*** Official Yarennoka! discussion thread (Fedors return)***

[Evan]

The fight card for Yarennoka! — a New Year’s Eve show taking place in Japan that’s headlined by longtime PRIDE Fighting Championships heavyweight title-holder Fedor Emelianenko — has been set.

The event has been dubbed “Fedor Returns” by HDNet, which broadcasts the entire card live on Monday at 6 a.m. ET.

The show takes place at the Saitama Super Arena, a 22,000-capacity multi-purpose venue near Tokyo in Saitama, Japan. It’s being organized by former staffers of PRIDE with support from K-1, DEEP, and M-1 Global, an organization that was recently purchased from Emelianenko’s manager and restructured by a group of American investors. Emelianenko, then the world’s top free agent, signed a long-term deal with the organization in October.

Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, recently launched HDNet Fights on HDNet, an all-high-definition cable station for which he serves as chairperson. During a Dec. 15 HDNet Fights show, Cuban said he wants HDNet to become the single biggest destination for televised MMA. The station has already inked broadcast deals with some of the country’s top regional promotions. The Yarennoka! broadcast could be its biggest score yet.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) will post live, round-by-round updates and final results from the event on Monday morning.

The full fight card includes:

Mike Russow vs. Roman Zentsov
Luiz Azeredo vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Murilo Bustamante vs. Makoto Takimoto
Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Gilbert Melendez
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Kazuo Misaki
Hidehiko Hasegawa vs. Hayato “Mach” Sakurai
Shin’ya Aoki vs. Bu-Kyung Jung
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Choi Hong Man

[Evan]

The most amusing thing to me is how M-1 is so clueless and disorganized the fans knew about this before they did.

[LEONARD]

LOL...odd indeed...

This replays at 2 pm central time on the 31st also, if you don't want to get up at 5 am to watch...

[Evan]

I would have gotten up at 5am had it been the rumored card of 2 or 3 weeks ago and if they had Gomi. I will just let the DVR grab it.

I still want to see Fedor under any condition.

Does anyone have any clue whats going on with Gomi? When I first heard about this card I simply assumed he would be on it.

[dallaskd]

i wanted JZ :depressed

[oligarchy]

I wanted to see Aoki and JZ :(

I also have no clue as to what is going on with Gomi. I wish he would go to the UFC, but I think he said he doesn't want to come over.

The card looks pretty good. I find it funny that some people hate the UFC that much to call this card the best. They call out the UFC for putting cards with big names, but not big opponents. Isn't that what this card exactly is? Anyway, I'll tape it and watch it at my convenience because I am not getting up at 5 and I might not be home at 2.

Edit: Maybe I am being harsh, but I feel disappointed.

[cornbread]

Check out the size difference between Fedor and Choi.
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=702558

[Evan]

I hope he Fedor gets smashed.

[cornbread]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfCuHsxLuLM

[Evan]

I'm dying to know what happened...

I am avoiding all MMA sites...

I'm here at work...

I get to see it in 4 hours...

I have been whipping LEONARDS arse all day with text messages about the fight...

It passes the time...

[dallaskd]

ohh i was about to post my comments but ill save untill tommorow after Evan watches. btw...it was a great card! overall better than UFC 79

[cornbread]

Don't look at that youtube link if you don't want to know results yet.

[desflood]

I don't care how skilled I am and how much you offer to pay me - I'm not fighting somebody so much bigger than I am that my eyes are level with their nipples. No way.

That's why Fedor is considered the best in the world - nobody else is that brave.

[dallaskd]

Nick Diaz was offered a fight with Shinya Aoki at the Yarennoka! NYE event after JZ Calvancanti had to drop due to injuries, but was forced to decline the invitation because he it was deemed that one week was not enough time to prepare.

http://mmafightline.com/news/2007/1227/nick_diaz_311997.shtml

[Evan]

discuss away. I just saw it.

Will post some comments when I have more time.

Thanks for being considerate!

[Mr Dio]

Very unimpressive overall....very.....

[Evan]

That fight was a complete joke. Even my girlfriend called it a freak fight...lol

I cannot believe how some people are legitimizing this fight (other sites) because Fedor took some hits.Are our expectations for Fedor so low now thats all we expect from an opponent of his? They can simply manage to hit him? I can't believe this is where we now stand with him. 2005 was a long time ago and this myth of his is now boring. You can argue Hunt was a solid match up but I am not so sure 1 win against Cro Cop means much. 1 win does not make a fighter.

Choi is a complete farce who is CLEARLY getting much worse with age due to that weird growth disease of his. From what I have read of Choi this may have actually been a decent a few years ago.

Choi just laid out that tree trunk arm giving it to Fedor to take.

Meh.....what a joke...

[Evan]

Ah it appears a certain MMA website is still copying and pasting stories.....

[polandprzem]

So why there is no chance for Fedor to fight Chuck or Rampage?
Then he could earn more respect from you?

[Evan]

Fedor needs to fight true talent in his own weight class.

[Evan]

That's why Fedor is considered the best in the world

I would argue this now. We simply do not know anymore. The same was said about Frank Shamrock once upon a time and he disappeared from true competition as well.

It just frustrates the hell out of me that this is the career path he has taken. If this BS was just sprinkled in to make Japanese fans happy well then ok....I can see it.

[polandprzem]

Fedor needs to fight true talent in his own weight class.
And age ...

[polandprzem]

Choi lost to Bonyasky, Le banner (twice) Mighty Mo and now to Fedor.


Hmm what are Filipovic plans now? He lost 2 in a row now in MMA.

And what can Fedor do now?

[oligarchy]

Fedor needs to fight Heavyweights like Couture, Arlovski, Sylvia, Kongo.

[Mr Dio]

Call me all the names you'd like but I STILL see Brandon Vera getting a shot at & winning a UFC title within maybe, the next 13mos-14mos.

[TheTruth]

dumbass, idiot, retard, fuckhead, douchebag, dogfucker,

[Evan]

Call me all the names you'd like but I STILL see Brandon Vera getting a shot at & winning a UFC title within maybe, the next 13mos-14mos.

He may be moving to LHW.

[polandprzem]

:lmao

but I won't call names to the guy I owe something :)




ymm - I saw the highlights of the rampage lindland fight. Not much impresive.

All in all I would have to see the fighters in action to judge who is better and who worse. I saw not big sample cosideratning the UFC fighters which are on PPV. realy hard to find anything on the internet.

[dallaskd]

fedor is never going to fight rampage. get over it.

[polandprzem]

rampage would not win with fedor.

In what scenario rampage would have chances?
Fedor in nearly perfect on the ground while jackos have problems (in what I've seen)

[dallaskd]

First of all it's not going to happen. If for some odd reason Rampage left UFC and moved up from 205 to fight Fedor....

Fedor would pick him apart on the feet. Rampage could hope to get in a clinch and get a take down and ground and pound like he did to Henderson for a decision. If your trying to think of opponents to take down Fedor, your starting in the wrong place.

[polandprzem]

We sould be talking about this main event. The thred one.

I just saw the Rapage -shogun fight from 2005. Rampage got destroyed.


umm - all in all good to see some fights

[Evan]

Fedor Vs Rampage is not the right type of fight.

[polandprzem]

As we are here

What is the right type of fight?

To me it is important to find a way to win whoever you are matched up with.

Even fighting a guy who is more then a foot taller then you


Good niteee

[dallaskd]

There is not many good match ups for Fedor outside of the UFC HWs. You can throw him Barnett, Monson, Soszynski, Rothwell, his brother... Randy ?

Fedor isn't going to find much competition in his current situation. But it is one he chose.

[dallaskd]

Kharitonov, alistair overeem, ricco ?

[Evan]

As we are here

What is the right type of fight?

To me it is important to find a way to win whoever you are matched up with.

Even fighting a guy who is more then a foot taller then you


Good niteee

Somebody in his weight class and is at least a top 20 fighter.

[Evan]

There certainly isn't a huge pool of top fighters for him to chose from but there are a few fights out there he can readily take to at least shut people who have been critical of his opponants for the last 3 years. I mean cmon…Choi? There isn't 50 people better for him to chose from? If someone with deep knowledge of international heavyweights had been asked to rank the top 50 heavyweights 2 months ago he would not have been on the list.

But rumor has it he is fighting Rizzo next around April and then his team can buy him time until December yapping about fighting Randy which will never happen.

Just to be clear though…my issue is more with his management team than Fedor. I am not sure he has any clue people are being critical of his fights. He is probably being told this is what people want to see. He can only fight who is in front of him and he has done so with perfection.

Somewhere deep down I am sure his competitive fire is asking why such people are in front of him though...

[LEONARD]

Yarennoka “Return of Fedor”
Introduction of fighters (Rage Against the Machine…odd choice)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xVRpTQyOyr8

Fedor vs Hong-Man Choi
(mpg) - http://www.mediafire.com/?3dporsyoftb
(streaming) - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wpul_fedor-vs-hongman-choi-yarennoka_sport

Roman Zentsov vs Mike Russow
(streaming) - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wpr3_roman-zentsov-vs-mike-russow-yarenn_sport

Misaki vs Akiyama
(avi) - http://www.mediafire.com/?d41lxyry1j8
(streaming) - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wqyg_kazuo-misaki-vs-yoshihiro-akiyama-y_sport

Melendez vs Ishida
(avi) – http://www.sendspace.com/file/5a61im
streaming
Pt 1 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=uJU85NgOsGA
Pt 2 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=2PofS6vAeCo
Pt 3 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=1JqqUO7U184

Aoki vs Jung
Pt 1 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dt9ICsmUEmY
Pt 2 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=XamVDSaQG5E

Makoto Takimoto vs Murilo Bustamante
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3x16a_murilo-bustamante-vs-makoto-takimot_sport

Haven’t seen these 2 online yet…can search dailymotion and/or youtube if you want to look for them later.
Hayato Sakurai vs Hidehiko Hasegawa
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs Luiz Azeredo

--------------------------------------------

K-1 Dynamite
Kid vs Yahya
(avi) - http://www.mediafire.com/?d2nvbnne9gh
(streaming) - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wyul_kid-yamamoto-vs-rani-yahya-k1-dynam_sport

Joachim Hansen vs Kazuyuki Miyata
(avi) – http://www.mediafire.com/?6ie2nce1tgp

Sakuraba vs Funaki
http://www.dailymotion.com/bawzz/video/x3wqof_sakuraba-vs-funaki-dynamite-2007_sport
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wqqb_kazushi-sakuraba-vs-masakatsu-funak_sport

Bob Sapp vs Bobby Ologun
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wqne_bob-sapp-vs-bobby-ologun-k1-dynamit_sport

Ikuhisa Minowa vs Zulu
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wrqt_ikuhisa-minowa-vs-zulu-k1-dynamite_sport

Melvin Manhoef vs Yousuke Nishijima
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3wra1_melvinmanhoef-vs-yousuke-nishijima_sport

Hideo Tokoro vs Kiyoshi Tamura
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkNLEFeT8Nw
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5smkMWjkRMw

[Evan]

LEONARD! Give us your thoughts on it.

Here is fiveouncesofpain.com with pound for pound rankings. I think this is about right.

"5. Fedor Emelianenko - I really struggled with this. Personally, I believe Fedor is the best fighter in the world. But a fighter needs to fight and a top ten fighter should be fighting other top ten fighters, not freak show acts (Hong-man Choi). Fedor destroyed Choi at Yarennoka, but he was supposed to. In my mind, the win is just enough to prevent him from dropping too far."


He could easily be back to number 1 with a short series of solid matches.

[oligarchy]

So, what happens if Tim destroys Nogueira? That's the thing I've thought about. Does that add legitimacy to Tim or take away the pedestal from Fedor? I guess it doesn't technically prove anything for Couture (because we can't use MMA math). Everyone ranks Fedor based on his wins against Cro Cop, Hunt, and Big Nog. So Cro Cop isn't what anyone thought and Hunt won't be in the UFC fighting. So Nog is the only one left..

[oligarchy]

Also, regarding the event. I had some thoughts/comments.

I can't believe I am actually saying this, but I think I would actually rather hear Bill Goldberg than Frank Trigg.

Rogan+Goldy > Trigg+whoever the hell it was


The fights were decent, but some people are making them out to be the greatest.
Misaki and Akiyama was pretty slow, but no yellow cards? You should already know why.. Good win for Misaki, but he almost lost.
I thought the fights were based on the "whole fight"? What the hell happened with the Bustamante fight? He controlled the whole fight, but got caught. He held on, and then reversed position at the end of the fight. That's a loss?
Melendez needs some take down defense and needs to time his knees to the takedowns. Ishida was pretty quick though and good grind out win. Not much damage from either side, but Melendez looked out of his element -- like he didn't know what Ishida was going to do. (Did he even watch any tape?)

Do some of these people train for the people they are fighting? I don't just mean for this event, but there are tons of events.

How do people not know Fedor is going to try an armbar every chance he gets? When people are wrestlers, why don't people learn some takedown defense? You don't have to be a wrestler to have good takedown defense. Chuck is a good example. (and don't tell me Chuck IS a wrestler, he wrestled some in college but never won anything) He PRACTICES his stuffing takedowns. BJ Penn is another example of great takedown defense.

[Evan]

I think its been so long since they fought it doesn't matter anymore.

But regardless.... Timmeh beating Nog is so huge for him. As much as people bag on Timmeh (like me) at least he is frequently fighting legit fights.

[LEONARD]

Fedor's fight was what it was...now he can move on and fight some real opponents in 2008...

Can't believe Melendez lost...would've liked to have seen another round in that one.

I need to re-watch Akiyama vs Misaki...they never showed a replay...was curious to see if Akiyama's knee was down when he was kicked. Weird fight and weird post-fight scene...

Aoki almost screwed around and got armbar'd...hellacious armbar defense by him though. Nice showing by Jung on VERY short notice...and his mma debut.

How can Fedor's training partner be SOOOOOOOO bad on the ground?? It seems impossible...

[Evan]

Trigg is good with cue card but not so great live.

[Evan]

Can't believe Melendez lost...would've liked to have seen another round in that one. ..

Melendez brought to the core my biggest complaints with ropes. I can't stand it when people fall out of them and start reaching for them or when they reset them in the middle. He looked so lost without a cage to lean against and kept grabbing for those ropes. I hate ropes. Had that been in a cage he would have won I think but that’s no excuse.

But the darn presentation looks soooooooooooo much better without a cage. They way the light bounces off a white canvas without a cage obsctructing the view is simply amazing. Everything looks so much grander. Imagine Chuck and Wanderlei in the PRIDE ring instead of the octagon. It would have been an all timer.

[oligarchy]

Fedor's fight was what it was...now he can move on and fight some real opponents in 2008...

Can't believe Melendez lost...would've liked to have seen another round in that one.

I need to re-watch Akiyama vs Misaki...they never showed a replay...was curious to see if Akiyama's knee was down when he was kicked. Weird fight and weird post-fight scene...

Aoki almost screwed around and got armbar'd...hellacious armbar defense by him though. Nice showing by Jung on VERY short notice...and his mma debut.

How can Fedor's training partner be SOOOOOOOO bad on the ground?? It seems impossible...

Akiyama had one foot up and his knee was still touching as Misaki started the kick, but did have the knee off the ground as he was hit. It's close and could be disputed, but I slow-mo'd that mofo like 10 times. Two-point contact when the kick actually hits. Aside from the fact, who is going to reverse the decision even if he was on the ground?

Forgot about the Jung fight. He looked SOLID against Aoki and for his first outing.

[LEONARD]

Melendez brought to the core my biggest complaints with ropes. I can't stand it when people fall out of them and start reaching for them or when they reset them in the middle. He looked so lost without a cage to lean against and kept grabbing for those ropes. I hate ropes. Had that been in a cage he would have won I think but that’s no excuse.

But the darn presentation looks soooooooooooo much better without a cage. They way the light bounces off a white canvas without a cage obsctructing the view is simply amazing. Everything looks so much grander. Imagine Chuck and Wanderlei in the PRIDE ring instead of the octagon. It would have been an all timer.

Yea...pros and cons of both.

I thought the IFL's 5 rope setup looked pretty slick...maybe it was because it was in HD though. Those ropes didn't give much...


Akiyama had one foot up and his knee was still touching as Misaki started the kick, but did have the knee off the ground as he was hit. It's close and could be disputed, but I slow-mo'd that mofo like 10 times. Two-point contact when the kick actually hits. Aside from the fact, who is going to reverse the decision even if he was on the ground?

Forgot about the Jung fight. He looked SOLID against Aoki and for his first outing.

Cool...I hadn't gone back to watch it. I thought it was odd that they never showed a replay. I knew it was close. That was a brutal kick across the nose. That whole building wanted Akiyama to lose, so I knew nothing would be done even if it was illegal...

[Evan]

Yea...pros and cons of both.

I thought the IFL's 5 rope setup looked pretty slick...maybe it was because it was in HD though. Those ropes didn't give much...


Hell yeah they did look good. Nice gray.

I need to see the whole thing. I switched over to UFC 79 and kept up with the IFL WGP on my laptop.

UFC needs to go to white floors....just go ahead and steal it from PRIDE. Blue looks AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!

[Evan]

By: Ben Fowlkes Category:

In case you haven’t heard, Fedor Emelianenko won his circus fight with Korean giant Hong Man Choi in the Yarennoka New Year’s Eve show. The outcome was never really in doubt, especially when you consider that Yarennoka changed the rules for this bout to ban knee strikes, one of Choi’s best and only weapons.The fight took less than two minutes and resulted in a fairly comedic but utterly meaningless armbar.

Now that it’s over, I can’t help but wonder what’s going through Fedor’s mind. Is he sitting around some Japanese hotel room right now, watching senseless game shows and trying to avoid looking at himself in the mirror? Does he periodically feel sad for no explainable reason, and does this sadness linger until he checks his bank account balance? What does he tell himself about what he’s become?

It’s not that I don’t understand why a Russian fighter who grew up so poor he had to share a coat with his brother would sell out the first chance he got, which is what Fedor has done, let’s just admit it. As The Million Dollar Man used to say, “Everybody has a price” (yes, most of my life philosophy comes from late 80’s-early 90’s pro wrestling).

But the difference between Fedor and the rest of us is that Fedor didn’t have to sell out to get rich. Fedor had a choice, and now he has to live with the one he’s made.

Whatever rumor you believe about how much the UFC was offering Fedor to sign on and fight Randy Couture, you have to think it was a lot of money. We’re talking somewhere in the millions, after contracts and bonuses and sponsorships are factored in. But Fedor turned that down, or rather, his management team did. They turned it down so he could fight in M-1, which was probably a better deal for his management team, and which currently only exists in the form of a Fedor rental operation.

In other words, Fedor is being used. That’s not so bad, I suppose. Every fighter gets used to some extent. It’s been that way from Jack Dempsey to Mike Tyson. But Fedor is doing it at the expense of his legacy, his reputation, and maybe his dignity.

Honestly, does anyone consider a victory over Hong Man Choi — a man with only one previous MMA bout — to be a serious accomplishment for someone who is supposed to be the world’s best heavyweight? In the post-fight press conference Fedor again mentioned how much he’d like to fight Randy Couture, but by walking away from a UFC contract he’s already essentially turned that fight down.

At some point, Fedor has to stop and ask himself how much money is enough. How much is it worth to squander great potential in matchups that amount to little more than practical jokes? How much is it worth to be remembered as the guy who might have been great? I hate to say it, but right now it looks as though greed — either on the part of Fedor, his management team, or both — is destroying what could have been a legendary career, and that’s the worst part.

If Fedor wasn’t so talented, it wouldn’t matter. He could take part in any number of matches that blur the line between pro wrestling and pro fighting, and I wouldn’t say a word. He could fight a circus bear and it would be just good clean fun.

But this is Fedor. This is “The Russian Last Emperor”. This is the one-word name that has come to mean something in the world of MMA. If things don’t change very soon, how much longer will we be able to say that?

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/02/fedors-latest-victory-a-hollow-acheivement/#comment-9982

[polandprzem]

http://i13.tinypic.com/82nfhpe.gif

[IX_Equilibrium]

Watching this reminded me of why I never cared for PRIDE.

[polandprzem]

By: Ben Fowlkes Category:

In case you haven’t heard, Fedor Emelianenko won his circus fight with Korean giant Hong Man Choi in the Yarennoka New Year’s Eve show. The outcome was never really in doubt, especially when you consider that Yarennoka changed the rules for this bout to ban knee strikes, one of Choi’s best and only weapons.The fight took less than two minutes and resulted in a fairly comedic but utterly meaningless armbar.

Now that it’s over, I can’t help but wonder what’s going through Fedor’s mind. Is he sitting around some Japanese hotel room right now, watching senseless game shows and trying to avoid looking at himself in the mirror? Does he periodically feel sad for no explainable reason, and does this sadness linger until he checks his bank account balance? What does he tell himself about what he’s become?

It’s not that I don’t understand why a Russian fighter who grew up so poor he had to share a coat with his brother would sell out the first chance he got, which is what Fedor has done, let’s just admit it. As The Million Dollar Man used to say, “Everybody has a price” (yes, most of my life philosophy comes from late 80’s-early 90’s pro wrestling).

But the difference between Fedor and the rest of us is that Fedor didn’t have to sell out to get rich. Fedor had a choice, and now he has to live with the one he’s made.

Whatever rumor you believe about how much the UFC was offering Fedor to sign on and fight Randy Couture, you have to think it was a lot of money. We’re talking somewhere in the millions, after contracts and bonuses and sponsorships are factored in. But Fedor turned that down, or rather, his management team did. They turned it down so he could fight in M-1, which was probably a better deal for his management team, and which currently only exists in the form of a Fedor rental operation.

In other words, Fedor is being used. That’s not so bad, I suppose. Every fighter gets used to some extent. It’s been that way from Jack Dempsey to Mike Tyson. But Fedor is doing it at the expense of his legacy, his reputation, and maybe his dignity.

Honestly, does anyone consider a victory over Hong Man Choi — a man with only one previous MMA bout — to be a serious accomplishment for someone who is supposed to be the world’s best heavyweight? In the post-fight press conference Fedor again mentioned how much he’d like to fight Randy Couture, but by walking away from a UFC contract he’s already essentially turned that fight down.

At some point, Fedor has to stop and ask himself how much money is enough. How much is it worth to squander great potential in matchups that amount to little more than practical jokes? How much is it worth to be remembered as the guy who might have been great? I hate to say it, but right now it looks as though greed — either on the part of Fedor, his management team, or both — is destroying what could have been a legendary career, and that’s the worst part.

If Fedor wasn’t so talented, it wouldn’t matter. He could take part in any number of matches that blur the line between pro wrestling and pro fighting, and I wouldn’t say a word. He could fight a circus bear and it would be just good clean fun.

But this is Fedor. This is “The Russian Last Emperor”. This is the one-word name that has come to mean something in the world of MMA. If things don’t change very soon, how much longer will we be able to say that?

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/02/fedors-latest-victory-a-hollow-acheivement/#comment-9982

Good article :tu

Well sport is all about busines these days.
Now it's a matter of a decision for sportsman how far he is commited to the sport and how much to the benefits he gets. (accually income)

[Evan]

Watching this reminded me of why I never cared for PRIDE.

Very much the same for me.

They had the exact same problems and good things as any given PRIDE event. Fairly amazing.

All it lacked was some fighters from Brazil.

[desflood]

By: Ben Fowlkes Category:

In case you haven’t heard, Fedor Emelianenko won his circus fight with Korean giant Hong Man Choi in the Yarennoka New Year’s Eve show. The outcome was never really in doubt, especially when you consider that Yarennoka changed the rules for this bout to ban knee strikes, one of Choi’s best and only weapons.The fight took less than two minutes and resulted in a fairly comedic but utterly meaningless armbar.

Now that it’s over, I can’t help but wonder what’s going through Fedor’s mind. Is he sitting around some Japanese hotel room right now, watching senseless game shows and trying to avoid looking at himself in the mirror? Does he periodically feel sad for no explainable reason, and does this sadness linger until he checks his bank account balance? What does he tell himself about what he’s become?

It’s not that I don’t understand why a Russian fighter who grew up so poor he had to share a coat with his brother would sell out the first chance he got, which is what Fedor has done, let’s just admit it. As The Million Dollar Man used to say, “Everybody has a price” (yes, most of my life philosophy comes from late 80’s-early 90’s pro wrestling).

But the difference between Fedor and the rest of us is that Fedor didn’t have to sell out to get rich. Fedor had a choice, and now he has to live with the one he’s made.

Whatever rumor you believe about how much the UFC was offering Fedor to sign on and fight Randy Couture, you have to think it was a lot of money. We’re talking somewhere in the millions, after contracts and bonuses and sponsorships are factored in. But Fedor turned that down, or rather, his management team did. They turned it down so he could fight in M-1, which was probably a better deal for his management team, and which currently only exists in the form of a Fedor rental operation.

In other words, Fedor is being used. That’s not so bad, I suppose. Every fighter gets used to some extent. It’s been that way from Jack Dempsey to Mike Tyson. But Fedor is doing it at the expense of his legacy, his reputation, and maybe his dignity.

Honestly, does anyone consider a victory over Hong Man Choi — a man with only one previous MMA bout — to be a serious accomplishment for someone who is supposed to be the world’s best heavyweight? In the post-fight press conference Fedor again mentioned how much he’d like to fight Randy Couture, but by walking away from a UFC contract he’s already essentially turned that fight down.

At some point, Fedor has to stop and ask himself how much money is enough. How much is it worth to squander great potential in matchups that amount to little more than practical jokes? How much is it worth to be remembered as the guy who might have been great? I hate to say it, but right now it looks as though greed — either on the part of Fedor, his management team, or both — is destroying what could have been a legendary career, and that’s the worst part.

If Fedor wasn’t so talented, it wouldn’t matter. He could take part in any number of matches that blur the line between pro wrestling and pro fighting, and I wouldn’t say a word. He could fight a circus bear and it would be just good clean fun.

But this is Fedor. This is “The Russian Last Emperor”. This is the one-word name that has come to mean something in the world of MMA. If things don’t change very soon, how much longer will we be able to say that?

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/02/fedors-latest-victory-a-hollow-acheivement/#comment-9982
MMA article of the year, IMHO. It says exactly what everybody wants to say when they're not articulate enough to say it. Too bad Fedor will never read it :(

[polandprzem]

Fedor on his blog said he will return to Japan and will have 3,4 fights ...

Do not know what that means.
is he training in japan?

[Evan]

He lives and Trains in Russia but mainly fights in Japan.

I am sure M-1 won't be too pleased to hear he doesn't plan on fighting in the US anytime soon...

[Evan]

MMA article of the year, IMHO. It says exactly what everybody wants to say when they're not articulate enough to say it. Too bad Fedor will never read it :(

Ben is becoming one of my favorite writers but he doesn't write much. :reading

[LEONARD]

Fedor has said that he wants to fight more in the US too...

Conclusion: nobody knows who, when, or where he'll fight in the next few years...just hope for the best...

[Evan]

Fedor has said that he wants to fight more in the US too...

Conclusion: nobody knows who, when, or where he'll fight in the next few years...just hope for the best...

Pedro Rizzo!

LEONARD's gonna kill me after all of this Fedya bashing..... :blah :ihit :dizzy

[Evan]

Its Fedor Bashing day it seems....

*********************************

From one top heavyweight directly to another
Former UFC heavyweight champion Sylvia was very candid in his response about the man generally regarded as the top heavyweight in the world, Emelianenko. Sylvia was not pleased about Emelianenko's recent decision to join the brand new M-1 Global instead of the UFC.

"I think he's being a (p-ssy)," said Sylvia.

Sylvia went on to say that he respects Emelianenko's skills -- just not his choice of opponents.

[polandprzem]

Well Emalienenko got few years left. He is not getting younger.

All in all I wish to see great fights this year.


btw. I found a great polish site of the MMA. many posters on it. It's getting realy popular sport in here. People got the knowledge. To me it's a matter of producing a time and finding motivation to read all of this.
Right now I do not know what to concentrate on :)

btw.btw. - I was on that forum site 2 years now and I didn't knew thay had the MMA sextion ...

[Evan]

I would love to see more Polish fighters in MMA. The more international it gets the better.

[polandprzem]

Its Fedor Bashing day it seems....

*********************************

From one top heavyweight directly to another
Former UFC heavyweight champion Sylvia was very candid in his response about the man generally regarded as the top heavyweight in the world, Emelianenko. Sylvia was not pleased about Emelianenko's recent decision to join the brand new M-1 Global instead of the UFC.

"I think he's being a (p-ssy)," said Sylvia.

Sylvia went on to say that he respects Emelianenko's skills -- just not his choice of opponents.

Even my love to Fedor is not that great not to say taht Silva said it right ...

[polandprzem]

I would love to see more Polish fighters in MMA. The more international it gets the better.

Yup - internationality gives more color to it and some kind of emotions.
We've got good fighters. But the promotion is weak. And many fights are illegal.
In poland many guys prefer to fight on the streets or on soccer stadiums (hools).
In poland is not that safe at night in cities.
Many young people drinking on discos in clubs and then they are changing into 'fighters'.

The MMA would have to go abroad and look for talents. I mean like nba scouts are finding in europe the MMA should also look for such way of additon new blood.

[LEONARD]

Pedro Rizzo!

LEONARD's gonna kill me after all of this Fedya bashing..... :blah :ihit :dizzy

Nothing wrong with Rizzo...he just smashed Monson who fought for the UFC belt less than a yr ago...the great Tim Sylvia couldn't finish him.

and people still talk about Fedor fighting Monson as a legit fight...so I'm cool with Rizzo...


Well Emalienenko got few years left. He is not getting younger.

All in all I wish to see great fights this year.

He's only 31...

[polandprzem]

31 is old


good niteee

[LEONARD]

MMA Math doesn't work with me but Rizzo is better than anyone else he has fought in a long time.

But why can't he make a move to fight Josh then worry about second hand garbage like Rizzo?

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude....I'm not using MMAmath...Rizzo is a legit opponent, even at this point in his career. Just ask Monson's face...
http://www.sunorganization.com/gfx/mma_monson_195.jpg

I don't see how styles makes much of a difference as far as being legit goes. Rizzo could probably KO/cut Fedor easier than Monson could sub him actually...and Rizzo probably wouldn't be a quick sub win for Fedor either.

and I'd love for Barnett to be his next fight, but that's not the talk just yet, for whatever reason. Barnett is off in japan doing pro wrestling or some BS like that... :bang

[Evan]

I reconsidered my comment and deleted it before you posted.

[Evan]

lol...I didn't even know Monson fought since AOW!

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=262

[Evan]

31 is old

This is the age when fighters reach their prime.

[oligarchy]

The difference in the two fights is that Monson WANTED to trade with Rizzo. He did NO such thing with Tim. It was shoot, then attempt to shoot again, and again, and again.... Tim also looked better on the ground than the ADCC champ.

We can argue the style differences because:
Tim's takedown defense >> Fedor's

Who's better on the ground between Fedor and Monson? I don't know, maybe advantage Fedor. Anyway, Monson WOULD get him to the ground and would get to work his ground game though. That's why people think it's a legit fight.

Rizzo would get taken down by Fedor and submitted quickly, or probably knocked out.

[Evan]

Agree with Monson, much more of an elite fighter than Rizzo regardless of what happened in their match up and in my opinion is a more of a difficult match up for Fedor. Facing Monson is the type of fight that will shut many people up or at least cool them down to a degree for the time being. Me included, but not if he fights Rizzo.

All of this backlash is simply people being frustrated. People want to see elite athletes suceed at high competition and get upset when their careers get derailed.

This happened with Mike Tyson when he left his old training crew and signed with Don King.
Randy Moss when he went to Oakland
Alex Rodriguez when he went to Texas

Tons more but you get the idea of what I am saying.

A couple years of questionable match ups have caught up with Fedor. Each and every single fight can be SOMEWHAT justified since he fought Cro Cop in 05 but taken as a whole its bizarre and weak. I honestly don't see how anyone can possibly consider him a top of the pile fighter anymore even in the current sorry state of MMA heavyweights. Except for sherdog writers who break out the knee pads for him since they blew it with the UFC. But is he a top fighter? Probably…but we simply haven't a clue anymore. He needs to prove it now.

He can get his career back on track pretty fast but it all depends on Fedor and his management. His team needs to quit focusing on Randy which is an impossible fight and they know it. If you owe a record or book publisher 1 more album or book you can't simply walk away regardless of how long its been. Same with Randy who is refusing to fight. (LEONARD you're going to owe me that $20!!!)Josh is out there and maybe he will indeed sign with Elite XC but M-1 should be making strides to lock him up for 1 fight sometime in the next 18 months. Again, they need to shut fans like myself up or their stock in him keeps depleting.

Personally I don't even care about him facing Randy but it would be nice, I would love to see him face Timmeh now.

[oligarchy]

He won't face Tim or Randy anytime soon

[Evan]

Nope. I dont' think he will ever face Randy. Randy has a nasty long legal battle ahead and will probably never fight again.

Timmeh...very possible down the road. 09-10 perhaps.

[LEONARD]

I don't think that Rizzo would be THAT easy to take down and submit. Rizzo seems to have re-invented himself somewhat. I expected Monson to dominate him (lost $90 on that fight... :lol )...

Either fight, Rizzo or Monson would be fine with me...regardless of styles, gameplans, etc...

[oligarchy]

I don't think that Rizzo would be THAT easy to take down and submit. Rizzo seems to have re-invented himself somewhat. I expected Monson to dominate him (lost $90 on that fight... :lol )...

Either fight, Rizzo or Monson would be fine with me...regardless of styles, gameplans, etc...

I thought you quit betting? :fro

[Evan]

He did, that was the last of his bodog account. lol

MMA Betting is a losing cause right now.

[oligarchy]

Yeah, I am sure most bookies and casinos probably love it though. All the people betting favorites are typically losing.

[LEONARD]

LOL...yep, Monson ended it for me...

[Evan]

LOL...yep, Monson ended it for me...

It was a sure thing if there ever was one.

[polandprzem]

This is the age when fighters reach their prime.

All in all IMO the body is not in it's prime no matter the experience the fightes have.
Plus the body took extreme :dizzy :bang :ihit during the fights, so to me 31 is accually old. Well yes it depends on phisic of each person indyvidually, but all in all the 31 year old body is not 27 year old body.

And Emelianenko does not look as fast as he was in 2005 ...
But his armlocks looks fantastic - what he did to coleman and randleman in 2004 was great.

[Evan]

All in all IMO the body is not in it's prime no matter the experience the fightes have.
Plus the body took extreme :dizzy :bang :ihit during the fights, so to me 31 is accually old. Well yes it depends on phisic of each person indyvidually, but all in all the 31 year old body is not 27 year old body.

And Emelianenko does not look as fast as he was in 2005 ...
But his armlocks looks fantastic - what he did to coleman and randleman in 2004 was great.

Not even remotely close.

Around 30 fighters have begun to master their skill sets and are far more experienced. MMA is very much a cerebral sport.

[polandprzem]

So, IYO Fedor can fight 9 or 10 more years?

That much left in him?

The MMA fighters fight 2 or 3 times a year. Being 31 is not much time to prove yourself against the best in overall opinion.
That is what I'm calling old in Fedors case. And he looks differently then Iceman who's 38.
I do not want to get into a fight :D so I give you what's yours - most of the fighters last longer then the body tells.

[Evan]

So, IYO Fedor can fight 9 or 10 more years?

That much left in him?

The MMA fighters fight 2 or 3 times a year. Being 31 is not much time to prove yourself against the best in overall opinion.
That is what I'm calling old in Fedors case. And he looks differently then Iceman who's 38.
I do not want to get into a fight :D so I give you what's yours - most of the fighters last longer then the body tells.

No fighting! We are just discussing something. :toast

I think Fedor will perhaps fight another 3 or 4 years but COULD fight much longer if he chose.

Fedor has never looked like he was in great shape but he has great cardio from what I have seen of his training.

LEONARD...You know more about Fedor than most....thoughts?

[dallaskd]

leonard is currently not in the house.

[LEONARD]

I think with Fedor it's going to come down to how much longer he WANTS to fight. I think 3-4 yrs is about right. Of course he could fight another 7, 8, 9 yrs...who knows. Definitely can't judge him by body type...

[Evan]

I could see another 3 or 4 of true MMA and Sambo well into his 40's.

[Evan]

good to see you haven't abandoned your hero dallaskd! Nice sig!

I am still sticking with Cro Cop and Franklin as rough as its been....

One fighter who has lost his spirit and the other shown to be he isn't the elite fighter he was made out to be in the "ad"...

But I am sticking with them...

sigh....

[polandprzem]

The problem in me is that everything must be perfect.
I need perfect career from a sportsman, I need a perfect age and perfect personality and that is impossible.

And I love competition. Sometimes I wish I could go on a ring and fight. Well it is dangerous to get hit hard in the head but all in all in the life I like compete.
So to me - I would love Fiodor to fight americans so the american nation of MMA would apreciate the guy.

As for next plans for Fiodor Jemieljanienko I do not know how much is it coming from him and how much from the managment. All in all he is not that stupid and the world right now is so small it is impossible that he does not know the accual situation is fight sports. maybe he spent too much time in japan :rolleyes
Don't know. I would have to take some MMA lessons, some articles etc.

btw. I would love to get into a MMA talk but right no I'm not able to do it. MMA is a sport and I know what sport is and I can start from there.

And yup - still Fedor is fighting in sambo, sooooo coooooooooooooooool :tu

[Evan]

The problem in me is that everything must be perfect.
I need perfect career from a sportsman, I need a perfect age and perfect personality and that is impossible.

You know what? I used to be exactly like that until a few years ago. I think what changed me was seeing MMA fighters in their late 30's whipping up guys on their 20's.

Randy Vs Tito for starters.

[polandprzem]

:)

Yup, well umm for most I love guys woth great attitude and character. I like Fedors the most. When the cameras take a look at him just before the bell which starts a fight he looks like he does not matter, like he is going on a shopping to the shopping mall with his wife ("damn again this shopping .... :rolleyes ")


:lol I've got to post here a pic of my collegue who looks like Fedor.


I've read just moments ago that MMA came from Vale Tudo - something that has accually no rules ...
I do not know if they televise it ?

On youtube they are compare or take an even sign (=) between vale tudo and MMA but it is not correct.

Cool - soon the MMA will be my second sport to watch. Previously it was boxing, but boxing is a kind of fight sport huh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-4jGqMH0gE
what do you think about that?

[polandprzem]

Probably you all have seen this but maybe some haven't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBNP3FE0D5M&feature=related

Ps. A Fedors thread :)


edit


Fedors interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5DsxH3Rkh8&feature=related

[dallaskd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-4jGqMH0gE
what do you think about that?

Rio Heroes. If i remember thats some no holds barred crap Jorge Pereira invented. I remember reading a Sherdog article covering it.

[Evan]

thats true. Its garbage. The amusing part is all of the MMA sites that point fingers judging "what is good and not good for MMA" readily accepted the adertising dollars.

Can't blame them I suppose but its amusing how fast ones morals change for a hundred dollars.

[polandprzem]

Few Fiodors pics when he was younger

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1660/img1044cd1.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4693/img1053fo7.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/928/img1162qb7.jpg

http://www.kickboxing.com/Articles/Images/Fedor-Emelianenko.jpg


I'm dowloading the best ufc fights I can get. They will be in my CD collection :)

Nice

[dallaskd]

wow nice outlets!

[Evan]

you sure thats him?

[dallaskd]

Im pretty confident its not

[polandprzem]

:lol

you guys ...


That's my friend. Of course on the first 3 pics :D

[dallaskd]

well i suppose he does resemble him

[polandprzem]

Yup, if you would saw him 'live' you would laugh. Similar gesture.

[Evan]

well i suppose he does resemble him

I was thinking it was a pic of a step brother or cousin.

He does sort of look like him.

[LEONARD]

Fedor meeting with Affliction and Couture
http://www.m1mixfight.com/news/2008/1/13/Fedor-to-Los-Angeles-meeting-Affliction-and-Randy-Couture/