Mark Cuban in Negotiations with Fedor
Posted by Kris Karkoski on Sep 3, 2007 at 12:44 pm ET11 Comments
The owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and billionaire Mark Cuban is reportedly in negotiations with Fedor Emelianenko. The news comes from Sherdog on the heels of other reports that suggested the fighter’s negotiations with the UFC did not go well. Cuban is currently the chairman of HDNet, a television station that currently airs extensive MMA events including Steele Cage, IFO, Ring of Fire, and American Fight League.
At this point it is hard to determine just how serious the negotiations with Emelianenko are with the dot-com mogul simply stating “I am in ongoing discussions with some of his people”.
Cuban stated that he intends to partner with existing organizations to add to HDNets extensive lineup of MMA coverage.
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Well, this can only be bad. If Cuban, or anybody but UFC, signs Fedor then we can be assured of 2nd rate bouts and never really know how he measures up. Thus far, with the exception of Jackson, the transitions have not been ideal. I think Fedor's well rounded game will translate well in the octogan, but fans may never know.
The best fighters are now in the UFC. Somebody just needs to ask Fedor: "Do you want to be a fighter?"
I dont really know where to stand on Fedors decision. You can tell he wants to fight…and its not all about the money because he hasnt signed with the UFC because he doesnt just want to fight in the UFC, but other place as well. But then again…..the UFC has the best fighters in the world….sooo its almost like he doesnt want to fight the best..and he is willing to take a pay cut because of it. Where does everyone else stand on this topic?? Ill tell you what… Cuban and Dana just need to fight it out for the contract, haha. Im not a big fan of either but I would love to see Cuban get his lil ass whooped.
There are a lot of fighters from Pride FC that were not signed by the UFC (hopefully)yet. Arona, Soko, lil nog, baby face..(all to name a few) who would all more than rough up a vast majority of the 'UFC top dogs'.
But I agree 100%, I hope Cuban stays the f*** out of this and the UFC snaps out of it, bends a little for what he wants in his deal and signs Fedor.
It would be a disaster if the UFC does not sign Fedor. As much as I want to see this guy fighting our guy Couture; we can't blame Fedor for accepting an offer that is far superior than the UFC's offer.
If Fedor signs on with a lower MMA organization; some people would pay money to see Fedor fight, but I don't think too many fans would be willing to shell out big bucks to see Fedor fight. The reason not too many people would pay money to see Fedor fight is because in lesser organizations there will be lesser fighters and these fights will not be appealing.
He's already fought the best in "Pride," remember???before the UFC bought Pride out,Pride had the best heavyweights with out a doubt,the UFC's heavyweights were nowhere near Fedor,I say the UFC needs to let the man fight anywhere he wants an if he loses to a lesser name in another organization ,lower his pay in the UFC to what the opponent was being paid in the lesser known organization,that should make him think twice…an as for Cuban,if he can get the MMA fighters to get Boxer's paychecks that would be a positive,a little competiton for the UFC again would be great since Pride ain't coming back..
Dana White needs realize that the question of whether or not The UFC has the best heavyweights or fighters , will always be there if he doesn't sign Fedor and any formitable fighters from Pride.
I dont know why everyone wants the UFC fighters to get paid like boxers. that is one thing I think Dana White is doing right. Most fighters make more than enough money to have a more than wealthy lifestyle. Look at boxing….. I dont know about everyone else….I dont want it to be anything like boxing! As far as Fedor fighting the best in the world, he has fought many of the best…I think he would lose to Couture. There are a lot of Heavyweights that would give him a run for his money. He is not invinsible.
F— Mark Cuban….I hate that f–….fixXer is right couture would give fedor a run for his money cuz couture should be number 1 right now…jus for the fact that recently he has had more fights then fedor and twice he was the underdog and twice he whooped ass…fedor fought lindland last and it wasnt that great of a fight, sure he is a champion but hes dropped off..its randy's time right now and no one can take that away from him not even "nog" when they fight next year….as far for fedor wanting to fight in other organizations…why? I dont understand why anyone would want to fight elsewhere when the ufc is the biggest stage in mma right now…even if cuban signed him wherever he went would not stand a chance at beating out the ufc at live gates or ppv sales.
Peace
True UFC has most of the best fighters but a stand needs to be taken (in terms of a UFC monopoly) and I hate the word but kudos to Cuban for this move. There is a clear and present danger that if there is no viable altnernative to the UFC that dana will continue to pay these warriors a sub-par salary. As mentioned above there are many good and great fighters still not signed and if Cuban wants to create something like pride, then all the motherfu*&in power to him.
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