Bodog Signs Fedor for at least 1 fight

[Apotheosis]

BodogFIGHT has signed Fedor for a fight on March 3rd in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Rumoured opponent is Jeff Monson...lets see how quickly Fedor dismantles him compared to the borefest that was Sylvia vs Monson.

They have also signed his brother Alexander.

Source (http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=6250)

[Wigglyman]

Yeh apparently its in Fedor's Pride contract that he can fight for other organisation that put on a show in Russia.

But the true interesting point in all this is that Fedor has 1 fight left on his Pride Contract, and Bowdog has admitted they are going to try and sign him when the deal is over. Now will Fedor stay in Pride for the competition or go to Bowdog for the $$$ as it is owned by a Billionaire willing to spend?

Oh and so much for his Bro joining the UFC!!

[Apotheosis]

1 more fight after Shockwave, or is that his last contractually obligated fight?

[Wigglyman]

1 more fight after Shockwave, or is that his last contractually obligated fight?


I believe the last fight on his current contract is Hunt...

[Apotheosis]

Hmm, wonder if he will end up with Pride come this time next year.

UFC has a lot of money now, and Fedor would be a huge boost to their worst division.

Or Bodog which has a ton of money and has shown they like Fedor.

[Sever]

Pride almost certainly won't lose Fedor, they certainly won't lose him to Bodog - that company will never crack the worldwide market since they'll never be able to set foot in the US (their show absolutely reeked too) and the UFC won't even try to sign him. All companies say they're trying to sign big names for more than one fight, it's basic marketing, attempting to generate interest in the company
Fedor's doing this for a payday, and to perform in his home country, nothing more. He's fought in Russia under this contractual stipulation before

[Apotheosis]

What makes you think they won't lose him though?

Bodog has the cash and could presumably become profitable if they ignored the U.S and focused on the gigantic Asian market(Japan, China, India etc..) and the European market.

UFC is making a ton of money and they have been talking a lot abot bringing in new names and bringing "dream" fights to fruition. Obviously needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but when you consider the UFC's weakest division is their heavyweight division(which is historically the most important division in combat sports). Not to mention if they managed to sign some of Prides big name fighters the advantages would be three-fold. They get great fighters, could get a toehold or more in Pride's traditional markets, and they deal a blow to their main competition.

[Sever]

Fedor is Pride's flagship fighter, a man almost universally considered the pound-for-pound greatest fighter in the world. They won't lose him unless they're REALLY up the creek sans paddle due to the fact that they've got the money and the competition. If they were that hard up that they couldn't afford him or other top name fighters, they'd cut down on the production first. The only organisation that would be likely to snag Fedor from Pride would be K-1 Heroes since A) they've got tons of dough too and B) they're in Japan. Fedor and all top combat sport talent are huge celebrities over there, and make a ton off of endorsements and advertising - Fedor stops fighting in Japan, all that goes away
UFC will almost certainly not even try to sign Fedor in the four minutes his contract's up for renewal (Sakikabara will be in his locker room after the Hunt fight with a contract and a pen!). They've never made any concerted effort to sign top fighters when they're on the market, just a lot of talk, and if they DID sign him, they'd have to pony up yet more money to get more decent heavyweights to actually make him break a sweat in a fight, and we know how the UFC feel about spending money
As for Bodog, I've got to admit, I'd like it to succeed, but the owner didn't get to be a billionairre by sticking by a bad investment. Unless there's a marked improvement over the next couple of shows, I see that getting canned pretty quick

[Wigglyman]

Also I dont think Fedor wants to leave Pride, he seems to be a true fighter that wants to take on the best in the world and he knows that, the top talent in his division is in Pride.

[Apotheosis]

Fedor is Pride's flagship fighter, a man almost universally considered the pound-for-pound greatest fighter in the world. They won't lose him unless they're REALLY up the creek sans paddle due to the fact that they've got the money and the competition. If they were that hard up that they couldn't afford him or other top name fighters, they'd cut down on the production first. The only organisation that would be likely to snag Fedor from Pride would be K-1 Heroes since A) they've got tons of dough too and B) they're in Japan. Fedor and all top combat sport talent are huge celebrities over there, and make a ton off of endorsements and advertising - Fedor stops fighting in Japan, all that goes away

Good point about endorsements, but wouldn't that entice Fedor to move to K-1 Heroes? They have more money, would still allow him to get endorsements in Japan and maybe China as well.(Make no mistake, China is going to be the next big sports market)



UFC will almost certainly not even try to sign Fedor in the four minutes his contract's up for renewal (Sakikabara will be in his locker room after the Hunt fight with a contract and a pen!). They've never made any concerted effort to sign top fighters when they're on the market, just a lot of talk, and if they DID sign him, they'd have to pony up yet more money to get more decent heavyweights to actually make him break a sweat in a fight, and we know how the UFC feel about spending money

Well to be fair the UFC hasn't even been profitable for a long period of time, I don't expect them to sign a huge name when they are losing money already.

Now they have a ton of money, and they're heavyweight division is horrible. I don't really think they will sign Fedor as they have little reason to, but I do think Dana is going to make a few signings in 07 to boost his heavyweight division.(Also expect to see Rampage in the cage soon)


As for Bodog, I've got to admit, I'd like it to succeed, but the owner didn't get to be a billionairre by sticking by a bad investment. Unless there's a marked improvement over the next couple of shows, I see that getting canned pretty quick

Not quite, according to Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/billionaires/global/2006/0327/054.html) Ayre spends a lot of money on crummy businesses that make no money. Ones that he keeps funding because he believes they will make him money in the future(in the next hundred years perhaps, no way is the Lingerie Bowl, or a crappy poker show with celebrities no one has heard of going to be successful).

Honestly, I think he is probably a crummy businessman if that is possible for a billionaire. Sounds like he hit a home run with Bodog and has been striking out ever since.(Good things he crushed that home run though).

Also I dont think Fedor wants to leave Pride, he seems to be a true fighter that wants to take on the best in the world and he knows that, the top talent in his division is in Pride.

Yea, but if it comes down to money and someone else offers hima few million more could you really expect him to turn it down?

[neryo_tkd]

Pride almost certainly won't lose Fedor ... Fedor's doing this for a payday, and to perform in his home country, nothing more.

yes, i completely agree. i think PRIDE knows what the name Fedor means nowadays in the world of mma

[Wigglyman]

Good point about endorsements, but wouldn't that entice Fedor to move to K-1 Heroes? They have more money, would still allow him to get endorsements in Japan and maybe China as well.(Make no mistake, China is going to be the next big sports market)

Yea, but if it comes down to money and someone else offers hima few million more could you really expect him to turn it down?


Seriously I don't think Fedor is paid peanuts in Pride, plus as I said he seems to love the cpmpetition....I mean he beter not move and not deny us Feor/Cro-CopII!!

[neryo_tkd]

Seriously I don't think Fedor is paid peanuts in Pride, plus as I said he seems to love the cpmpetition....I mean he beter not move and not deny us Feor/Cro-CopII!!


they shouldn't dare, not even to think about it.

i'd love to see that fight, even though i'm not really convinced in mirko's chance to win. fedor makes it look so easy. :D

[Sever]

Fedor's going nowhere, kiddies (as thought it wasn't already obvious)

Source - Fedor's site (http://www.fedor.jp/index_jp.shtml?id=131)

Which translates to...

in an exlusive phone call and interview with the staff and webmaster of his official japanese website, fedor said the following:

INTERVIEWER: "You are participating in the russia vs usa event in march of next year. Does this mean you are leaving PRIDE?"

FEDOR: "No, thats not the case. In my fight i am trying to help my team to the best. And i am also fighting for my country and for my flag. The fact that this is not in pride does not mean that i want to leave. The negotiations regarding my future contract with pride are done!!! I will be fighting with pride in the future, next year, and the year after next. I want to make my fans happy, and keep defending my belt!

Whoo! :D