M-1 GLOBAL ISSUES NEW STATEMENT REGARDING UFC NEGOTIATIONS‏

[keithlewis]

M-1 GLOBAL ISSUES NEW STATEMENT REGARDING UFC NEGOTIATIONS


Due to a large amount of media requests, M-1 Global Co-Owner and President Vadim Finkelchtein has released the following statement in response to questions regarding an update on the status of contract talks between Fedor Emelianenko and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.


"There have been recent reports stating that talk between M-1 Global and the UFC regarding Fedor fighting in the UFC have ended. Like some of the other reports that have surfaced, this is incorrect.

"It is unfortunate that so much incorrect information has been leaked to the public. It is M-1's preference not to negotiate in public and we are unsure why people claim that Fedor and M-1 turned down a six fight, $30 million contract to fight in the UFC when no such offer was ever made.

"Even though Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White did not meet with Fedor in person on Tuesday, they were represented over the phone. Outside of representatives of the UFC and M-1, no other company was represented during our negotiations. Since we did not go to the media with details of the meeting and only responded to the erroneous reports, we are unsure how these reports started.

"It's unfortunate because these type of tactics will not help ensure that M-1's talks with the UFC are fruitful. M-1 Global is still interested in continuing to negotiate with the UFC and while we are fielding offers from other major promotions, nothing has been decided. It is our hope that the UFC will remain in active dialogue with us as we try to find ways for us to work together. All we are asking is that there is give-and-take in the negotiations and that they are not one-sided."

- Vadim Finkelchtein, Co-owner/President
M-1 Global