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The major news in the mixed martial arts world right now is the intestinal issues and subsequent surgery of UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar has been through in recent days. At this time, the champion’s status certainly has to be listed as “Out Indefinitely.”
A potential interim title
While talks are apparently underway for a potential interim title bout between undefeated contenders Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez, one name that surprisingly hasn’t come up in all these talks is that of “The Last Emperor,” Fedor Emelianenko.
It wasn’t that long ago that the best heavyweight in the sport was a free agent -- and many believed that the prayers of fight fans worldwide would be answered with the Russian icon joining the UFC and answering his critics by taking on the best collection of heavyweights any organization could offer.
Strikeforce scored with Fedor
Of course, negotiations came to a grinding halt and the customary Dana White war of words ensued between the UFC president and Emelianenko’s management team. Meanwhile, Strikeforce swooped in and signed away the Soviet star, pulling 5.5 million viewers to CBS for his debut victory over Brett Rogers earlier in the month.
But what if the fight game was like those books you read as a kid where you could pick your own path? Where every time you went to the wrong page, you could turn back and take the alternate route until you found an outcome that fit? What if the UFC could go back and bring Fedor into the fold?
Though bringing in the iconic former Pride Champion couldn’t have prevented Lesnar’s recent rash of illnesses, the UFC would have a proven superstar sitting in waiting, ready to take part in main events that actually deserve top billing and a fighter with an unquestionable track record to claim the throne Lesnar will most assuredly be forced to vacate.
No disrespect to Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez or the handful of other fighters who could make a legitimate case for title contention, but there would be no question of who inherits the crown if Fedor was in the fold.
Unfortunately for fight fans, that can’t happen, at least not yet.
When Fedor is on the market again
For right now, the UFC will continue to explore its options (be it an interim title as has been created before or taking a far less conventional approach to solving its heavyweight and main event questions simultaneously), while Fedor faces some combination of Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Alistair Overeem over the final two fights of his Strikeforce contract.
Depending on how quickly Scott Coker and company get their uncrowned champion back into the cage, Fedor could potentially be back on the open market inside two years time.
At that point, who knows where the UFC Heavyweight division will be. But regardless of where things stand within his own company, should Dana White set aside his ego and emotions to give Fedor the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage in the business?
Better yet, should White stop talking trash about Strikeforce and start talking copromotion or conglomeration -- two ideas that could potentially benefit both outfits?
The UFC is the Ultimate
Every organization that has gone toe-to-toe with the UFC has gone the way of the dinosaur, from Pride to EliteXC to Affliction, and while Strikeforce certainly looks to have a solid structure in place, joining forces might make more sense than coming up on the wrong side of an MMA war.
For the UFC, they would gain access to a collection of emerging fighters and top-tier talent that they have yet to reach, including Gegard Mousasi, Jake Shields and “King Mo” Lawal, not to mention Fedor.
What fans dream of
Fight fans have always longed for a time when all the best fighters in the business operated under one roof, and a pairing between the two organizations would certainly bring that dream closer to reality.
Ultimately, the questions moving forward for the UFC are numerous and we want to know what you would do:
A potential interim title
While talks are apparently underway for a potential interim title bout between undefeated contenders Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez, one name that surprisingly hasn’t come up in all these talks is that of “The Last Emperor,” Fedor Emelianenko.
It wasn’t that long ago that the best heavyweight in the sport was a free agent -- and many believed that the prayers of fight fans worldwide would be answered with the Russian icon joining the UFC and answering his critics by taking on the best collection of heavyweights any organization could offer.
Strikeforce scored with Fedor
Of course, negotiations came to a grinding halt and the customary Dana White war of words ensued between the UFC president and Emelianenko’s management team. Meanwhile, Strikeforce swooped in and signed away the Soviet star, pulling 5.5 million viewers to CBS for his debut victory over Brett Rogers earlier in the month.
But what if the fight game was like those books you read as a kid where you could pick your own path? Where every time you went to the wrong page, you could turn back and take the alternate route until you found an outcome that fit? What if the UFC could go back and bring Fedor into the fold?
Though bringing in the iconic former Pride Champion couldn’t have prevented Lesnar’s recent rash of illnesses, the UFC would have a proven superstar sitting in waiting, ready to take part in main events that actually deserve top billing and a fighter with an unquestionable track record to claim the throne Lesnar will most assuredly be forced to vacate.
No disrespect to Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez or the handful of other fighters who could make a legitimate case for title contention, but there would be no question of who inherits the crown if Fedor was in the fold.
Unfortunately for fight fans, that can’t happen, at least not yet.
When Fedor is on the market again
For right now, the UFC will continue to explore its options (be it an interim title as has been created before or taking a far less conventional approach to solving its heavyweight and main event questions simultaneously), while Fedor faces some combination of Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Alistair Overeem over the final two fights of his Strikeforce contract.
Depending on how quickly Scott Coker and company get their uncrowned champion back into the cage, Fedor could potentially be back on the open market inside two years time.
At that point, who knows where the UFC Heavyweight division will be. But regardless of where things stand within his own company, should Dana White set aside his ego and emotions to give Fedor the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage in the business?
Better yet, should White stop talking trash about Strikeforce and start talking copromotion or conglomeration -- two ideas that could potentially benefit both outfits?
The UFC is the Ultimate
Every organization that has gone toe-to-toe with the UFC has gone the way of the dinosaur, from Pride to EliteXC to Affliction, and while Strikeforce certainly looks to have a solid structure in place, joining forces might make more sense than coming up on the wrong side of an MMA war.
For the UFC, they would gain access to a collection of emerging fighters and top-tier talent that they have yet to reach, including Gegard Mousasi, Jake Shields and “King Mo” Lawal, not to mention Fedor.
What fans dream of
Fight fans have always longed for a time when all the best fighters in the business operated under one roof, and a pairing between the two organizations would certainly bring that dream closer to reality.
Ultimately, the questions moving forward for the UFC are numerous and we want to know what you would do:
- Go back in time and sign Fedor, regardless of the cost?
- Join forces with Strikeforce?
- Sign Fedor once his contract expires?
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