Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce, and M-1 Global may be headed to pay-per-view.
With Fedor's next fight in the United States just two weeks away, everyone is already curious about when he might fight again or what the status is between Strikeforce and M-1 Global. For now there's at least one more fight planned, and it's likely to end up on pay-per-view.
That's the word from M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan, who spoke with MMAWeekly on Tuesday about the company's plans for Fedor and Strikeforce.
"Following this fight now we have one more fight on the cards," Kogan said. "That's the future for now, there's one more fight following the June 26 fight and that fight is more likely than not on pay-per-view."
Of course M-1 Global promotes several fighters, but one thing is guaranteed when and if that pay-per-view happens. Fedor Emelianenko will be leading the charge.
"That is a fight for Fedor that is co-promotion by M-1 Global and Strikeforce," Kogan stated.
Fedor's primary focus right now is on Fabricio Werdum and their fight on June 26, but a title shot against Alistair Overeem could be just the pay-per-view draw that Strikeforce and M-1 Global could be looking for. The only question right now is timing, and Kogan says he can't guarantee anything like that right now.
"It depends on what happens during this fight. It depends on health issues, and whatever else following this fight. It depends also by other factors, so I don't want to tell you something and not have it happen," said Kogan. "It's possible, it's not unlikely, but I wouldn't say I'd guarantee that it happens in 2010."
Still carrying the WAMMA heavyweight title, Kogan believes Fedor is already a champion, but if Strikeforce choose to put him up against their heavyweight title holder Alistair Overeem, they will gladly accept that fight.
"If that is what is offered, Fedor nor his management, we will not turn down fights. If that's what is offered, it's what we'll be taking," Kogan said about a potential bout with Overeem.
Kogan stands by the fact that up till now Fedor and M-1 have never been offered a fight with Alistair Overeem, but the Russian legend won't turn down a fight against anybody. Ultimately, they leave it in the hands of their partners at Strikeforce and Showtime.
"If that is something that is put in front of us by the matchmakers at Strikeforce, and that is something that our partners Showtime bring to us, then that is something that we will take," Kogan stated about a title fight.
First up on the agenda is the bout against Fabricio Werdum, but following that fight assuming Fedor wins, it could set up a showdown between the former Pride champion and Strikeforce heavyweight king Alistair Overeem on pay-per-view.
-Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
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