations -- K-1 HERO'S, EliteX, IFL, Strikeforce, and M-1, which Finkelstein and Echteld also promote -- willing to give Fedor what he wants in matters away from his wallet, the UFC's desire to lock in the PRIDE champion exclusively as well as the lack of a guaranteed deal could, in the end, see the PRIDE champion fight elsewhere, they said.
"The point about exclusivity, the point about his champion's clause, and the point of cutting off the contract are the basic things we have to work on," said Echteld. "At the end of the day we are not talking about stupid things. For us it sounds reasonable. We are promoting ourselves; we know how it is to work as promoter, so we think we know how to treat or how to deal with a champion. Fedor doesn't want to be compared to a nobody who is going to start fighting. He is already champion. That's it. We want to have a little bit more respect. I think the UFC has all our points and we expect them to respond to that, not that we have to push and ask for answers."
Having high hopes that an agreement could be reached this week that would place Emelianenko in the UFC, the Russian heavyweight's managers -- Vadim Finkelstein and Apy Echteld -- returned to Europe Friday without a deal in hand.
Though the managing duo told Sherdog.com the UFC proposal, which was discussed between the two camps much of the day Thursday in Las Vegas, was far and away the most lucrative, they also expressed that several serious roadblocks exist that prevent them from recommending to Emelianenko he sign his name to the contract.
With other organizations -- K-1 HERO'S, EliteX, IFL, Strikeforce, and M-1, which Finkelstein and Echteld also promote -- willing to give Fedor what he wants in matters away from his wallet, the UFC's desire to lock in the PRIDE champion exclusively as well as the lack of a guaranteed deal could, in the end, see the PRIDE champion fight elsewhere, they said.
"The point about exclusivity, the point about his champion's clause, and the point of cutting off the contract are the basic things we have to work on," said Echteld. "At the end of the day we are not talking about stupid things. For us it sounds reasonable. We are promoting ourselves; we know how it is to work as promoter, so we think we know how to treat or how to deal with a champion. Fedor doesn't want to be compared to a nobody who is going to start fighting. He is already champion. That's it. We want to have a little bit more respect. I think the UFC has all our points and we expect them to respond to that, not that we have to push and ask for answers."
