Tim vs Fedor ?

[Stout1]

TweetEmelianenko's manager: Sylvia fight not signed
by Dann Stupp [mmajunkie] on Apr 09, 2008 at 10:03 am in - News -
Although the two fighters appear close to an agreement, heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) and Tim Sylvia (24-4) have not signed bout agreements for their reported July fight.

Sherdog.com first reported the bout, learning of the fight directly from Emelianenko. The fight is expected to be held under the Affliction banner and will likely air on Mark Cuban's HDNet high-definition station.

However, Vadim Finkelstein, Emelianenko's manager, threw up a caution flag and said the details are still being worked out. Additionally, a representative for Sylvia confirmed the pending status with MMAjunkie.com (MMA blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps - MMAjunkie.com) overnight.

As Finkelstein told m1mixfight.com: "At the moment we can't certainly say the bout will take place come July because the contract is not signed. However, the both parties are involved in the negotiation process and we are about to break the finishing tape although we haven't come to an agreement concerning every detail as of yet."

While Finkelstein makes the bout sound promising, it's worth noting that the Russian can be a shrewd negotiator. As MMAjunkie.com previously reported, EliteXC offered Emelianenko a four-fight deal that would have paid a minimum of $300,000 to $500,000 per fight. However, EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw later confirmed that Emelianenko and his camp wanted $2 million per fight.

Those tough practices have also apparently slowed a potential deal with the UFC, with whom Finkelstein and Emelianenko have on-again, off-again negotiations.

Emelianenko, 32, held the PRIDE Fighting Championships' heavyweight belt for more than four years before the organization's eventual demise this past summer.

Although he's defeated some of the most notable fighters in the sport, he's fought few (if any) top-tier guys in recent years. He last fought in December at the Yarennoka! New Year's Eve 2007 show, where he defeated 7-foot-2 Hong Man Choi with a first-round armbar.

Sylvia would arguably be his toughest test since an August 2005 fight with Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic.

[FUZO]

TweetI HAVE TO GO WITH SILVIA,Emelianenko HASNT FOUGHT IN OVER A YEAR AND IF YOUR NOT FIGHTING YOUR PROBABLY NOT TRAINING HARD. BUT HOPE IF IT DOES HAPPEN ITS A GOOD FIGHT

[tn94z]

TweetFedor trains constantly because his main concern is his Sambo fighting. Although Sylvia is pretty good, I think he will get owned in this fight. I mean you are talking about the #1 HW in the world. Sylvia has fought anyone like Fedor, including Randy.

[tn94z]

TweetAlso, Fedor fought on New Years

[O2BESOHUGE]

TweetSILVIA WILL GET OWNED LIKE HE DID WHEN RANDY FOUGHT HIM

[Schiznick]

TweetI hope Sylvia gets his butt handed to him... anyone heard how theyre going to show this fight? HDNET hasnt been avail on my cable company in the past.