Fedor a free agent again

[Stout1]

Tweethttps://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3280383

Don't consider a UFC fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture dead just yet.
With Couture embroiled in a nasty legal dispute with the UFC and Emelianenko tied to M-1 Global's MMA franchise, the heavyweight dream matchup has long seemed to be the world's best bout that would never happen.
Now it could. Apy Echteld, one of Emelianenko's agents, confirmed what a source close to the situation previously told The Magazine: M-1 Global and Emelianenko will part ways some time in the next week, making the Russian a free agent. Divorce negotiations are ongoing right now, with a formal announcement likely for in the next few days. "Officially, yes, Fedor will be a free agent," Echteld says.
Of course, the UFC would have to be willing to re-open negotiations with Emelianenko's management. Previous talks dragged on for almost a year before falling apart amid plenty of name-calling and finger-pointing from both sides. UFC president Dana White was vocal in pinning the blame on Emelianenko's team, saying he never once spoke or met with the fighter. Would the head of the UFC be willing to enter the Fedor fray again? "Absolutely, 100 percent, in a heartbeat," says White. "People think he's the best—I don't, not even close. But if it's somehow possible, I would make it happen."
Reached on Thursday, Echteld was caught off-guard when told that White would be willing to revisit last year's stalemate. But he echoed the UFC's willingness to talk and vowed to speak with White as soon as possible. "We're open to a discussion," says Echteld. "If everybody is willing to put a little wine in the water, then we have something to work with. There is space for this to happen."
A fight involving Emelianenko and Couture would also require considerable fence-mending between Couture and the UFC. Couture has cited the UFC's inability to sign Emelianenko as a key reason for his sudden retirement. And now the two sides are locked in a bitter, months-long battle about the duration and terms of Couture's UFC deal. Over the past month, the situation has seemed to only be deteriorating. That could change if Emelianenko becomes available.
"I like Randy, I genuinely like to think he's a good guy," White says. "As much as we've gone back and forth on this, I would sign Fedor and do everything possible to get Randy in the octagon with him. I'd do anything, because a., it's a great fight and b., I think Randy would smash Fedor."
Through his spokesman, Couture declined to comment.

[FUZO]

Tweetrany will do it as long as he's paid the big bucks

[solidground]

Tweeti think fedor would win, but a good fight for sure.

[jipped genes]

TweetUFC needs to throw huge $ at fedor. fedor v randy would be a massive giant PPV. its a fight as big as chuck v wandy when they were both champs

[tn94z]

TweetThe problem is that Randy says he won't fight Fedor in the UFC octagon

[tn94z]

TweetI'll rephrase that last post. Randy says that he doesn't WANT to fight Fedor in the ring or in the UFC. He wants to fight him in a cage in the US. Although Randy is starting to get on my last nerve and I like Fedor...I'll never bet against Randy!!

[FUZO]

TweetCMON RANDU GOT KINDA SCREWED BY DANA RIGHT OR I'M MISSING SOMETHING.RANDYS FIGHTS BRINGS IN MEGA BUCKS FOR DANA SO DANA HAS TO RETURN THE FAVOR

[tn94z]

TweetWell, I can see both sides. I mean Randy knew that he would be bringing in lots of money when he signed his contract. The way I look at it is he should stand behind the contract he signed. It is a whole screwed up mess. Randy said he didn't get a bonus after his fight and then the UFC came up and showed proof that Randy got the check and cashed it....so who knows? From all of the MMA forums I am a member of, the whole situation has hurt Randy's popularity. Everyone already disliked Dana because he didn't sign Fedor..but you can't make a guy sign you know? Its all about money and business on both sides.

[tn94z]

TweetLooks like the UFC and Fedor have agreed on a contract and the UFC is just waiting for Fedor to come to the US and sign it this week. If it is true, I think it is funny as hell. Randy shows his true character because the UFC doesn't sign Fedor the first time and is now in a big legal battle, and Tim Sylvia left the UFC saying that he wants Fedor as well. Now that all that has happened, the UFC might sign him..LOL!! But I am sure that the UFC would gladly let Fedor and Randy happen even though the legal battle is going on.

[Schiznick]

Tweet

Looks like the UFC and Fedor have agreed on a contract and the UFC is just waiting for Fedor to come to the US and sign it this week. If it is true, I think it is funny as hell. Randy shows his true character because the UFC doesn't sign Fedor the first time and is now in a big legal battle, and Tim Sylvia left the UFC saying that he wants Fedor as well. Now that all that has happened, the UFC might sign him..LOL!! But I am sure that the UFC would gladly let Fedor and Randy happen even though the legal battle is going on.

YEAH THAT ONE SOUNDS LIKE ITS GONA BE UP TO RANDY... HE STILL SOUNDS PRETTY BITTER TOWARDS THE UFC, BUT IF THEY END UP SIGNING FEDOR TO AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT, THEN HE WONT HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO SUCK IT UP