Fedor Emelianenko Says UFC Tried to Lure Him Away While Under Contract to Strikeforce

Heavyweight great Fedor Emelianenko, now 50, flirted with signing with the UFC on occasion, but ultimately never fought for the promotion, making his name in PRIDE and later competing for Scott Coker’s Strikeforce and Bellator MMA.

When Dana White and co. did show interest, Emelianenko has now revealed, it came while he was under contract.

In an interview with Ushatayka (translation via Red Corner MMA), Emelianenko questioned the timing of the White and the UFC’s offer. “I didn’t understand the point of his actions. He came over saying, ‘I want you to fight for me.’ He made that very clear. But one fight earlier, I’d been a free agent. I was free and they didn’t sign me.” The Russian was referring to his 2009 free agency following a win over Brett Rogers. He eventually re-signed with Strikeforce. “It happened every time.”

“When I’m free, they aren’t interested. When I’m under contract, the offers start coming, but if you’re under contract, you can’t sign another one,” Emelianenko noted. “There would be legal proceedings. While those were going on, I couldn’t fight in America. I’d be barred from competing. All of that was discussed then.” Among the questions, “‘If there were legal proceedings, would you cover all the costs?’” Despite that, Emelianenko had no intention on reneging on his deal with Strikeforce. “Obviously, I wasn’t going to leave. But at [Vadim Finkelstein, Emelianenko’s manager]’s request, we met him [White] and the lawyers. Honestly, I didn’t understand why. I think they just wanted to shut me down. They sign me, Strikeforce sues me, and I can’t fight for either side. That’s it.”

The man widely considered among the greatest fighters of all time went on to note that “there are different kinds of businessmen.” And he appears to have an idea of what type Dana White is. “Some are decent and respectful. Some people don’t even need a contract. A handshake is enough, they keep their word. But now Dana is talking all sorts of nonsense. First he wanted me, then he didn’t. Then he regretted it, then he’s glad he never signed me. The man talks and changes his story. He simply doesn’t stand by his words. His way of doing business doesn’t sit well with me.”

He also seemed to question those who consider White to be a legend in the MMA space. “A legend? If someone thinks he’s a legend, let them.”

Scott Coker told a similar story earlier this year, alleging that the UFC attempted to convince Gina Carano to pull out of her fight with Cris Cyborg, as well as trying to lure Emelianenko away while he was under contract. Coker later clarified that Fedor’s manager, Finkelstein, may have given the impression he was on the market. Still, Strikeforce had to issue legal notice to the UFC.

White stated during the UFC’s anti-trust trial that he’s no longer involved in contract negotiations with fighters.

The post Fedor Emelianenko Says UFC Tried to Lure Him Away While Under Contract to Strikeforce appeared first on Cageside Press.